We are the Real Lesbians
Residents of the Greek island of Lesbos fight against the term 'lesbian' to describe a gay woman
A few residents of the Greek Island of Lesbos have launched a legal action against a homosexual organisation, claiming that only the islanders themselves have the right to call themselves 'Lesbians'.
Local activist, Dimitris Lambrou, has alleged in his blog that the use of this term by such organisations is a form of "mental and moral rape".
This claim has been dismissed as "totally ridiculous" by Evangelia Vlam, a spokesman for the Greek Gay and Lesbian Union, against whom the complaint has been lodged.
According to Mr Lambrou's website, the case is scheduled to be heard at the Athens Trial Court on the 10th of June 2008.
An Erotic Greek Poet
The word "Lesbian" as term for gay women derives from the Ancient Greek Poet, Sappho, who lived on Lesbos around 600 years BC.
Her writings focussed on her feelings towards other women she met and loved in a manner that, in today's world, would be described as 'gay'.
Only fragments of her works survive, but she is known to have produced several volumes of love poetry.
Sappho and Phaon by David Jacques-Louis (1748-1825)
→ Next Page: Discover the island in question, Lesbos
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