People of Lesbos take gay group to court over term 'Lesbian'

A Greek court has been asked to draw the line between the natives of the Aegean Sea island of Lesbos and the world's gay women.

Three islanders from Lesbos - home of the ancient poet Sappho, who praised love between women - have taken a gay rights group to court for using the word lesbian in its name.

One of the plaintiffs said Wednesday that the name of the association, Homosexual and Lesbian Community of Greece, "insults the identity" of the people of Lesbos, who are also known as Lesbians.

"My sister can't say she is a Lesbian," said Dimitris Lambrou. "Our geographical designation has been usurped by certain ladies who have no connection whatsoever with Lesbos," he said.

The three plaintiffs are seeking to have the group barred from using "lesbian" in its name and filed a lawsuit on April 10. The other two plaintiffs are women.

Also called Mytilene, after its capital, Lesbos is famed as the birthplace of Sappho. The island is a favored holiday destination for gay women, particularly the lyric poet's reputed home town of Eressos.
"This is not an aggressive act against gay women," Lambrou said. "Let them visit Lesbos and get married and whatever they like. We just want (the group) to remove the word lesbian from their title."
He said the plaintiffs targeted the group because it is the only officially registered gay group in Greece to use the word lesbian in its name. The case will be heard in an Athens court on June 10.

Sappho lived from the late 7th to the early 6th century B.C. and is considered one of the greatest poets of antiquity. Many of her poems, written in the first person and intended to be accompanied by music, contain passionate references to love for other women.
Lambrou said the word lesbian has only been linked with gay women in the past few decades. "But we have been Lesbians for thousands of years," said Lambrou, who publishes a small magazine on ancient Greek religion and technology that frequently criticizes the Christian Church.
Very little is known of Sappho's life. According to some ancient accounts, she was an aristocrat who married a rich merchant and had a daughter with him. One tradition says that she killed herself by jumping off a cliff over an unhappy love affair.
Lambrou says Sappho was not gay. "But even if we assume she was, how can 250,000 people of Lesbian descent - including women - be considered homosexual?"

The Homosexual and Lesbian Community of Greece could not be reached for comment.

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How very stupid...

[SamAlex728]

Originally Posted by JSG

How very stupid...

Ok Janvier, that was an understatement.

[Owen]

I can understand their feelings, but there are many more female lesbians than Greek lesbians. I have a friend whose last name is Gay, and she never complains.

[ccdd]

I saw this and it really made me laugh! Although I suppose I should respect what they're trying to say I suppose...I mean, maybe it can get confusing on the actual island, and it's not like they're trying to change the world-wide definition, is it? But omg, so funny

I don't particularly like the term lesbian anyway - I usually use gay - so they're happy to have it if they want . But seriously!

(Oh, and I just love the term "certain ladies" )

[Vampyrecat]

I also have a friend whose last name is "Gay" as well, and she never complains.

I think this is just people trying to get their own way for a bit of extra control.

[SamAlex728]

Oh, that reminds me of a book I just read. It was a Steve Martin autobiography. Here's a quote from the book: "His name was Gaylord. It seem to fit his sexual orientation and his personality at the same time." When you guys said you had friends with that last name, that was the first thing to pop into my head.

[sdc91]

Even if they win . . . they really didn't win. No one's going to associate lesbian with Lesbos even if they're victorious in court.

Hah, nice try, though.

My aunties friends last name is 'Dyke'.

[CerahWright]

hey! i posted this too! under entertainment and technology. there is a link. i find it funny.

I guess i can understand why they would be upset.

[sexyalex]

Originally Posted by ccdd

I saw this and it really made me laugh! Although I suppose I should respect what they're trying to say I suppose...I mean, maybe it can get confusing on the actual island, and it's not like they're trying to change the world-wide definition, is it? But omg, so funny

I don't particularly like the term lesbian anyway - I usually use gay - so they're happy to have it if they want . But seriously!

(Oh, and I just love the term "certain ladies" )

can't these people find a hobbie or something to do. it's quite obvious they have nothing to do.

[LOVEjames]

The first time I saw this I thought it was hilarious. Because like, you just KNOW they're going to get so much tourism from straight college guys looking for lesbians.

[Hepcat]

I find this hilarious. It's so silly.

[Jeimuzu]

+ YouTube Video

[Steam Giant]

The word "lesbian" hasn't meant "homosexual female" for a very long time, no. However, it's common enough in society that it can't be changed. I mean, it'd be like asking people to make "gay" mean "happy" again, it's just not going to happen.

[Stargate]

the homosexual community could not be reached for comment? wtf, since when does the gay commnity agree enough on anything to give a comment

[LOVEjames]

Wait, we have a spokesperson or something? xD Is it like, an official spokesperson?

[Stargate]

I hope hes cute

[Alexander]

how about tom cruise?

silly what people worry about when there are starving people on every continent....

P.S. Welcome to EC, AntarcticStargate

[MsShelf]

I always wondered how the straight Lesbians felt about lesbian lesbians being referred to as lesbians...I suppose the lesbian Lesbians get a kick out of this lawsuit.