Tribadism

Tribadism or tribbing is a form of mutual masturbation 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 lesbians. 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.

History

Until the 20th century^{citation needed}, the term was used to refer to lesbian sexual practices in general. Therefore, lesbians were occasionally called tribades^{citation needed}.

Colloquialisms

Tribadism—scissoring position.

Genital-genital tribadism is known by many colloquialisms such as "scissoring" - which refers to the leg movements, "bumping donuts", "clit-clatting", "clam clashing", "pussy grinding", "mashing cookies", "grinding beans", "clam jousting", "touching tacos", "taco bumping" or "bumping fur"^{citation needed}.

See also Non-penetrative sex: Colloquialisms.

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).^[3]

Health risks

Since genital to genital contact with possible fluidic exchange does indeed occur in tribadism, it is possible to contract a sexually transmitted disease from the practice. Thus, it should be practiced with the same regard for safety as any other sexual act where genital to genital contact occurs to avoid transmission.

Tribadism in popular culture

• The glam pop band Scissor Sisters derive their name from the scissoring position^{citation needed}.
• Other bands named after tribadism include Scissorfight and the lesbian punk band Tribe 8^{citation needed}.
• Genital-genital tribadism was depicted three times during the "D-Yikes!" episode of the cartoon South Park, referred to in that episode as "scissoring"

References

1. ^ Cathy Winks and Anne Semans (2002). The Good Vibrations Guide to Sex, Third Edition, Cleis Press. ISBN 1573441589. 
2. ^ Lesbian Sex Question: Tribadism, accessed 18 December 2006.
3. ^ de Waal, Frans B. M. (March 1995). "Bonobo Sex and Society". Retrieved on 2008-03-05. “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.” Reprint from Scientific American, March 1995, pp. 82–88.