'Lesbian' term affronts Lesbos, some say

Published: June 11, 2008 at 10:32 AM

ATHENS, Greece, June 11 (UPI) -- Using the term "lesbian" to refer to gay women is an affront to the Greek island of Lesbos' identity, three islanders told a court in Athens, Greece.

The plaintiffs asked the court to ban a Greek gay rights organization from including the word "lesbian" in its name, EuroNews.net reported.

A major holiday destination for gay women, Lesbos in ancient times was home to Sappho, an advocate of love between women.

"If something has been used for many centuries ... does that automatically make it right? It is still wrong, regardless," one of the plaintiffs told the court.

A spokeswoman for the group accused the plaintiffs of being homophobic, EuroNews.net said.

"We believe this term can be used both for someone from Lesbos and as a sexual connotation," she said. "There is nothing wrong about either. To us, their (the plaintiffs) behavior amounts to an infringement of human rights."

The court is expected to rule within six months.

© 2008 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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