Words mean things. Like 'lesbian'. But not what you typically think. At least, not according to these folks from the Island of Lesbos - who are native lesbians - and resent the 'stigma'.
People of Lesbos take homosexual group to court over term 'Lesbian'
One of the plaintiffs said Wednesday that the name of the association, Homosexual and Lesbian Community of Greece, "insults the identity" of the people of Lesbos, who are also known as Lesbians.
"My sister can't say she is a Lesbian," said Dimitris Lambrou. "Our geographical designation has been usurped by certain ladies who have no connection whatsoever with Lesbos," he said.
Now, if the world could only ransom the word 'gay' back into proper usage...
This might be a good start. "Be Happy, Not Gay" T-Shirt is First Amendment Right for High School Student.
Last week, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit reversed a lower court's ruling in the case and ordered the school to suspend its ban, allowing Alex Nuxoll to wear his T-shirt (which simply said, "Be happy, Not Gay").
The Illinois case actually began in April 2007 when Neuqua Valley senior Heidi Zamecnik wore a shirt similar to Alex's to school. One day earlier, the school had permitted other students to wear shirts showing their support for homosexual behavior as part of the "Day of Silence," promoted by the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network. Heidi simply wanted to express an opposing viewpoint.
Unfortunately, school officials seemed to believe only one viewpoint was necessary.
Tolerant & open minded adult society is one thing, but, for most people, homosexual activity is something that elicits a gag reflex, and is still viewed as perverse & aberrant behavior. It is not something that should be taught to children, or given official sanction at the tax payer funded govt. schools anymore than religious expression.
Yet an 'opposition' T-shirt was the point of law brought before the court? My, my. How far we have fallen as a society.
Thankfully, the Court's opinion was correct (albeit a waste of tax payer $$):
"But it is highly speculative that allowing the plaintiff to wear a T-shirt that says “Be Happy, Not Gay” would have even a slight tendency to provoke such incidents, or for that matter to poison the educational atmosphere."
But the larger damage is the bigotry from the school officials who "seemed to believe only one viewpoint was necessary."
