Dictionary
a female homosexual a resident of Lesbos of or relating to or characterized by homosexual relations between woman
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Wikipedia
dablink This article is about homosexual women. See Lesbian Greek for the dialect of the island of Lesbos. Lesbian describes a homosexual woman. The term can be used as either a noun or as an adjective.
Etymology - ''See also: Terminology of homosexuality''The word ''lesbian'' originally referred to an inhabitant of Lesbos, an island in Greece where an ancient Greek lyric poet named Sappho lived. Some of her poems concerned love between women. Whether Sappho was a lesbian in the modern meaning of the term or a poet who described lesbians is not known. While she did write poems about love between women there is some dispute as to how her writings can be interpreted. Sappho's literary association with love between women led to the term ''sapphism'' as another term for lesbianism.Other words used to describe lesbianism over the past 200 years have included ''amor lesbicus'', ''urningism'' and ''tribadism''.There are many slang terms for lesbians including ''dyke (lesbian)dyke'' and ''bulldyke''. Both of the former are almost always regarded as pejorative when used by outsiders but many within the lesbian and queer communities have reclaimed their usage.
The law - In Western societies, explicit prohibitions on women's homosexual behavior have been markedly weaker than those on men's homosexual behavior. Jewish religious teachings condemn male homosexuality but are more lenient towards lesbianism, ruling it to be acceptable in an unmarried woman if this prevents her from premarital sexual relations with a male but it is not encouraged. In the United Kingdom lesbianism has never been illegal, unlike male homosexuality which was criminalised in the late 19th century, occasionally produced a prison sentence and was only legalised in England and Wales in 1967. There are various apocryphal stories about why lesbianism was not criminalised in the UK. One relates that Victoria of the United KingdomQueen Victoria refused to sign a bill outlawing it, insisting, "ladies did not do such things." However lesbian publications such as ''The Well of Loneliness'' were declared obscene and seized ? gayhistory.com.
Reproductive and parenting rights - In some countries the right of lesbian women's access to assisted birth technologies such as In vitro fertilisationin vitro fertilisation (IVF) has been the subject of debate. In Australia the High Court of AustraliaHigh Court rejected a Roman Catholic Church move to ban access to IVF treatments for lesbian and single women. However, Prime Minister of AustraliaPrime Minister John Howard sought to amend legislation in order to prevent access to IVF for these groups, which raised indignation from the gay and lesbian community.Many lesbian couples seek to have children through adoption but this is not possible in every country.
Sexuality - women engaging in foreplay.]]Sexual activity between women is as diverse as sex between heterosexualityheterosexuals or homosexualitygay men. Women in lesbian relationships may not identify as lesbian, but as bisexualitybisexual. As with any interpersonal activity, sexual expression depends on the context of the relationship. Like anyone else (regardless of sexuality) lesbians can be promiscuous or committed, ashamed or proud. There is a wide spectrum of lesbian behavior and (as with much human behavior) generalizations can be misleading. Recent cultural changes in Western societywestern and a few other societies have enabled lesbians to express their sexuality more freely, which has resulted in new studies on the nature of female sexuality.Research undertaken by the U.S. Government's cdc.gov - National Center for Health Research in 2002 was released in a 2005 report called cdc.gov - ''Sexual Behavior and Selected Health Measures: Men and Women 15-44 Years of Age, United States, 2002''. The results indicated that among women aged 15-44, 4.4 percent reported having had a sexual experience with another woman during the last 12 months. When women aged 15–44 years of age were asked, "Have you ever had any sexual experience of any kind with another female?" 11 percent answered yes.There is a growing body of research and writing on lesbian sexuality which has brought some debate about the control women have over their sexual lives, the fluidity of female sexuality, the redefinition of female sexual pleasure and the debunking of negative sexual stereotypes. One example of the latter is ''lesbian bed death'', a term invented by sex researcher Pepper Schwartz to describe the supposedly inevitable diminution of sexual passion in long term lesbian relationships, the notion of which is rejected by the lesbian community, pointing out that passion tends to diminish in almost any relationship and many lesbian couples reportedly enjoy happy and satisfying sex lives.
