Lamda and Sapho

[jacpol2003]

Excuse the dubious spelling! From some recent reading - what do these words mean and how are they connected to the gay community?

[josiemac]

Lambda is a non-profit making organisation, based in Canada. It is the Insititute of Gay and Lesbian studies, taking an educational and research view of gay issues and interests. The word itself comes from the Greek alphabet and denotes "L". Perhaps someone else can explain why it is used in so many gay and lesbian works of literature, organisation names etc.

[josiemac]

Sappho was a Greek lyricist from around 630bc. She spent her life studying the arts in Lesbos and became synonomous with female homosexuality, writing homoerotic verse to music. Sapphic, as a way to describe a gay female, was derived from her name.