Lesbian

A lesbian is a woman or girl who experiences primary or exclusive romantic and sexual attraction to other women. The word comes from Lesbos, the Greek island that was home to the ancient poet Sappho, whose surviving poetry expresses love between women. While same-sex love between women appears across history and cultures, the idea of a lesbian as a distinct category of person emerged in Europe around the turn of the 19th century. Lesbian identity carries a deep political and cultural history, from the Lavender Menace and 1970s lesbian feminism to today's lesbian bars, media, and communities. It is expansive, embracing butch and femme expressions, trans lesbians, and people who hold the label alongside terms like queer.