Culture - and lover Alice B. Toklas ellensplace.net.]]Throughout history, hundreds of lesbians have been well-known figures in the arts and culture (see List of gay, lesbian or bisexual people).Before the influence of European sexology emerged at the turn of the twentieth-century, in cultural terms female homosexuality remained almost invisible as compared to male homosexuality which was subject to the law and thus more regulated and reported by the press. However with the publication of works by sexologists like Karl Heinrich Ulrichs, Richard von Krafft-Ebing, Havelock Ellis, Edward Carpenter and Magnus Hirschfeld the concept of an active female homosexuality became better known.As female homosexuality became more visible it was described as a medical condition. In ''Three Essays on the Theory of Sexuality'' (1905) Sigmund Freud referred to (female) homosexuality as ''inversion'' or ''inverts'' and characterised female inverts as possessing male characteristics. Freud drew on the "third sex" ideas popularized by Magnus Hirschfeld and others. While Freud admitted he had not personally studied any such "aberrant" patients, he placed a strong emphasis on psychological rather than biological "causes." Freud's writings did not become well-known in English-speaking countries until the late 1920s.This combination of sexology and psychoanalysis eventually had a lasting impact on the general tone of most lesbian cultural productions. A notable example is the 1928 novel ''The Well of Loneliness'' by Radclyffe Hall in which these sexologists are mentioned along with the term ''invert'' which later fell out of favour in common usage. Freud's interpretation of lesbian behavior has since been rejected by most psychiatrists and scholars, although recent biologybiological research is now providing some findings that may bostler a Hirschfeld-ian "third sex" understanding of same-sex attraction.During the twentieth century lesbians such as Gertrude Stein and Barbara Hammer were noted in the US avant-garde art movements along with figures such as Madchen in UniformLeontine Sagan in GermanyGerman pre-war cinema. Since the 1890s the underground classic ''The Songs of Bilitis'' had been influential on lesbian culture and this book provided a name for the first campaigning and cultural organisation in the United States, the Daughters of Bilitis.During the 1950s-60s there was a rise in lesbian pulp fiction in the US and UK, many of which carried 'coded' titles such as ''Odd Girl Out'', ''The Evil Friendship'' by Vin Packer and the Beebo Brinker series by Ann Bannon. British school stories also provided a haven for 'coded' and sometimes outright lesbian fiction. During the 1970s the second wave feminist era lesbian novels became more politically oriented, works often carried the explicit ideological messages of separatist feminism and the trend carried over to other lesbian arts. In the early 1990s lesbian culture was influenced by a younger generation who had not taken part in the feminist 'sex wars,' which strongly informed post-feminist Queerqueer theory and the new queer culture.From the 1980s lesbians have been increasingly visible in mainstream culture: In music (Melissa Etheridge, k.d. lang and the Indigo Girls), in sports (Martina Navratilova), in comic books (Alison Bechdel and Diane DiMassa). More recently lesbian homoeroticism has flowered in fine art photography and the writing of authors such as Pat Califia and Jeanette Winterson. There is an increasing body of lesbian films such as ''Desert Hearts'', ''Go Fish (film)Go Fish'', ''Watermelon Woman'', ''Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit (television programme)Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit'', ''Everything Relative'' and ''Better than Chocolate'' (See List of lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender-related films). Classic novels such as those by Jane Rule have been reprinted.
Media depictions - Lesbians often attract media attention, particularly in relation to feminism, love and sexual relationships, same-sex marriagemarriage and parenting.
