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Lesbian Women

Lesbian Women

The term lesbian is a 20th century construct used to describe homosexual women. Even though evidence of female homosexuality has been described in almost every culture, and in almost every time period, it is only recently that female homosexuals have been described as a group of people.

About Lesbian Women

The term lesbian has its roots in Greek history and the island of Lesbos, home of the 6th-century BCE female poet, Sappho. Sappho was in charge of a group of young women for instruction and cultural edification. Sappho wrote a lot about the daily lives of women, relationships and rituals. She focused on female beauty and often proclaimed her love for women. Until the 19th century, a Lesbian described someone from, or described aspects of the island of Lesbos.

Late in the 1800s, sexologists began to publish observations on same-sex desire and behavior, coining the term lesbian. As a result, women that now had an identity began to form sub-cultures in Europe and North America. Berlin was the lesbian capitol of the world between world wars, with over 50 clubs for lesbians even though homosexuality was illegal. The term lesbian became more widespread in the 1970s with the second wave of feminism.

Early sexologists based their characterization of lesbians on the belief that women who challenged traditional gender roles were mentally ill. This has caused some women who engage in homosexual behavior to reject lesbian or bisexual identities.

The way that modern society views lesbianism in the media suggests that society is both intrigued and appalled by women challenging traditional gender roles. It is the fantasy of almost every male in the United States to be the third wheel in a homosexual female relationship, while balking at the idea of a female construction worker or Harley-Davidson enthusiast. This just goes to show how gender roles can be a bit of a double standard.

Women who adopt the lesbian identity share experiences and form outlooks similar to ethnic identity, and are often unified by discrimination and the potential rejection from families, friends and society in general.

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Lesbian Women