To a large extent, they continue to be classified either as butch, shaven-headed “diesel dykes”, or, alternatively, “lipstick lesbians” – pornographic fantasy figures created for male delectation.In the eyes of their detractors, lesbians represent an abomination of both femininity and motherhood.Lesbians. Even the word itself has a harsh ring to it.Consider the number of successful, high-profile gay men in Britain. Actors, designers, writers and musicians too numerous to list, not to mention three MPs Well-known lesbians are thin on the ground A couple of actresses: Sophie Ward and Pam St Clement The novelist Jeanette Winterson Maggi Hambling, the painter. And as of recently, one politician, Angela Eagle.There was a short-lived vogue a few years ago – “lesbian chic” – which gave rise to lesbian storylines in soap operas and revelations of lesbian affairs by female celebrities.

It coaxed the subject some way out of the closet, but ended in a froth of media hype. Genuine declarations such as Angela Eagle’s are rare, and still send a prurient frisson through society.Some suggest that lesbians appear to be inconspicuous because they are outnumbered by gay men in the population. It may be true, too, that they are less politicised and less outspoken. Peter Tatchell, the militant gay rights campaigner, believes that the lack of explicit criminal sanctions against lesbians has, while shielding them from overt persecution, made them less visible.But the main reason why gay women have a low profile in society is that for them, “coming out” is a particularly daunting step.For one thing, research indicates that they acknowledge their sexuality at a later age than men, by which time they may be married and financially dependent.

For the estimated 15 per cent who have children, there is the fear, not unjustified, of losing a custody battle. Those who do take the plunge find that there is little infrastructure to cushion them; the support networks and public spaces are all male-dominated.The workplace, too, is problematic. In conservative environments such as business and the professions, revelations of homosexuality can give the kiss of death to a career – more so for women than for men. “It’s difficult enough to make it as a woman, without being a lesbian to boot,” says one hospital consultant. “We already have to deal with sexism; why add homophobia?” One barrister says that if she were known to be gay, she would never be made a QC.