Censored on /s/Lesbians: An Appeal

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[–][deleted] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (6 children)

I didn't link it because of their opinions regarding female homoeroticism, I linked it because they're actual Lesbians, i.e. people from the island of Lesbos. I feel their idea of what "Lesbian" means should take precedence, since I'm not from Lesbos and they are.

And it's not just the people in the picture. Lesbians seem to have a hard time talking about themselves in general. News events regarding Lesbos seem harder to talk about. Like I tried to explain in OP, to me, it doesn't feel right to use it this way anymore.

[–]tuesday 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

The picture which accompanies the article is a bunch of conservative men. Whom I'm pretty sure are not lesbian :-)

There are quite a few boys around the world named Jesus. Would you say they are appropriating the name of Jesus Christ? Would you take it upon yourself to tell them to stop using the name if an atheist objects?

I'm really confused as to why you think a bunch of conservative men should be in charge of how lesbians refer to themselves, can you explain?

[–]lmaonope333 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (3 children)

the islanders are called lesbosans not lesbians so I dont see how it can be confused

[–][deleted] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (2 children)

I think this is not accurate. I think before the term was appropriated, "Lesbian" referred to Lesbos, things from Lesbos, etc. I have never heard the term "Lesbosan". This is what I see from wikipedia:

Before the mid-19th century, the word lesbian referred to any derivative or aspect of Lesbos, including a type of wine. (wikipedia)

[–]lmaonope333 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

so then it's not appropriative, as the Island of Lesbos was an important landmark for female gay culture

[–][deleted] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

As I explained elsewhere in another comment, I think that would be like saying "true Hawaiians" are people who are fans of a particular Hawaiian singer. It seems like it would be appropriation in both cases, and would interfere with islanders from either islands being able to just go about their business using their own name.

I don't think there's anything wrong with admiring Sappho (it seems it's been a pretty popular activity since she came into existence!), and I don't think there's anything wrong with wanting to know more about where she came from. I just think actually appropriating the name isn't right.