Talk:Lesbian

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[edit] Media portrayal of lesbianism

I have created a separate article for media portrayal of lesbianism, and gave link to media portrayal of bisexuality also.. It is a long list and table of content became too long, so i separated it from main article. If you feel otherwise please redirect that new page to here. Thanks. Vaas chan (talk) 09:49, 26 December 2007 (UTC)

I agree that a media portrayal section improves the article, but I have to disagree with the second sentence of the section and must suggest that it needs to be expanded or removed. The sentence reads: "Some writers have asserted this trend can lead to exploitive and unjustified plot devices." This statement fails to meet with wiki standards because "some writers" is too vague, and the opinion stated can only be attributed to a single writer whose credentials come into question. Also, I did my best to find out what constitutes an "unjustified plot device" but could not find any literature on the topic. Mrathel (talk) 16:58, 27 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Kerfluffle on Lesbos

The world 'Lesbian' designs the person born in the island of Lesbos. A current trial against the use for sexual orientation in the European Court of Human rights has given the reason to the inhabitants of the island of Lesbos and has forbidden the use of the word 'Lesbian' except to identify such people. For sexual orientation, the word 'Lesbian' has been forbidden and replaced by 'gay woman'.

Sources:

http://www.insaneabode.com/Articles/lesbian.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7376919.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/europe/7376919.stm

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24386702/

http://www.gadling.com/2008/04/30/greek-island-of-lesbos-sues-over-term-lesbian/

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080430/ap_on_re_eu/greece_lesbian_pride

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article3850185.ece

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1103ap_greece_lesbian_pride.html


--87.221.5.107 (talk) 14:23, 12 May 2008 (UTC)

There has been no ruling of the kind and these sources do not support the IP's assertion of one. Gwen Gale (talk) 15:35, 12 May 2008 (UTC)
There doesn't seem to be a ruling on the matter, as far as I can tell. I find it very doubtful that this case will be successful, but it may deserve some mention in the article. Anyway, I don't think you will get much support for removing the word from all of Wikipedia, and certainly not until the case has been decided. silly rabbit (talk) 14:36, 12 May 2008 (UTC)
(edit conflict) Good god, what is wrong with people... Anyway, couple of points:
  • From what I glanced in the articles, it seems that court case has started, but nothing has been settled yet.
  • Even if it had been settled, the European Court of Human Right does not hold dominion over the English language. It simply doesn't work that way. Lesbian is a word in the English language that refers to a type of sexuality. No court will change that, and I don't think Wikipedia is the kind of resource that tends to follow a prescriptive approach to language.
Mister Lambrou's ideas are either incredibly enraging, or profoundly silly. I'm going to stick with the latter for the sake of my blood pressure. risk (talk) 14:39, 12 May 2008 (UTC)
Forbidden? What happens if I use it? Well, go ahead and try to forbid it on Wikipedia. Since words in English and other languages often change throughout time, this will not be a successful venture for you. But go nuts. --Moni3 (talk) 14:39, 12 May 2008 (UTC)
The kerfluffle on Lesbos doesn't seem to be meaningful, might even be a publicity ploy coming at the opening of the tourist season in the Greek islands. As Moni3 says, the word lesbian (though even I don't use it all that much) is a widely accepted English language word which has had this meaning for at least 400 years (that we know about) and likely lots longer. Language does change and I wouldn't be started if, for other reasons, the word was dropped from English over the next 100 years but it's going to be with us at the very least for another generation. Gwen Gale (talk) 15:24, 12 May 2008 (UTC)
Whatever is wrong and insulting, it's wrong. It does not really matter for how much time it has been used. If it gets forbidden from literature, it will fall in desuse and slowly disappear. That is the idea. Because of the fact that the lawsuit was filled at European Level, it might well not apply as it is located in the states (right?). However, it will find its way there anyway. At least, for now, when searching in wikipedia for the word 'Lesbian' it should point to the disambiguation page, not to this article, don't you think? --87.221.5.107 (talk) 19:33, 12 May 2008 (UTC)
You are going to lead a crusade to keep people from using a word? What? Even honestly offensive words will still be used. There's nothing you or I can do to stop it. As the great and bisexual (who knows?) Eleanor Roosevelt said, "No one can insult me without my permission". You're allowing yourself to be insulted by the use of this word. Wikipedia in English will point to the article in which the word is used the most. In English, "Lesbian" directs to a homosexual woman. In Greek, it may not. That is a matter for Greek Wikipedia. --Moni3 (talk) 19:38, 12 May 2008 (UTC)
I would also say, the word is not "forbidden" in the EU and I still think this could all be a publicity scheme, Lesbos has been getting lots of attention in the English language media lately and this will only draw more girls to Lesbos this summer.[1][2] Gwen Gale (talk) 19:55, 12 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] California legalizing same-sex marriages

Thursday, May 15th, 2008 California Supreme Court decision that same-sex marriage is a constitutional right.

Wikipedia links: Same-sex marriage [20]news.yahoo.com, California's top court legalizes gay marriage & [21]nytimes.com, Gay Couples Rejoice at Ruling] Main article: Status of same-sex marriage (Kitchwidder (talk) 19:59, 22 May 2008 (UTC))

[edit] def. of lesbian @ the top of LGBT page

does it jive w/ this article? (not necess exclusively toward females?!?!) FzzQuizzl (talk) 02:38, 27 May 2008 (UTC)

Thanks. I've tried to tidy that up. Gwen Gale (talk) 02:48, 27 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Dispute over term "Lesbian"

Recent studies proved that Sapfo was NOT gay, she had a family and died - committed suicide out of her desire for a man. This should be communicated and the community should reconsider gradually the usage of the term for gay women. Perhaps the term ¨goman¨ /(gay woman could be established.

Following this, the Lesbians (i.e. the inhabitants and diaspora of Lesvos) feel humiliated by the use of their homeland name principally as a definition for sexual orientation. They demand to claim back the property of the name, a name bearing a long historical tradition and culture since ~1000 BC.

mikisv

21:14, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

Could you please cite some reliable sources? Thanks. Gwen Gale (talk) 21:15, 3 June 2008 (UTC)
Here's a source for the controversy on the island of Lesbos. I think this is noteworthy, perhaps in a one-sentence summary in History or in the very first paragraph. 24.177.128.131 (talk) 16:08, 4 June 2008 (UTC)
"Lesbos islanders dispute gay name" from BBC
This more balanced take from the Guardian notes it's not being taken seriously. Truth be told, it could have been a ploy to get Lesbos in the news and draw more tourists there in the spring and summer seasons. Gwen Gale (talk) 16:12, 4 June 2008 (UTC)
I suppose. I'm not a lesbian, in either sense, so I'm not really concerned. 24.177.128.131 (talk) 16:18, 4 June 2008 (UTC)
I guess that means we can end this thread then. Thanks. Gwen Gale (talk) 16:50, 4 June 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Grammar Error

"Calling an historical figure" should not use "an" but "a," "the" etc. Just wanted to point it out since the page is locked and I can't edit it :] Maggie 3:17AM PST 06/08/2008