Sapphism is an umbrella term for women loving women (WLW): any woman attracted to women or in a relationship with another woman, regardless of their sexual orientation, and encompassing the romantic love between women. Uranian and Achillean are male equivalents of sapphism.
Etymology
thumb|right|250px|Sappho, by [[Enrique Simonet.]]
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. According to Oxford English Dictionary, the word sapphist exists at least since 1789. Sappho's work is one of the few ancient references to sapphic love.
Use
The term sapphic encompasses the experiences of lesbian, bisexual, gynephilic, plurisexual, and multiromantic women, as well as 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 women can also be sapphic.
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.
See also
- Achillean, the male equivalent of sapphism
- Androphilia and gynephilia
- Bisexuality
- Boston marriage
- Female bonding
- Gay
- Golden Orchid Society
- History of lesbianism
- Homosexuality
- Lesbianism
- LGBTQ slang
- Queerplatonic relationship
- Romance (love)
- Romantic friendship
- Sexual diversity
- Terminology of homosexuality
- Tribadism
- Womance
- Women who have sex with women (WSW)