Sapphism

Etymology

The term sapphism has been used since the 1890s, and derives from Sappho, a Greek poet whose verses included her accounts of sexual and romantic love between women. She was born on the Greek island Lesbos, which also inspired the term lesbianism.

Sappho's work is one of the few ancient references to sapphic love. Her poetry, significant in quality, is a rare example of a woman speaking of her love for other women in ancient history.

Use

The term sapphic encompasses the experiences of lesbian, bisexual, gynephilic, plurisexual, and multiromantic women, and also women who are attracted to women but decline a label, experience a fluid sexuality, or are questioning their sexuality. Asexual and aromantic women who are attracted to a woman can also be sapphic.

Using the term more broadly, some sapphic individuals may be non-binary. There are also equivalent terms for relationships between men (Uranian, Achillean), between a man and a woman (duaric) and involving at least one non-binary person (diamoric or enbian).

Sapphic is also used in Lesbian literature for works involving at least one relationship between women, regardless of whether they are lesbian or not.

References

References

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