Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

August 30, 2008 9:21:23 CDT

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Lesbos Islanders Sue Gays on Name

Posted May 2, 08 7:50 CDT in World 

(Newser) – Residents of the Greek island of Lesbos have decided that lesbianism is the love that must change its name, the BBC reports. Islanders, fed up with the word being used to denote sexual orientation, are suing a Greek gay rights organization with "lesbian" in its name and say if they succeed they'll take their campaign global.

The islanders are arguing that only residents and expatriates have the right to use the name—and claim that the better-known use of the word causes them "daily problems." The use of "lesbian" for gay women originated from the island's most famous resident, the 7th-century BC poet Sappho who expressed her love for other women in erotic verse.

Source BBC

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • Settling Out of Court Pays Off, Study Finds

    Aug 8, 08 6:18 CDT
    Settling Out of Court Pays Off, Study Finds Taking a civil lawsuit to court tends to be a costly mistake, the New York Times reports. Researchers have found that plaintiffs who reject out-of-court settlements end up with less money 61% of the time, losing an average $43,000. Defendants turned out to be right more than plainfiffs about going ahead with a trial—but the average cost of a bad call was a whopping $1.1 million.
    More »

  • Mini Me Sues TMZ Over Sex Tape

    Jun 27, 08 10:00 CDT
    Mini Me Sues TMZ Over Sex Tape "Mini Me" actor Verne Troyer filed a $20 million lawsuit yesterday against celebrity web outlet TMZ and the guy who distributed the infamous Paris Hilton sex tape for publishing portions of his own raunchy video, which he says was stolen. Troyer claimed his privacy and trademark rights were violated, TMZ reports. In addition to damages, Troyer is seeking to prevent further dissemination of the video, which features him and his former live-in girlfriend. More »

  • Elvis Photo Leaves Enquirer Building

    Jun 24, 08 9:00 CDT
    Elvis Photo Leaves Enquirer Building The National Enquirer's famous photo of Elvis Presley in his casket—the source of decades of rumors that the King was still alive—was shredded during anthrax decontamination at the mag's old headquarters, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports. The King's final image is now at the heart of a lawsuit between the developer who bought the building, which was contaminated by a 2001 letter, and the company hired to clean it. More »

  • Scientists Honing Gaydar

    Jun 16, 08 2:57 CDT
    Scientists Honing Gaydar Scientists are examining how homosexuality may affect everything from penis sizes to how one navigates new cities, reports the Los Angeles Times. Innate differences between gays and straights rooted in biology could lead researchers to discover the biological origins of sexual orientation. More »

  • LiLo KOs $1M Lesbian Confession

    Jun 2, 08 11:01 CDT
    LiLo KOs $1M Lesbian Confession Lindsay Lohan turned down a $1 million offer from OK! to come out on the magazine's cover, the New York Post reports. Lohan and the gossip weekly were negotiating a story about her relationship with celebrity DJ Samantha Ronson. "Lindsay really wants this to happen and she needs the money," said a source, but the starlet's flak says there's nothing in the works.  More »

Lesbos islanders suing over the use of the word 'lesbian' claim their human rights are being violated.   ((c) ale3andro)
The island of Lesbos wants lesbians to stop using that name.   (Shutter Stock)
The islanders of Lesbos are challenging the use of the word "lesbian" for gay women.   (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (1 of 3)

Tags

lawsuit  • homosexuality  • Greece  • civil lawsuits  • lesbians


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular


Other World Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Newser gives you more news in less time. We search for the best and most important stories all over the web, read them for you, and deliver concise and sharp summaries—along with links to the full text. Newser provides a way to stay on top of an ever-expanding horizon of news and opinion—politics, sports, business, trends, technology, personalities, crimes, and controversies. Newser keeps you not just better informed, but, with our signature graphic interface and smart condensed format, more enjoyably informed.

Learn more »