Political lesbianism

Political lesbianism is a practice of intentionally choosing a lesbian identity for feminist political reasons. Political lesbians reject sexual and romantic relationships with men and choose to develop relationships with women instead. They may or may not be sexually attracted to women, and they may or may not engage in sex with women. They may believe that sexual orientation can be freely chosen, or that "lesbianism" doesn't require homosexuality, only not having sex with men and orienting one's life around women. The concept of political lesbianism originated in the 1970s and '80s. It is controversial; many lesbians find the term offensive because they regard their sexual attraction to women as innate rather than chosen and define their lesbianism based on that attraction, regardless of politics.

Feminist scholar Sheila Jeffreys advocated political lesbianism as a way for feminists to center their lives around other women.

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Political lesbianism

Political lesbianism is a practice of intentionally choosing a lesbian identity for political and feminist reasons. Political lesbians reject sexual and romantic relationships with men and choose to develop relationships with women instead. They may or may not be sexually attracted to women, and they may or may not engage in sex with women. They may believe that sexual orientation can be freely chosen, or that "lesbianism" doesn't require homosexuality, only not having sex with men and orienting one's life around women. The concept of political lesbianism originated in the 1970s and '80s. It is controversial; many lesbians find the term offensive because they regard their sexual attraction to women as innate rather than chosen and define their lesbianism based on that attraction, regardless of politics.

Feminist scholar Sheila Jeffreys advocated political lesbianism as a way for feminists to center their lives around other women.