Ancient Greece: Homosexuality among Greek women: A Problem in Greek Ethics, by John Addington Symonds,
www.sacred-texts.com/lgbt/pge/pge21.htm
Modern Greece recent, general..
60's-70's - 80's - 90's - 20th
century
1929
- In spite of the total invisibility of lesbianism in greece, there was this book first published in 1929 titled " I Eromeni tis",
ie. her female lover, by Dora Rozetti. We really don't think any book can get any more outspoken lesbian than that.
The book seems like the personal journal of a young female student who is passionately in love with another young woman,
one the writer seems to believe is much more beautifull than herself. It is full of passionate ups and downs, controversies,
zealousness and the usual feelings young lovers go through, only we are not used to reading anything like that about
a passion between females, and there's a nice hopefull ending too.
The book was lost, supposedly retrieved by the author, and the literate community of it's time ignored it, save for a very positive
critic by Gregorios Xenopoylos, which was the only reference left to it.. until Christina Doynia discovered a copy in a private library
and publicised it again in late 2005, by Metexmio publishers, ISBN 960-375-907-4.
1950
- 1950: Male homosexuality is decriminalized in Greece. No legal steps taken since to protect
the rights of homosexuals. Female homosexuality remains unheard-of, both in law and public debate.
1967-1973
During the dictatorship (1967-1973) even thoughts about people's rights could get any citizent
court-martialed. After the democracy was restored, some first lesbian and gay groups and movements start
appearing in 20th century Greece, along or/and in co-operation with the first progressive groups that
appeared in mid to late '70s. The first signs were in 1976 and the first year that seemed fruitful for more
than the student movement was 1978. Those that were students back then
will be able to remember more..
We are seeking any tips on what was happening in Greece before 1967 in 20th century lesbians, gays, trans
and other gender-bending people.
1977
first LGBT march in Greek streets, to resist a draft bill against STDs that would permit aresting gay men
for the mere intention of having sex !
The transvestites lead the way, Manos Hadjidakis, Melina Merkouri and other celebrities join the
demonstrations and the protests,
the offending bill part is dropped & the first Greek homosexual movement is formed as a result.
1978
- The first issue of the AMFI magazine appears in April 1978, from AKOE, the Liberative Movement of Greek
Homosexuals.
The magazine kept going for some years.. against the hostile climate hunting it down, and it kept informing
people that there's more of us, we're not alone. We could find it in a number of open-minded bookshops of
Thessaloniki and Athens (I don't know of any other cites.. please fill in if you know more..). It needed a
good stomach, and an empty bookshop to dare take it to the cashier though.. A history of its own within the
Greek LGBT history, just a small-size magazine..
...
1979
- "A.M.O.TH." (Homosexual Liberation Front Thessaloniki)), the first gay group in Thessaloniki, was
founded in 1979 (it didn't last long)
1982
- 26/6/1982, Pride Day, demonstration with banners at Zapion, from AKOE members
- "Lavrys", lesbian-feminist magazine, (1982-1984).
Copies may be found with "Delfys" women archves
1988
- O.P.O.TH. - Homosexual Initiative Group of Thessaloniki started
reference was @ http://www.geocities.com/WestHollywood/2225/opothen.html (the group and the site
don't exist anymore.. see the qrd.org copy or google it.. )
archive-copy: www.qrd.org/qrd/www/world/europe/greece/roz_mov/opothen.html
Evolved into "Cooperation against Homophobia" (Sympraxis)
1989
- The ILGA 1989 European Confrence in Athens ! ?
(we never heard abything about it as simple people, non-activists.. as is the usual trend here.. even
today - stated 2006)
1990
- "O Pothos", publication of the group "OPOTH" in Thessaloniki, started in July 1990.
Try for more info here: http://www.qrd.org/qrd/www/world/europe/greece/roz_mov/opothen.html
- Strasburg, European Commission for Human Rights, December 6th 1990: hearing case "Alex. Modinos against
the Democracy of Cyprus", for violation of his rights as a gay person. The comission and the European court
justified mr. Modinos and Cyprus had to change the law about homosexuality. (the law did not improve, but that's
another story.. see below on subject "Cyprus"
1992
- 1992, Pride Day, party on Strefi hill, >Paola
- reformarion of AKOE, and revival of the AMFI magazine, now issuing irregularly a few issues.
old issues wild be found in the National Library
1993
1994
- Pride Day, party on Strefi hill, organised by Paola and her "Kraximo" magazine.
- Amphi magazine, issue 1, Period D', June 1994
1995
- Pride Day, party on Strefi hill, Kraximo
- "Madam Gou", a lesbian magazine, 1st issued in November 1995
1996
- "Madam Gou", issue 2, March 1996
- Lobbying for the Inclusion of "Sexual Orientation" in the Greek Constitution - Resolution/Petition from
greek organisations for homosexual rights to the greek parliament, as it appeared in Amphi magazine, issue
2, period D', June-July 1996 : www.qrd.org/qrd/www/world/europe/greece/roz_mov/syndagma.html
- Athens Gay Pride 1996 - not just one but three Gay Prides :
Athens, pride party at club Booze, June 26th,
Athens, Pride events at the Pedio toy Areos park [Aries ground], June 29th, including drag queens from
the City club, Go Go boys from Factory club..
- this was the last open Pride event of the 20th c. (as far as documents go), before they turned to club
parties. Next open Pride in Athens one was 2005 !
Another Pride day celebration in Thessaloniki !!!
