Lesbian lesbians

I caught a bit of this doco last night that was talking about how some people from the island of Lesbos were going to court for the right to take back the term 'Lesbian' from the lesbians. I can see their point. It would be weird if calling yourself ‘Australian’ had the common ambiguity of also meaning homosexual.

Should there be any effort to call lesbians (homosexuals) something else? There are many perfectly good substitutes.

Maybe they should change the name of the island instead or call themselves Lesbosnians.
Whats the offical language in Lesbos? Is it english? I figured that lesbian was an english word and that other languages had their own word for it.

Yeah, good points. I think the official language of the island is Greek. And I think "Lesbian" is strictly an English adjective, but an adjective that originally meant "of Lesbos".

According to that Etymology site: Lesbian. 1591, from Latin 'lesbius', from Greek 'lesbios' meaning "of Lesbos."

So, I think, because the English word was derived directly from the Greek it's very similar.

I didn't think my first point was good. Funny, maybe. Good, no.
Since they are bitching about what is an English word and they are Greek speaking place thingie then I think we should form a coalition of English speaking countries and destroy them. They have no right telling us what words to use. This means war.

Not the Greek isle!

Yep,they just made the list. The list of 'things not permitted in Trevtopia'.

You false advertising son of a...

Who's a what now?

I think he's upset because there wasn't pages of oily lesbian porn. I figure that's the reason Tom has finally left.

very clever Andy. I think you conned a few people with that topic heading... i was just wondering how it was appropriate for the gentleman's club, and now i understand.

well even if they win the rights in court, to take back the name. the courts decision would not affect the whole world. besides people are stubborn and would continue using the word!

They sure would, Skyman. Good point. You should read up on the new cult—I mean, ‘organisation’ that Trev’s starting up. You’ll love it.

I'm back baby

Yeah the term lesbian came from that island for exactly the reason you think. Most of the greek city states considered it more than ok for male lovers to boink. They considered it a more pure love than that between a woman and a man because for the most part you weren't actually attracted to the young man, you did it because you liked the conversation etc etc... I.e. bs.

But on lesbos the same was true of women. Where as in most other greek states women were considered second class citizens and in some, like athens, where barely alowed out of the house (much like in radical islam) on lesbos they romped on with their fellow female companions! Hurrah!

Lets all have a large huzzah for the island of Lesbos!

So in short i don't see why they are trying to take back their name when its historical antecedant actually stood for original freedom for female sexual expression. Just say 'i'm from Lesbos' rather than 'i'm a lesbian'.

Why must you tie everything back to Islam Tom? I rather think you have a man crush on Mohammad... Amirite?

When did i bring it back to islam? I made an ambivilous reference to it in order to greater illustrate my point by drawing attention to a similarity in custom. No judgements nor opinions were offered (in that sentance)

There was a tone to your... erm, Arial size 10 print!