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Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

‘Lesbians’ Are Not Just From Lesbos, Court Rules

(CN) - A Greek court rejected the residents of the Aegean island Lesbos' request to ban use of the term "lesbian" to describe gay women.

Three residents of the Lesbos, who are also called Lesbians, claimed the term's adoption by the gay community defames residents of the island, which lies off the Turkish coast. They wanted to stop the Homosexual and Lesbian Community of Greece from using the term.

The Athens court said the word "lesbians" does not define the identity of island residents, so it can be used by gay groups worldwide.

"This is a good decision for lesbians everywhere," Vassilis Chirdaris, attorney for the Gay and Lesbian Union of Greece, told Reuters. "A court in Athens could not stop people around the world from using it. It was ridiculous."

Lesbos is the birthplace of ancient Greek poet Sappho, who sang of love between women and is said to have inspired the term "lesbian."

The island, also called Mytilene, has become a popular gathering spot for gay women.

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