Lesbian feminism

Lesbian feminism is a cultural movement and critical perspective, most popular in the 1970s and early 1980s (primarily in North America and Western Europe) that questions the position of women and homosexuals in society.

Of all topics most popular in today's media, issues concerning homosexuals and homosexuality in general top the list. Homosexuality is generally defined as a sexual relationship between partners of the same sex. Debate concerning its causes and consequences has been going on for many centuries and almost in every period in human history. However, never before in human history has it been granted such wide scale acceptance in western society as it has now.

Gays and lesbians are constantly subjected to discrimination by society. Many people are uncomfortable with the thought of two women or two men having an intimate relationship like heterosexual couples. Even though homosexuality is still a taboo, lesbians are more accepted by society than are gay males. In the media, intimacy between two women is often portrayed as a "turn on," whereas intimacy between two men is usually portrayed as awkward and strange. The episode of the sitcom Roseanne in which two women kissed was highly rated. But an episode with two gay men in Thirtysomething set off an uproar - but these men barely touched and never kissed each other! Subtle differences in public perceptions may help society tolerate lesbianism while it views gay men more negatively.