Mainstream broadcast media - In television, the number of lesbian couples portrayed is generally less than the number of gay male couples. Notable lesbian couples on television include:Tara Maclay and Willow Rosenberg in ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer''Lindsay Peterson and Melanie Marcus in ''Queer as Folk (US)Queer as Folk''Maia Jefferies and Jay Copeland in ''Shortland Street''Lana Crawford and Georgina Harris in ''Neighbours''Dr. Kerry Weaver and Sandy Lopez in ''ER (TV series)ER''In addition, some characters are claimed to be lesbians (often jokingly), though whether they are is unknown (in some cases, the show's producers most likely did not intend any implications of sexuality; in others, it is often implied but not stated outright).Xena and Gabrielle in ''Xena: Warrior Princess''. These characters were not officially "outed" in the storyline but their relationship was implied through comically ambiguous dialogue and actions laced with double-meaning, allowing viewers to draw their own conclusions.The 1980s television series ''L.A. Law'' included a lesbian couple, which caused much more controversy than lesbian TV characters would a decade later. The 1989 BBC mini series ''Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit (television program)Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit'' was based on lesbian writer Jeanette Winterson's novel of the same title. Russian pop-duo T.A.T.u.t.A.T.u was popular in Europe during the early 2000s, gaining attention and TV airplay for their pop videos because they were marketed as lesbians, although they were not.Actress and comedian Ellen DeGeneres came out publicly as a lesbian in 1997 and her character on the sitcom ''Ellen (television series)Ellen'' did the same soon after. ''Ellen'', then in its fourth season, became the first American sitcom with a lesbian lead character. The coming out episode won an Emmy but the series was cancelled after one more season.In 2004 ''The L Word'' was primarily focused on the lives of a group of lesbian friends and Ellen DeGeneres had a popular daytime talk show. In a 2005 episode of ''The Simpsons'' titled "There's Something About Marrying", Marge SimpsonMarge's sister Patty BouvierPatty came out as a lesbian.
Cinema - '' (Germany, 1931), the first lesbian feature film. It was immediately banned in the United States but then released in a heavily cut version. Despite the addition of an altered, subtly pro-Nazi ending, it was later banned in Germany, after which director Leontine Sagan and many of the cast fled the country. (Scriptwriter Christa Winsloe eventually joined the French resistance and was executed by the Nazis in 1944).]]The first lesbian-themed feature film was the exceptional ''Madchen in UniformMädchen in Uniform'' (1931), based on a novel by Christa Winsloe and directed by Leontine Sagan, tracing the story of a schoolgirl called Manuela von Meinhardis and her passionate love for a teacher, Fräulein von Nordeck zur Nidden. It was written and mostly directed by women. The impact of the film in Germany's lesbian clubs was overshadowed however by the cult following for ''The Blue Angel'' (1930).Until 1985's breakthrough ''Desert Hearts'' any notion of lesbian love in a film almost always required audiences to infer the relationships. The lesbian aesthetic of ''Queen Christina'' (1933) with Greta Garbo has been widely noted, even though the film is not about lesbians. Alfred Hitchcock's ''Rebecca'' (1940), based on the novel by Daphne du Maurier, referred more or less overtly to lesbianism but the two characters involved were not presented positively: Mrs Danvers was portrayed as obsessed, neurotic and murderous while the never-seen Rebecca was described as having been selfish, spiteful and doomed to die. ''All About Eve'' (1950) was originally written with the title character as a lesbian but this was very subtle in the final version, with the hint and message apparent to alert viewers. In ''The Children's Hour'' (1961) Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine play schoolteachers falsely accused by a disgruntled student of having a lesbian relationship; indeed, it turns out that MacLaine's character ''is'' a lesbian and is in love with Hepburn.Explicitly lesbian films and others with sympathetic portrayals of lesbian characters and lesbian leads began to appear during the 1990s and by 2000 there were films in which characters explored issues beyond their sexual orientation, reflecting an attitude that lesbianism involves more than sexual desire. Notable mainstream theatrical releases included ''Bound (movie)Bound'' (1996), ''Chasing Amy'' (1997), and ''Kissing Jessica Stein'' (2001). There have also been many foreign-language lesbian films such as ''Fucking AmalShow me Love'' (Swedish, 1998) and ''Blue Gate Crossing'' (Taiwanese, 2004).Actors who have played lesbian roles on film include Madonna (entertainer)Madonna, Nia Long, Whoopi Goldberg, Queen Latifah, Angelina Jolie, Glenn Close and many others.See also: List of lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender-related films.
