Greek islanders from Lesvos take gay rights group to court

Apr 30, 2008, 16:29 GMT

Athens - A group of Greek islanders have taken a gay rights group to court for using the word lesbian in its official name, reports said Wednesday.

The three islanders from the Aegean island of Lesvos filed a lawsuit against the 'Homosexual and Lesbian Community of Greece,' for insulting the local people of the island, who are also known as Lesbians.

'They insult our historical and geographical identity by using the name,' said Dimitris Lambrou, adding that the islanders are seeking to have the group barred from using the name 'lesbian' in its name.

The island of Lesvos is also called Mytilene, after its capital, and is seen as a popular holiday destination for gay women.

Lambrou, who publishes a magazine on ancient Greek religion, said the islanders will take their complaint to international courts to seek their rights if they have to.

'The word lesbian has been associated with gay women for the past few decades but we have been Lesbians for thousands of years.'

Lesvos was the birthplace of the 7th century lyric poet Sappho, who tradition says killed herself by jumping off a cliff over an unhappy love affair.

Many of her poems contain passionate references to love for other women.

Evagelia Vlami from the Homosexual and Lesbian Community of Greece said 'that the name is not only used by her association but is used across Europe and the United States - from Great Britain to Russia.'

The case will be heard in an Athens court on June 10.