Lesbian

A lesbian is a homosexual woman or girl. The word is also used as an adjective for women in relation to their experiences, regardless of their sexual orientation; or as an adjective relating to female homosexuality. The term lesbian is a derivative of the island of Lesbos, the Greek island home to ancient poet Sappho. Relatively little in history was documented to describe women's lives in general or female homosexuality in particular. The earliest mentions of lesbianism date to around the 600s–500s BC, including Sappho's poetry. Lesbian relationships and attractions, along with gender nonconforming behaviors more often displayed by lesbians, have been treated in different ways throughout different ages and cultures. While there is a long documented history of lesbian behavior and relationships throughout different cultures, the idea of a 'lesbian' as a category of person innately distinct from other women emerged in Europe around the turn of the 19th century. Lesbians' current rights vary widely worldwide, ranging from severe abuse and legal persecution to general acceptance and legal protections. Modern polls estimate that 1-2% of women are lesbian. Lesbian social movements often advocate for legal changes (such as anti-discrimination protections, child custody protections, and legal civil unions or marriages), as well as for cultural, familial, and religious acceptance of lesbian orientations and relationships.