An attempt to stop homosexual women calling themselves lesbians begins in Athens today with a court hearing that comes amid growing national debate over gay rights in one of Europe's most socially conservative countries.
The hearing has been initiated by plaintiffs on the Aegean island of Lesbos, who say they are unhappy that gay women have "usurped" a term that locals claim should have only geographical connotations.
"We are very upset that, worldwide, women who like women have appropriated the name of our island," said Dimitris Lambrou, a magazine publisher who is one of those bringing the complaint with other islanders. "Until 1924, according to the Oxford English dictionary, a Lesbian was a native of our isle," he said. "Now, because of its new connotations, our womenfolk are unable to call themselves such and that is wrong."
The hearing coincides with a highly charged national debate over gay rights. Lambrou insists he has "nothing against lesbians" who flock to Eressos - a resort on the island that is famed as the birthplace of the 5th century BC poet Sappho - and whose contribution to the local economy has been considerable.
But human rights campaigners say the court action has been motivated by barely disguised homophobia in a nation that remains reluctant to accept gay people. "No other group faces such discrimination in this country," said Grigoris Valianatos, a long-time homosexual rights advocate.
"The [Orthodox] church is literally out of control in its approach towards us, the media full of hate speech and the conservative government both hypocritical and indifferent," he said. "This trial is a reflection of the homophobia that prevails in Greece."
On Saturday police intervened when members of the far-right Golden Dawn group attacked gay pride marchers in the biggest ever Gay Pride parade in Athens. Thousands of supporters marched through the capital chanting "it is our right", but were pelted with eggs, flour and yoghurt by the group.
The increased visibility of gay people - including the first marriages between two lesbians and two gay men last week - has been met with consternation by some, with the ruling conservatives holding emergency talks to deal with the issue.
Unlike most other EU member states, where same-sex couples are accorded a degree of civil rights, lesbians and gay people in Greece have fought an uphill battle for acceptance.
While their ancient forebears immortalised their homoeroticism, modern Greeks have taken a dimmer view of publicising their sexual orientation. To date no politician of any persuasion has come out. Defying EU directives, the Greek military remains opposed to accepting gay people in its ranks.
whomod said: I generally don't like it when people decide to play by the rules against people who don't play by the rules. It tends to put you immediately at a disadvantage and IMO is a sign of true weakness. This is true both in politics and on the internet."
I heard a clip of some ol' Greek guy saying, "I'm proud to be a lesbian." I almost swerved off the highway and into a ditch laughing.
What's PJP's take on this controversy?
Uschi said: I won't rape you, I'll just fuck you 'till it hurts and then not stop and you'll cry.
MisterJLA: RACKS so hard, he called Jim Rome "Chris Everett." In Him, all porn is possible. He is far above mentions in so-called "blogs." RACK him, lest ye be lost!
"I can't even brush my teeth without gagging!" - Tommy Tantillo: Wank & Cry, heckpuppy, and general laughingstock
whomod said: I generally don't like it when people decide to play by the rules against people who don't play by the rules. It tends to put you immediately at a disadvantage and IMO is a sign of true weakness. This is true both in politics and on the internet."
Fuck you, Ray. Fuck you and your broken YouTube videos.
whomod said: I generally don't like it when people decide to play by the rules against people who don't play by the rules. It tends to put you immediately at a disadvantage and IMO is a sign of true weakness. This is true both in politics and on the internet."
Lesbos? Yucky poo poo, I don't want to watch that!
Zzap!
1.21 Jigawatts of Liberal Fun
Rex 5/24/08 "You know how you say Zzap! at the end of every post? Thats hella cool. I'm gonna start doing it."
Wonder Boy the racist pedophile - 5/24/08 - "I wish someone would embed that cute little African AMERICAN mouthing your COCK."
Rex's sexual confusion - May 25, 2008 - "I am a woman. and no, I will not show you any pictures."
First Among Daves homosexual obsession with my hands - May 25, 2008 - "I'm guessing the rest of the fingernails on your soft and supple hands are long, but the nail on that left pinkie is short. Big palms, short fingers, soft skin with no callouses. Perhaps you moisturise so the flesh on your hands stays a little wet."
Fuck you, Ray. Fuck you and your broken YouTube videos.
I fixed it. THe video of the Lesbians of Lesbos protesting doesn't seem to work but I did manage to get a Lesbian video going. Uschi will be drawn to this thread any second.....
If only gay men would start calling themselves "Spartans", "Athenians" or simply "Greeks", then it would be truly awesome...
"Batman is only meaningful as an answer to a world which in its basics is chaotic and in the hands of the wrong people, where no justice can be found. I think it's very suitable to our perception of the world's condition today... Batman embodies the will to resist evil" -Frank Miller
"Conan, what's the meaning of life?" "To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of their women!" -Conan the Barbarian
"Well, yeah." -Jason E. Perkins
"If I had a dime for every time Pariah was right about something I'd owe twenty cents." -Ultimate Jaburg53
"Fair enough. I defer to your expertise." -Prometheus
I thought she was OK with bondage between consenting adults...
What were we talking about again?
"Batman is only meaningful as an answer to a world which in its basics is chaotic and in the hands of the wrong people, where no justice can be found. I think it's very suitable to our perception of the world's condition today... Batman embodies the will to resist evil" -Frank Miller
"Conan, what's the meaning of life?" "To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of their women!" -Conan the Barbarian
"Well, yeah." -Jason E. Perkins
"If I had a dime for every time Pariah was right about something I'd owe twenty cents." -Ultimate Jaburg53
"Fair enough. I defer to your expertise." -Prometheus
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