- The First Greek Lesbian Week, September 7th-13th 1996, Crete
http://www.geocities.com/WestHollywood/2225/crete.html - organising in Crete & Sept.
1996 (page now extinct)
mirror: http://www.qrd.org/qrd/www/world/europe/greece/roz_mov/
- Vitamin O, issue no. 3, Oct. 1996
1997
- a new monthly gay magazine, "Deon", first issued on May 9th, 1997.
Co-published by P. Sofianos, the EOK, and the Act Up, with the support of the Council of Europe.
(It's been a long way since and a lot has changed.. I hope the contents quality used to be a lot
better back then.. though I fear the insensitivity to lesbian issues and views was about the same)
It's base was 31 Apostolou Pavlou Street, along with EOK.
Curent status: maintained by P.Sofianos as quarterly printed and e-zine,
targeting mostly young male homosexuals and their perceived interests
- Pride Party in Athens, June 21rst, 1997
Pride Party; June 25th, Camel Club, Aerodromio, Athens.
Pride Party in Thessaloniki, June 26th, (Ahududu club ? )
more.. pride
parties 1997
- Thessaloniki, June 26th, Pride Day public event about homosexuality and bisexuality from
"Cooperation
against homophobia", with political youth groups participating (Pasok-socialist party, Onned, Union of leftish
youth orgs,
Dikki youth org.).
1998
- Gay Pride - Athens 1998 - Wednesday, July 1st, party at CAMEL CLUB, on 268 Vouliagmenis av.
(Theodorakopoylos)
- Greek Participation in The Gay Games Amsterdam 1-8 Aug. 1998
1999
- First Panorama of Homosexual Movies, Thessaloniki
Olympion II, March 12-14
Organised by : "Cooperation against homophobia", Thessaloniki Cinema Festival org., sponsored by the
General
Secretariat of Young Generation.
the 1st Panorama of Homosexual Cinema presents older and new, short and feature films, greek and foreign,
documentaries, etc. We wish this starts a new cultural institution in our city and country, that through art
and cinema may expand our
horisons, help in understanding ourselves and others and promotes communication. ..
.. more.. http://www.filmfestival.gr/firstshot/3_1999/page6a.html
(in Greek)
- Pride party at the summer "club + Soda", organised by Paola, Gregory Valianatos and Cyberdykes
2000 - the year when a lot of grass-roots groups started to form ..
- Athens Pride 2000 - events at the cultural center at Evelpidon str., October 20-22, 2000
(there was the site http://pride.gay.gr - removed from the internet just a few weeks later.. if you know
of
any copies, please contact us)
some online info.. http://www.hri.org/news/greek/ana/2000/00-10-21.ana.html#38
- Greek Homosexual Community organises Athens Pride 2000 festival - Athens News article
This is the last Pride in Greece we've heard of.. until a few friends met in early April 2005 to figure
out
if another Athens Pride was possible..
.. the rest is history.. read on .. Athens Pride 2005
- the onset of POEK (Homosexual initiative against oppression), mostly young people and students of
leftish
political orientation.
Contact them at prwtomof@yahoo.com
Current status: has been expanding since.. including small grassroots groups in an evergrowing
number of
cities with universities,
Thessaloniki [url was http://www.geocities.com/poek ], email: prwtomothess@yahoo.gr
Ioannena (first party in spring 2005)
Kavala (first public party in spring 2005)
Rethymno, Patra, etc... (small unofficial groups .. contact the above emais for more..)
- the onset of the Athens Lesbian Group, November 2000
there is a beautifull but rather longish story still unfolding with this group.. It's earned a good
reputation among lesbians
and lgbt and feminist activists for good reasons. Their parties are legendary, their dcreenings gather a lot
of
people, their spectrum of public events
just starting to expand.
- The first message of the Sapphites greek-speaking women's list was sent to a few friends on December
4th,
2000.
The list worked manualy (cc & forwarding) for a few months, then was hosted by.. then with yahoogroups.. and
is
still
looking for a possible better deal.
The sapphites pages and the club started in December 2000, coinciding with the onset of
GreekLesbiansCommunity.
People are still uneasy to out themselves, and tired of underground bars, seeking contacts and
information on
the internet. A lot of lgbt clubs
and chats rise and fall weekly, a few of them floating a litle better and longer than others. The Sapphites
aspire to keep informing women and the world
about women issues and lgbt Greece, and fighting to built some sense of community, against a sea of
troubles,
internalised homophobia & distrust.
Women and the youth are waking up!
2001/2002
LGBT Greece, 2003 on Sapphic news history
Σαπφική ενημέρωση 2004 ...
current Sapphic News ...
Cyprus
an article
by A. Modinos in an theme published by the Eleytherotypia newspaper, summarises the recent history of homosexual Cyprus - in Greek.
His case against Cyprus was judged in Strasbourg in October 1992, and the judjement was released on April 1993. Eight of the nine judges condemned Cyprus for violating human rights, oposed by the judge from Cyprus.
from Eleftherotypia (Athens daily newspaper) feature for Homosexuality.. including a number of relative articles, some written from well-known Greek activists - February 2002
Out-Proud Greek Lesbians (Sapphites Reasearch) - sapphogr.net/les/eg/afierwma.html
Sapphites Research
The Sapphites seek especially information and views of women having experienced Greek Lesbian and feminist history during the 20th century - groups, venues, habits, changes taking places ..
If you would like to say or write something about it, while maintaining your prefered degree of anonymity, please contact us (ie. with an anonymous email where we may contact you) |
