Tribadism

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Tribadism

Tribadism or tribbing, also known by the slang term 'scissoring', is a form of non-penetrative sex in which a woman rubs her vulva against her partner's vulva for sexual stimulation.[1][2] This may involve female-to-female genital contact or a female rubbing her vulva against her partner's thigh, arm or stomach; it can also refer to a masturbation technique in which a woman rubs her vulva against an inanimate object such as a bolster, in an effort to achieve orgasm. The term is most often used in the context of lesbian sex, but is not exclusive to lesbians.

Contents

[edit] History

Until the 20th century, the term was used to refer to lesbian sexual practices in general. Therefore, lesbians were occasionally called tribades.[3]

[edit] Tribadism among bonobo females

This position is not exclusive to humans. Females of the bonobo species, found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, also engage in female-female genital sex, usually known as GG rubbing (genito-genital).[4][5]

[edit] Safe sex issues

As with any exchange of bodily fluids during sexual activities, tribadism has the potential to transfer sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) if those are present in one or more of the partners. Participants have the option of safe sex practices.[6]

[edit] Tribadism in popular culture

  • The glam pop band Scissor Sisters derived their name from the scissoring position.[7]
  • Bands named after tribadism include Scissorfight and the lesbian punk band Tribe 8.[8]
  • Genital-genital tribadism was depicted three times during the "D-Yikes!" episode of the cartoon South Park, referred to in that episode as "scissoring".
  • Australian band Rocksteady pay homage to tribadism with their song "Scissoring".

[edit] References

  1. ^ Cathy Winks and Anne Semans (2002). The Good Vibrations Guide to Sex (3rd ed.). Cleis Press. ISBN 1573441589. 
  2. ^ Lesbian Sex Question: Tribadism, accessed 18 December 2006.
  3. ^ Sihvola, Juha; Nussbaum, Martha Craven (2002). The sleep of reason: erotic experience and sexual ethics in ancient Greece and Rome. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. ISBN 0-226-60915-4. 
  4. ^ de Waal FB (Mar 1995). "Bonobo sex and society" (reprint). Sci Am. 272 (3): 82–8. PMID 7871411. http://songweaver.com/info/bonobos.html. "Perhaps the bonobo's most typical sexual pattern, undocumented in any other primate, is genito-genital rubbing (or GG rubbing) between adult females. One female facing another clings with arms and legs to a partner that, standing on both hands and feet, lifts her off the ground.". 
  5. ^ Paoli T, Palagi E, Tacconi G, Tarli SB (Apr 2006). "Perineal swelling, intermenstrual cycle, and female sexual behavior in bonobos (Pan paniscus)". Am J Primatol. 68 (4): 333–47. doi:10.1002/ajp.20228. PMID 16534808. 
  6. ^ (See The Lesbian and Gay Foundation "Safer Sex" website for more information.)
  7. ^ Harrington, Richard (January 7, 2005), "Scissor Sisters: On the Cutting Edge", Washington Post, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A53256-2005Jan6.html, retrieved on 2008-09-17 
  8. ^ "Rise Above: The Tribe 8 Documentary", San Francisco Bay Guardian, 2006-07-12, http://www.sfbayguardian.com/entry.php?catid=4&entry_id=1108, retrieved on 2007-09-21 
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