lesbians Not Lesbos


 When is a Lesbian not a lesbian? A court in Athens this month is being occupied with the case of big “L” versus little “l” lesbians. The isle of Lesbos in Greece, was home to a sixth century BC poet named Sappho who used to write ditties about women she’d like to bone. Subsequently in the 1700s the word lesbian started to be used to define women who liked (like love like) other women, ie: the Ellen DeGeneres’ of this world. The isle of Lesbos has long been a pilgrimage destination for the world’s lesbian population. Public demonstrations of affection between women are commonplace on the island’s many beaches and promenades.

But now a couple of big “L” Lesbians from the isle of Lesbos are saying enough is enough. They want their identity back from the suit-pant wearing aficionados and have filed suit against the Greek Gay and Lesbian Community to try and force them to drop the term as a reference to homosexual women. 

“My mother, my daughter, my sister are ashamed to call themselves Lesbian, meaning residents of Lesbos,” Yiannis Achlopitas, a Greek living in the Canadian city of Montreal told the court a couple of weeks ago.

Perhaps the answer is to not ask lesbians to change their affiliation but rather that the inhabitants of Lesbos choose another name to go by? What about: Lucky?

 

 

Digg This Del.icio.us Furl reddit Stumble it!