Speaking out on woman/girl love

I feel compelled to respond to Nancy Walker's ambitious statement that "gay women... hardly ever want anything to do with girls" and to Amy Hoffman's gut level - albeit later modified - reaction of "Lesbians don't do that!" to the Revere case. Both Walker and Hoffman are, simply, wrong in their assumptions. I know, because I've "done it" - as a girl and as a woman. Now, the time has come when I must share some of my memories and experiences with the larger community. [...]

Taboos on childhood sexuality when it blossoms at all, or on adolescent sexuality that crosses age boundaries, are so deeply entrenched in our culture that for years I was ashamed and afraid to admit, even to myself, that I was involved in an explicitly lesbian relationship when I was between 8 and 11 years old. The first woman I ever loved sexually was my great-aunt; our feelings for each other were deep, strong, and full. [...]

The issues are delicate and difficult, there's no denying that. But we cannot avoid them, like it or not. Nor can we continue to oppress others as we have been - or are - oppressed ourselves. It's time to stop selling out young people, and to begin being honest, with ourselves and with each other.

source: Article < Speaking Out on "Woman/Girl Love" - Or, Lesbians Do Do It > by Beth Kelly; Paidika - The Journal of Paedophilia; Special Women's Issue; Volume 2, Number 4, Issue 8; Amsterdam; Winter 1992; Article original: Gay Community News, Boston; 3 March 1979