New Zealand’s favourite lesbian comedian, Urzila Carlson, gives us the low-down on coming out and her plan to take over the world. Urzila’s coming out story is rather sweet and of course, with just the right amount of quirk: “I came out pretty late in life compared to what the kids are doing these days!” she says. “I only came out at the age of 26, my mother basically came out for me. “She told me that a friend of hers, Dr. Andy, had a gay son and that he knew he had a gay son because his son called him and told him, then she told me that if she ever had to get a call like that she’d be ok with that and that she just wanted to let me know, so I gave her a call the next morning and told her 'this is your official call' and she yelled 'WHY DIDN’T YOU TELL ME AGES AGO?!' And that’s my story.” It’s clear that family is an important part of life for the comedian, who hails from South Africa and she says the love and support of her wife and daughter never ceases to blow her away. Never one to beat around the bush, Urzila says that bullying is an issue close to her heart and one that all of society needs to focus on: “That shit needs to stop.” “If we can disarm and make sexuality a total non-issue then I think we are on the path to stop bullying.” Having taken the New Zealand comedy circuit by storm, Urzila says that’s really only the beginning, “Of course I’m still working on being the NZ Oprah, but I also want to go over and host the Emmy’s... so I’ll keep you posted with how that’s going.” Her hopes for the future of the LGBTI community? “Equality”, she says. “No better no worse, just equal.” - 31st December 2015