Three natives of the Isle of Lesbos, including publisher Dimitris Lambrou, filed suit in April to prevent the Gay and Lesbian Union of Greece (OLKE) from using the word “lesbian” to refer to gay women. They also sought to prohibit that use of the word in the media. The islanders claimed that calling gay women lesbians insulted the identity of the people of Lesbos. On Tuesday, 22 July, the court in Athens dismissed the case. In the ruling, Judge Maria Petsali said, “The controversial words at stake should not be seen as an insult to an individual’s personality, nationality or social standing, and should not be taken as an individual or collective insult to the people of Lesbos.”
Lesbos is best known as the birthplace and home of the poet Sappho ― a Lesbian in both senses of the word. The island is a popular vacation destination for lesbians, who flock to the capital city of Mytilene as well as the village of Eresos (Sappho’s birthplace).
The highlight of the trial was probably when one of the plaintiffs’ witnesses declared, “My wife is a Lesbian, my daughter is a Lesbian and I am a Lesbian,” provoking laughter from the gallery.
Lambrou promises to appeal the case.
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Read more:
A Greek’s Crusade to Protect His Island’s Name (Spiegel)
Lesbos islanders lose lesbian ban court case (Telegraph)
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