Lesbianism has a long and fascinating history that dates back to ancient times. Many women throughout history have lived openly as lesbians, challenging social norms and paving the way for future generations. In this article, we will explore ten women who are considered to be some of the first lesbian couples in history.
1. Sappho
Sappho was an ancient Greek poet who lived on the island of Lesbos in the 6th century BCE. She wrote many poems expressing love and desire for other women, and her works are still celebrated today as some of the most beautiful expressions of love in ancient literature.
2. Hatshepsut
Hatshepsut was an ancient Egyptian queen who ruled Egypt from 1478 to 1458 BCE. It is rumored that she had a relationship with her daughter’s nurse, Senenmut, and some historians believe that Senenmut may have been Hatshepsut’s lover.
3. Mary Wortley Montagu
Mary Wortley Montagu was an 18th century British aristocrat and writer who had romantic relationships with women. She wrote letters to her female friends expressing her love and admiration for them, and some of these letters have been preserved.
4. Eleanor Butler and Sarah Ponsonby
Eleanor Butler and Sarah Ponsonby were two 18th century Irish women who eloped together in 1778 and lived together in a same-sex relationship for over 50 years. They were known as the “Ladies of Llangollen” and became famous for their unconventional lifestyle.
5. Queen Christina of Sweden
Queen Christina of Sweden was a 17th century monarch who abdicated the throne in 1654. She was known for her intelligence and independent spirit, as well as her relationships with women.
6. Natalie Clifford Barney
Natalie Clifford Barney was an American expatriate who lived in Paris in the early 20th century. She hosted a famous literary salon that was attended by many famous writers and artists, and had numerous relationships with women.
7. Vita Sackville-West
Vita Sackville-West was a British writer and gardener who had a famous relationship with Virginia Woolf. Their relationship was the inspiration for Woolf’s novel “Orlando”.
8. Renée Vivien
Renée Vivien was a British poet who lived in Paris in the early 20th century. She wrote poems and novels expressing her love for women, and had relationships with many women during her lifetime.
9. Radclyffe Hall
Radclyffe Hall was a British author who wrote the novel “The Well of Loneliness” in 1928. The novel tells the story of a lesbian woman named Stephen Gordon, and was considered scandalous at the time of its publication.
10. Anne Lister
Anne Lister was a 19th century English landowner and diarist who had numerous relationships with women. She kept detailed diaries in which she recorded her romantic and sexual relationships with women, as well as her experiences traveling and managing her estates. Her diaries were written in code, but have since been deciphered and published, providing a rare glimpse into the life of a lesbian woman in the 19th century.
These women and their relationships represent some of the earliest documented instances of lesbianism throughout history. By exploring their stories, we can gain a better understanding of the challenges that lesbians have faced throughout history and the important contributions that they have made to society.
In addition to the women listed above, there are many other notable figures in the history of lesbianism.
- Lesbian literature: Throughout history, many writers have explored themes of lesbianism in their work. Examples include Virginia Woolf, Gertrude Stein, and Audre Lorde.
- Lesbian activism: Lesbian activists have played a crucial role in fighting for LGBTQ+ rights. Examples include Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon, who founded the first lesbian organization in the United States, and Barbara Gittings, who organized the first gay rights picket in front of the White House in 1965.
- Lesbian icons: There are many lesbian women who have become cultural icons, such as Ellen DeGeneres, k.d. lang, and Jodie Foster.
- Lesbian relationships in history: There are many examples of historical figures who are believed to have had same-sex relationships, even if they did not identify as lesbians. Examples include Queen Anne of Great Britain, who had a relationship with Sarah Churchill, and Frida Kahlo, who had relationships with both men and women.
- Lesbian representation in media: Lesbian characters have appeared in film, television, and other forms of media throughout history. Some notable examples include the characters played by Tilda Swinton in the film “Orlando” and Cate Blanchett in the film “Carol”.
- Lesbian visibility: Visibility is important for the LGBTQ+ community, and many lesbian women have used their public platforms to promote acceptance and understanding. Examples include Ellen Page, who came out as a lesbian during a speech at the Human Rights Campaign’s Time to Thrive conference in 2014, and Cynthia Nixon, who ran for governor of New York in 2018 as an out lesbian.