Related groups and movements -
Feminism - Historically, lesbians have been involved in sexismwomens' rights. Late in the 19th Century the term ''Boston marriage'' was used to describe romantic unions between women living together while contributing to the suffrage movement. Continuing a tradition of inclusive acceptance, in 2004 Massachusetts became the first United StatesAmerican state to legalize same-sex marriages glbtq.com.During the 1970s and 80s, with the emergence of modern feminism and the radical feminism movement, ''lesbian separatism'' became popular and groups of lesbian women came together to live in communal societies. Some women found this kind of society liberating. Others, like Kathy Rudy in ''Radical Feminism, Lesbian Separatism, and Queer Theory'', remarked that in her experience, stereotypestereotypes (along with the heirarchyhierarchies to reinforce them) developed in the lesbian separatist collective she lived in, ultimately leading her to leave the group.During the 1990s dozens of chapters of Lesbian Avengers were formed to press for lesbian visibility and rights.
Transwomen and Trans-Inclusion - The relationship between lesbianism and lesbian-identified transgender or transsexual women who identify as lesbian has been a turbulent one, with historically negative attitudes, but this seemed to be changing by the close of the twentieth century.Some lesbian groups openly welcome transsexual women and may even welcome ''any'' member who identifies as lesbian, but a few groups still do not welcome transwomen. The Lesbian Avengers have historically had a very inclusive policy.Disputes in defining the term ''lesbian'' along with enforced exclusions from lesbian events and spaces have been numerous. Some who hold a non-inclusionist attitude often make reference to strong, typically second-wave feminismsecond-wave feminist ideas such as those of Mary Daly, who has described post-operative transsexuals as ''constructed women''. They may attribute transsexualism to mechanisms of patriarchy or do not recognize a transsexual's identification as female and lesbian. By defining ''lesbian'' through these views, they subsequently defend the non-inclusion of women with transsexual or transgender backgrounds.Inclusionists claim these attitudes are inaccurate and derive from fear and distrust or that the motivations and attitudes of transgender or transsexual lesbians are not well understood, and so defend the inclusion of transwomen into lesbianism and lesbian spaces.Both views are common. One incident due to this divisiveness arose during the early 1990s in Australia when the wider lesbian community raised money to purchase a building devoted to lesbian women along with a uniquely lesbian-only space called ''The Lesbian Space Project''. After the organisation successfully bought the building, a debate over the inclusion of transwomen polarised the lesbian community, the building was later closed and the funds were moved to help support the ''Pride Centre'', a lesbian and gay community centre in Sydney.An example often cited among the transgender and transsexual communities is the Michigan Womyn's Music Festival, a well-known and primarily lesbian event restricted to ''womyn-born womyn''. Camp Trans, an organization oriented towards transwomen, was started as a result.
See also - Black triangleButch and femmeFeminismGayHomosexualityLesbian until graduationLipstick lesbian and Chapstick lesbianDepictions of lesbian sex in pornographyList of LGBT-related organizationsList of gay, lesbian or bisexual peopleList of lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender-related filmsList of gay-related topicsList of transgender-related topics
External links - pinklemonz.com - Criticism of Lesbian Bed Death? news.bbc.co.uk - Australia backs lesbian IVF treatment - BBC News Onlinenews.bbc.co.uk - Lesbians protest IVF ban plan - BBC News Onlinenewscientist.com - Lesbian couples raise well-adjusted teenagersnclrights.org - The National Center for Lesbian Rightsoloc.org - Old Lesbians Organizing for Change (OLOC)
Media depictions - afterellen.com - AfterEllen.com Lesbian and Bisexual Women in Entertainment and the Media clublez.com - The Encyclopedia of Lesbian Movie Scenes ''Warning: contains explicit pornographic content'' nytimes.com - It's February; Pucker Up, TV Actresses The New York Times, February 10 !2005.Category:LGBTCategory:Sex ual? orientation and !identityCategory:FeminismCateg ory:GenderCategory:LGBT? !termsCategory:Womenbg:Лесб ийкаde:Lesbeet:Lesbies:Les bianaeo:Lesbaninofr:Saphismeko :레즈비언it:Lesbismonl:Les biennepl:Lesbijkapt:Lésbicaru :Лесбиянкаsimple:Lesb iansv:Lesbisktr:Lezbiyenzh:女 同性戀
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Websites
SGBN Southern Gay Broadcasting Network
Southern Gay Broadcasting Network. Your Information Source for the LGBT Community in Georgia
http://www.mysgbn.com/
Bliss for Women
Adult shop and specialist sexuality book shop for women for women
http://www.bliss4women.com/
Free Dating Site and Free Swinging Site
This web site hopes to allow couples to explore new experiences and to enhance their relationship.
