LEV250 The Torah [this verse] states, "Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; it is an abomination". In another verse (Leviticus 20:13), the Torah repeats the injunction, but specifies that "the two of them have done an abominable thing; they shall be put to death--their bloodguilt is upon them." Rabbinic and later halakhic sources generally interpret these verses to prohibit male same-sex relationships. Lesbian sexual activity is not mentioned in the Torah and is forbidden almost as an afterthought in later sources. Specifically, the Talmud describes female same-sex activity as "mere obscenity" that does not disqualify a woman from marrying a member of the priestly class (B. Yevamot 76a), and Maimonides states that though female same-sex sexual activity is technically forbidden, "there is no specific biblical prohibition, and it is not called 'intercourse' at all." [M.T. Laws of Forbidden Intercourse (Issurei Biah) 21:8]. In other words, though lesbians today must also contend with a discouraging textual tradition, the strength of the prohibitions against them are much lighter and easier to address from a legal standpoint than those regarding gay men. (By Danya Ruttenberg, "Jewish Sexual Ethics")