The word ‘lesbian’ can conjure many different connotations depending on who’s listening.
Sappho may come to mind for some, or a modern-day lesbian celebrity. Sadly for others, it might just be a sexualised term. There are so many associations that come with identifying as a lesbian, that even saying the word as opposed to something like ‘queer’ or ‘sapphic’ may seem daunting. Just Like Us’ research has shown that many young lesbians delay coming out because of stereotypes, and also that lesbians are the most likely to feel ashamed of their LGBTQ+ identity. I too was ashamed of my identity, until I realised that ‘lesbian’ is not a dirty word.
Growing up, I would hear members of my own family talk about same-sex relationships in such a negative way that it made me want to do nothing but retreat inwards, hiding myself and my identity in the closet. But that’s not where I belong.
One of the main ways I learned to be proud of my own identity was through immersing myself in lesbian history – and there is a lot to learn. Poems, letters, diaries, protests, activism – all these pieces of history, and for every new thing I learned, I would uncover more.
My knowledge certainly isn’t extensive, and that’s simply because there’s so much to discover. Seeing all these people, and the way they stood not only for themselves but for other lesbians, was truly eye-opening. The love I saw fellow lesbians show each other throughout history and in the media not only warmed my heart, but filled me with joy.