http://www.sexgamesforcouples.com/
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Daily samples of the more than 10,000 monthy photos Members Receive. Romantic Restrain and beatiful women fratured.
http://www.zagway.com/
Porn-TopList: Free Quality Porn Sites
Wanna some free porn pics and movies? Check out our quality list of free sites and get porn of any kind.
http://www.porn-toplist.com/
SunBell Music Presents 'bell the cat' - Songs From The Wild
Twist your mind with award-winning, on the edge, powerful, blazing, colorful, sultry BLUES, ROCK, ALTERNATIVE, POP, ADULT CONTEMPORARY, OUT & PROUD, FOLK ROCK, and TONGUE-IN-CHEEK HUMOROUS musical stories. 'bell the cat' uses creative, artistic expression to heal, journey, share love, laughter, awareness & peace through music on Songs From The Wild. Eclectic music written by Sun Bell.
http://www.sunbellmusic.com/
Dykedolls
DYKEdolls is the inspiration of creator/founder, Stephanie Perdomo. It began as an NYU graduate school thesis project. The company is devoted to creating collectible dolls that reflect the lesbian lifestyle, and “Bobbie” is only the first of an entire line of dolls. The DYKEdolls are a fun and playful representation of alternative lifestyles.
http://www.dykedolls.com/
Les Garecons
modern and friendly Cafebar in the mainstation of Freiburg. Open mo.-fr. 6.30-1 h sa.-so. 9.00-1.00 h Chilloutlounge sa.+so. 4.00-1.00 h nice terrace in summer several events (ballroomdancing, tango argentino, gayparties) gayfriendly
http://www.lesgarecons.de
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http://www.sfbacwgolf.com/
Creative-Women
A collection of amateur and professional art, music, poetry and literature created by lesbian women from all around the world.
http://www.creative-women.com/
Alexandria Gay and Lesbian Community Association
Committed to improving the quality of life for GLBT persons in Alexandria, Virginia. The AGLCA organizes social activities for GLBT persons and allies, engages in education and public service, and promotes political awareness.
http://www.aglca.org/
transformational coach
Dr. Holt provides one-on-one consultations (in-person and over the phone) for individuals interested in transforming their lives. Specialties include relationships, PTSD, abuse, trauma, self-esteem, grief, loss, GLBT, anger, anxiety, depression, spiritual shifts. Techniques include EMDR, NLP, TFT, hypnosis, short-term goal-setting.
http://www.drjenniferholt.com/
The Athenaeum
The Athenaeum @ xenafiction.net is a huge index of lesbian fiction, fiction related websites, and author resources. The site contains thousands of original works as well as fan fiction works based on the TV series Xena: Warrior Princess. The Athenaeum is fully searchable by author, title, genre, audience, as well as several other categories. New authors welcome.
http://www.xenafiction.net/
KhushDC.org
KhushDC is a social, support and political group that provides a safe and supportive environment, promotes awareness and acceptance, and fosters positive cultural and sexual identity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning (LGBTQ) and additional gender or sexual minority South Asians in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.
http://www.KhushDC.org/
LiterNet
Electronic magazine for literature, humanitarian studies and education
http://www.liternet.bg/
Sue Merchant - Indie Singer-Songwriter
Official website of Sue Merchant, offers her biography, news, photos, and free music. Listen to songs & purchase Sue's new CD, Songs from the Edge.
