Lesbian utopia

A lesbian sign made from two linked astronomical symbols for Venus. In ancient times the metal copper was associated with the Roman goddess Venus because of its visual appeal. Copper's ancient alchemy symbol, a circle (for matter) above a cross (for spirit), became a sign for both the goddess and the planet. It was later also used to represent the female in biology and popular culture. Here, it is doubled and twined in symbolic hues of lilac as a sign for lesbian.

Lesbian utopia refers to a conceptual community made up entirely of biological females who are not dependent on men for anything.

The concept of an all-female society is mentioned in Greek mythology through a legend of the Amazons, a nation of all-female warriors. In this legend, once each year the Amazons call upon The Gargareans and mate with them.

Reproduction

As with many species, human reproduction requires an egg (from the female), a sperm (from the male) and a womb as a suitable environment with an available source of nutrients in which an embryo can develop into a fetus and gestate until childbirth.

Scientists have created mice pups from two female mice. There is a possibility that with further research the same or similar procedure could allow two human females to be the genetic parents of the same child. Scientists have found a way to fertilise human eggs using genetic material from any cell in the body. This could eventually allow two or more females to conceive and bring a baby to term without male assistance. Meanwhile same-sex marriages or unions have gained legal support in many countries.

It is as yet unknown if this biotechnology could be applied to humans, regardless of any ethical issues which may arise.

Culture

A historical fictional example of this concept is Herland, a novel written by Charlotte Perkins Gilman (1860-1935). The full text is available online here: http://historyofideas.org/toc/modeng/public/GilHerl.html

See also

• Separatist feminism