Lesbian-identified

A lesbian-identified is a person who identifies in whole or in part as a lesbian. Because of the diversity of experiences of individuals who self-identify as lesbian, the term encompasses a wide range of individual life histories, as well as genders. Primarily, the term embraces those with strong ties and history within the lesbian community but can apply to individuals who are male-bodied that identify as women and are attracted exclusively to women. For instance, a lesbian-identified male, is a homosexual woman who was born with a male body and is not seeking gender reassignment surgery. Instead of female hormones and corrective surgery to help make the outside match her inside, she simply lives with the package she came wrapped in as a lesbian to the best her body will allow. As well as female-bodied and exclusively homosexual women, the term lesbian-identified may encompass gynephile bisexual or pansexual transwomen, or female-bodied bisexual or pansexual women, a group which includes some (but not all) and transmen of various sexual orientations, as well as those who consider themselves off the traditional gender spectrum. At the other extreme, some women may identify themselves as lipstick lesbians.

Self-identification does not always equate to acceptance. Often bisexual and especially transwomen have felt somewhat marginalized from some facets of the lesbian community. Other lesbian groups, however, have fully accepted and welcomed them.

For decades, women who were only sexually attracted to women were primarily labeled as lesbians. There are many people who believe that lesbian can be derogatory or they simply are not comfortable with that label. There are lesbians who actually would prefer to be labeled as "gay" versus lesbian. I believe about a year ago, a new movement for a different label was started by a group of lesbians who do not like the term "lesbian".

The new term is "Gayelle ". It is defined as the feminine form of gay meaning homosexual. Derives from two terms: gay (meaning sexually attracted to someone of the same sex) and elle (french for "she")

The goal behind this new term is:

~encourage positive language and healthy self-esteem for the gay-female population

~provide a word that sounds more cheerful and fun rather than sounding like "loner" or "loser"

~provide a new term that is not used in such a negative light or does not seem offensive as lesbian tends to sometimes be

I personally do not know what is going to happen in the future as far as just exactly how popular this word/term will be. I did however think it was important to enlighten readers who are curious about "lesbian-identified". I believe this information fits perfectly in here. I'm sure soon there will be a whole page dedicated to GAYELLE

Here is a news article about the development of the term Gayelle as well. However, I think most of the information came from the source above.

See also