How gay was ancient Greece? The best LGBT+ history monuments
Discover some of the gay highlights of ancient Greek culture.
The ancient Greeks were pretty gay. As well as building the Parthenon, defeating the Persians and inventing democracy, they were partial to a bit of man-on-man action. Even after being conquered and occupied by Rome, Hellenistic teaching from Athens spread throughout the world. Hellenistic mythology and philosophy take a decidedly pro-gay approach to sexual relations.
You can visit some of the queerest monuments to same-sex relations in Greece, from the island of Lesbos to statues of the emperor Hadrian’s boyfriend.
The Island of Lesbos (Sappho’s Homeland)
Sappho, the celebrated lyric poet from the island of Lesbos, is one of the most prominent figures tied to female same-sex love in ancient history. Her poetry expressed deep emotional and romantic feelings for other women, and her name is the origin of the term "lesbian." While there’s no specific ancient monument dedicated to Sappho, visiting the island of Lesbos is a pilgrimage for many in the LGBT community. Sites around the town of Eressos, her birthplace, are of particular interest. Many lesbians visit the island each year to pay homage to Sapho.