A court in Athens yesterday began hearing a case brought by three islanders from Lesbos (Lesvos) against the Homosexual and Lesbian Community of Greece (OLKE) in a bid to stop them from using the word “lesbian.”

The islanders are arguing that the term used for gay women is an insult to their homeland.

“My mother, my daughter, my sister are ashamed to call themselves a Lesbian, meaning residents of Lesbos,” said Yiannis Achlopitas, a Greek who lives in Montreal.

Lesbos, also known as Mytilene, was the home of the 6th-century-BC poet Sappho, who expressed her admiration for women.

Members of OLKE criticized the islanders’ decision to take their case to court. “What will they do next, sue the United Nations? They too use the term lesbian,” said Evangelia Vlami.