- Lina Poletti
Lina Poletti, born Cordula Lina Poletti (1885-?)in Ravenna, was an Italian
feminist , often described as being beautiful and rebellious, prone to wear men's clothing, and who is best known today for herlesbian affairs withwriter Sibilla Aleramo andactress Eleonora Duse . In the book, "The Lesbian nell'italia the first twentieth", Poletti is credited with being one of the first women in Italy to openly declare her lesbianism, without regret. In an essay on the book, writer Francesca Cortesi recognizes that fact.Her affair with Aleramo began in April, 1908, when the two learned that they shared the same feminist views and passion, after meeting at a women's conference. The relationship, often volatile, ended after one year. Sibilla Aleramo would go on to be one of Italy's leading feminists. Her writings to Poletti have, in more recent years, been studied due to their open minded views toward
homosexual relationships. While Aleramo was involved with Poletti she was also in love with a man, Giovanni Cina. Aleramo expresses in her letters to Poletti that she never felt guilt for having loved both of them at the same time.In 1909 Poletti met and became involved with Eleonora Duse, at the time a popular stage actress. The two moved in together in a house located in
Florence, Italy . There is indication that the affair was passionate, but volatile, and after two years Poletti ended the relationship. Duse was depressed for a time afterward.Little is known as to what happened to Poletti following the end of her affair with Duse, as she never achieved the fame that her former lover Aleramo achieved as a feminist.
References
* [http://www.glbtq.com/arts/duse_e.html Eleonora Duse and Lina Poletti]
* [http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=it&u=http://www.fuorispazio.net/def_archive_pageshow.php%3Fdirektorijum%3DGennaio_2001%26fajl%3Dduse.htm&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=10&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3DLina%2BPoletti%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG Lina Polleti affair]
* [http://www.bridgew.edu/SoAS/jiws/May06/ItalianfeminismMiguel.pdf Aleramo "Love Letters to Lina"]
* [http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=it&u=http://www.gayaweb.it/sito/index.php%3Foption%3Dcom_content%26task%3Dview%26id%3D32%26Itemid%3D534&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=7&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3DLina%2BPoletti%26start%3D10%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN The Lesbian nell'italia the first twentieth]
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