I know, I know. If we’re going to get technical about it, Jamie Babbit isn’t exactly a literary heroine. Because she’s mainly known for her talents as a film director and producer. But let’s not get too distracted by details. Jamie did write the story of the wonderful indie film But I’m A Cheerleader . Surely for that she more than deserves her fair share of BitchBuzz love. And not just because I’d love anyone who gives me an excuse to watch Clea DuVall and Natasha Lyonne making out.

But just in case you haven’t seen it, and this scenario only occurs in your dizziest daydreams (like it does on at least an hourly basis in my fantasies), let me give you a few further details. Although independently-produced, since its limited release in 2000, Cheerleader has become a modern cult classic, adored by gays and straights alike across the land.

Natasha Lyonne plays a naïve cheerleader sent to surreal sexuality rehab True Directions when her friends and family suspect that she’s a lesbian. Threatened with disownment from their parents if they don’t straighten up, the gay teen inmates of True Directions are forced to undertake a five-step therapy program towards heterosexuality, including simulating straight sexual behaviour and re-education of gender roles. (The girls do dishes and model wedding dresses in their pastel-pink quarters; the boys wear butch blue overalls, chop wood and tinker with cars).

Tongue-in-cheek and highly stylised, the film gently mocks a number of societal stereotypes and misconceptions about the correlations between sexuality, identity and image, and although definitely corny, the resounding moral of the tale about being yourself is so sincerely and sweetly done that you’ll be enchanted. I promise. Especially since the cast includes Kip Pardue, Michelle Williams, RuPaul and Heavenly Creature Melanie Lynskey.

Directed by Jamie Babbit’s long-term girlfriend, Andrea Sperling, the pair have since collaborated on a number of other projects. Their latest film, Itty Bitty Titty Committee, revolves around riot grrl and radical feminism and, fittingly, was filmed using an all-female crew. It has since bagged Babbit and Sperling an entire trophy cabinet of awards, from various queer film festivals around the world.

Ever since her first short film, Frog Crossing, in 1996, Babbit has consistently and unashamedly pioneered strong female characters, lesbian love stories and gender issues, without being pretentious, precious, militant or messianic about it. And for that, she is hereby inducted into the hallowed halls of heroines who warrant some serious BitchBuzz love.