Tribadism
Tribadism or tribbing is a form of mutual masturbation, sometimes called frottage, in which a woman rubs her vulva against her partner's body for sexual stimulation.[1][2] The term is most often used in the context of lesbian sex, but is not exclusive to such. Tribadism sometimes involves female-to-female genital contact, but more often refers to a female rubbing her vulva against her partner's thigh, arm or stomach. Tribadism 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 tribade
Tribadism was originally conceived of as lesbian penetration either with an enlarged clitoris or a strap-on dildo, generally performed by a "tribade". The tribade pre-dates the modern sexual identity of lesbianism and was originally understood as a very virile female who could also penetrate males.[3]
Today, "tribade" is defined simply as "a female homosexual" or a gay female.[citation needed] "Tribadism" is defined either as:
- 1. A plural for lesbian, lesbianism
- 2. A homosexual practice among women which attempts to simulate heterosexual intercourse.
Colloquialisms
Genital-genital tribadism is known by many colloquialisms such as "scissoring", "bumping donuts", "clit-clatting", "mashing cookies", "grinding beans", "touching tacos", "clam jousting", or "bumping fur."
See also Non-penetrative sex: Colloquialisms.
Tribadism among bonobo females
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). It is the most frequent sex activity among bonobos. Females use GG rubbing to socially bond with each other, thus forming a female nucleus of bonobo society. While bonobo society is egalitarian and less violent than many other primate societies, friendships among females organizes their offspring who maintain lifelong loyalty to their mothers. In this way, females often have more influence in group decisions.[4]
Tribadism in popular culture
- The glam pop band Scissor Sisters derive their name from the scissoring position.
- Other bands named after tribadism include Scissorfight and the lesbian punk band Tribe 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."
Disease
It should be noted that since genital to genital contact with possible fluidic exchange does indeed occur in tribadism, it is theoretically possible to contract a sexually transmitted disease from the practice. Thus, it should be practiced with the same reguard for safety as any modern sexual act.
References
- ^ Cathy Winks and Anne Semans (2002). The Good Vibrations Guide to Sex (Third Edition ed.). Cleis Press. ISBN 1573441589.
{{cite book}}:|edition=has extra text (help) - ^ Lesbian Sex Question: Tribadism, accessed 18 Dec 2006.
- ^ David M. Halperin "homosexuality" (pp. 722-3) in The Oxford Classical Dictionary, third edition, 1996, ISBN 0-19-866172-X
- ^ Bonobo Sex and Society, accessed 7 Aug 2007.
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