http://www.suemerchant.net
Hearts Cracked Open: Tantra for Women Who Love Women
Experience the never before seen world of lesbian Tantra in this groundbreaking, award-winning documentary. Go behind the doors of women-only workshops with the most renowned Tantra teachers in the field as they reveal the secret of how to live in a daily orgasmic state of being. Included are ancient Tantric techniques for increasing intimacy in relationships, solo practice, extended orgasms, sexual healing and personal transformation. Featuring: Annie Sprinkle, Pamela Madison, Evalena Rose, Marcia Singer, Bruce Anderson & Sharon Neal Williams.
http://www.heartscrackedopen.com/
www.movinqueer.de
movin’ queer berlin Travel service for the city Coming to Berlin as a tourist or on business ? movin´queer berlin will organize almost anything for straight and lesbian women, and gay visitors, whether you´re looking for pleasure, culture, nature, fun or even have individual special interests movin’ queer berlin makes reservations for hotel rooms, theatre and concert tickets works out your individual leisure and culture programme enables an enjoyable stay in all price categories speaks English, Spanish and Italian works out special events informs about the fastest and cheapest means of travel and transport provides you with info and advice about the gay and lesbian scene works together with lesbian, gay and gay-friendly event-organizers, hotels, restaurants, bars and cafés The movin’ queer berlin team is available for your questions throughout your entire stay in Berlin.
http://www.movinqueer.de/
Gay and Lesbian Political Action & Support Groups
Based in New Jersey, working for Liberty and Justice for All.
http://www.gaypasg.org/
Liberty Apartment & Garden Suites
FORT LAUDERDALE: Intimate All Suites Hotel. Beautifully furnished, fully equipped studio, one & two bedroom apartments. Seasonal vacations & relocations. Near Airport, Port Everglades & gay Dania & Haulover beaches. Minutes to gay nightlife, central to Fort Lauderdale & Hollywood shopping, dining & entertainment. Full kitchens, heated pool, parking, laundry. Includes movie cable TV/VCR, CD stereo, voice mail telephone/internet access. Your Home Away From Home. Pets Always Welcome
http://www.libertysuites.com/
Les Femmes Cafe
A cyber cafe offering lesbian and bisexual women free ecards, free lesbian horoscopes, dating, tarot and rune readings, relationship advice and more.
http://www.lesfemmescafe.com/
The English Lady Website by Kim Lyle
One of the classic erotic sites of the Internet since 1999 and still growing. Kim Lyle, the English Lady, has continued a rare blend of style and eroticism in some very public situations. Highly recommended!
http://www.the-english-lady.com
SAGA North Ski & Snowboard Club
For gay/lesbian skiers and riders in the San Francisco Bay area. Organizes trips, parties during the ski season and outdoor activities during the summer.
http://www.saganorth.com/
Men Chats
Free Gay male web chat rooms
http://www.menchats.com/
Squirting Female Vagina Pussy Ejaculation Cum Movies
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Bisexual Playground
Bisexual Personals for dating bisexual couples and singles, bi-curious, gay, lesbian or straights seeking same sex experiences, multiple partners, or alternative lifestyles.
http://www.bisexualplayground.com/
Lesbian.org
A web site dedicated to promoting lesbian visibility on the internet by providing resources, information, publications and mailing lists for lesbians.
http://www.lesbian.org/
Lesbian.com
International resource for, by, and about lesbians and queer women. Includes news, articles, searchable directories of informational and shopping web sites.
http://www.lesbian.com/
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
Civil rights group, includes information from the NGLTF Policy Institute (a progressive think tank).
http://www.ngltf.org/
Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) is dedicated to promoting and ensuring fair, accurate, and inclusive representation of individuals and events in all media as a means of eliminating homophobia and discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation.
http://www.glaad.org/
Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN)
Organization for students, parents, and teachers that tries to affect positive change in schools. Offers information on what you can do in your state.
http://www.glsen.org/
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