200 Years of LGBTQIA+ History

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Source Record

Sappho

Why this source is used

Britannica biography of Sappho covering her lyric poetry, ancient reception and later association with women-loving-women history.

Start with the answer

Start with the answer How did lesbian visibility develop in the 20th century? Lesbian visibility developed through literature, censorship battles, community publications, parliamentary representation and Black lesbian feminist writing. Start with the answer How did queer artists and writers shape visibility? They shaped visibility by giving language, images, performances and public memory to queer desire, identity, grief and resistance. Read the topic guide Lesbian Literature and Organising Lesbian visibility grew through censored literature, private networks, community publications, parliamentary representation and Black lesbian feminist writing.

Source Status

Publisher
Encyclopaedia Britannica
Type
organisation
Reliability
medium
Cited by
5 pages

Source Links

Open original source https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sappho-Greek-poet Accessed 4 June 2026 Open archived copy https://web.archive.org/web/*/https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sappho-Greek-poet

Used by Topics

Lesbian Literature and Organising Queer Artists, Writers and Performers

Used by Questions

How did lesbian visibility develop in the 20th century? How did queer artists and writers shape visibility?

Used by Timeline Events

c. 600 BCE CulturalPeople

Sappho of Lesbos — Poetry Celebrating Love Between Women

Sappho, a Greek lyric poet from the island of Lesbos, composed poetry celebrated for its passionate expression of love and desire between women. Her work was so influential that the words 'lesbian' and 'sapphic' derive from her name and birthplace. Although most of her poetry survived only in fragments, her legacy endured as a foundational cultural reference for same-sex love.