Why does the word "lesbianism" exist?

[Gizmo j]

The suffix of "-ism" is supposed to represent ideologies and philosophy....

When a Male is sexually attracted to another Male we call it "Homosexuality", we don't call it a "-ism".

When a person is sexually attracted to the opposite sex we call them a "heterosexual", we don't call it a "-ism".

But when it comes to lesbians we call it a "-ism"......WHY THE HELL DO WE DO THAT!?

Do people believe that when anyone has a distinct sexual preference its just a "practice" but when it comes to 2 women its a belief system? WTF!?

 

[Atomic Playboy]

Because words aren't planned out in committee before they enter common parlance. Sometimes, a word whose root doesn't really make sense ends up in the common lexicon and everyone just agrees to use it, regardless of how illogical it may seem. Why else would bigotry against gays be called "homophobia" when it's no longer used solely to describe people who are afraid of appearing gay? It entered the common lexicon and we've agreed on the definition regardless of if it makes sense.

And speaking as someone who grew up around lesbians, lesbianism is totally a belief system. No one is that into Melissa Etheridge and Home Depot without it having some deeper religious ideology driving it.

 

[pcgeek11]

"Lesbianism" = "Homosexuality"

Homosexuality isn't a term just for men.

 

[trenchfoot]

Because words aren't planned out in committee before they enter common parlance. Sometimes, a word whose root doesn't really make sense ends up in the common lexicon and everyone just agrees to use it, regardless of how illogical it may seem. Why else would bigotry against gays be called "homophobia" when it's no longer used solely to describe people who are afraid of appearing gay? It entered the common lexicon and we've agreed on the definition regardless of if it makes sense.

And speaking as someone who grew up around lesbians, lesbianism is totally a belief system. No one is that into Melissa Etheridge and Home Depot without it having some deeper religious ideology driving it.

Reminds me of how the word "gay" got re-purposed over time when "being merry and gay" is not as grammatically synonymous as it once was.

 

[sandorski]

Cause it's awesome.

Most dudes, enter bedroom and find their Wife/GF doing:

1) a Dude and get seriously pissed off
2) a Chick and some will get pissed off, most will get a weird boner, and some will think they hit the Jackpot

 

[redhotiron2004]

Wow lesbianism.... Sounds so erotic even from a man's perspective. Please make way for a 3some.

 

[Screech]

A year or two ago there was some guy who I think was in a republican primary, although I can't remember for sure, who said something along the lines of 'homosexuality is gross but lesbians are hot'

That's why.

 

[WHAMPOM]

The suffix of "-ism" is supposed to represent ideologies and philosophy....

When a Male is sexually attracted to another Male we call it "Homosexuality", we don't call it a "-ism".

When a person is sexually attracted to the opposite sex we call them a "heterosexual", we don't call it a "-ism".

But when it comes to lesbians we call it a "-ism"......WHY THE HELL DO WE DO THAT!?

Do people believe that when anyone has a distinct sexual preference its just a "practice" but when it comes to 2 women its a belief system? WTF!?

From the Greek myths of a place called Lesbos.

 

[IGBT]

it's an obsolete term. Fails to include men that want to be women or think they are women or someday may become women who want to have relationships with women.

 

[blankslate]

Cause it's awesome.

Most dudes, enter bedroom and find their Wife/GF doing:

1) a Dude and get seriously pissed off
2) a Chick and some will get pissed off, most will get a weird boner, and some will think they hit the Jackpot

^this :awe:


also language (especially one prone to slang) while having rules doesn't have those rules set in stone and some words/phrases become well known because they sound "cool".



....

 

[IronWing]

it's an obsolete term. Fails to include men that want to be women or think they are women or someday may become women who want to have relationships with women.

Screw you guys, I am King lesbian!


Also, Lesbianity sounds like a religion, maybe an offshoot of Buddhism.

 

[Moonbeam]

It's the difference between banality and libertarianism, much ado about the ease of the flow of vowels and consonances.

 

[IGBT]

the new normal is..you are what you think and feel you are and if anybody doesn't like that they are a racist / bigot / hate monger.

 

[werepossum]

Screw you guys, I am King lesbian!


Also, Lesbianity sounds like a religion, maybe an offshoot of Buddhism.

+1 Don't kill anything living, and don't eat anything that can't eat you back?

I'm shooting to be the first male lay preacher of Lesbianity. Assuming my wife approves.

Lesbianism is a word because otherwise half the world's porn supply would be contaminated with naked dudes doing it and the money that society is currently spending on boob jobs and tummy tucks would have to be allocated to surgically extracting penises that have retracted as a result. Case closed.