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.

Colloquialisms

Tribadism - scissoring position

Genital-genital tribadism is known by many colloquialisms such as "scissoring", "bumping donuts", "clit-clatting", "pussy grinding", "mashing cookies", "grinding beans", "touching tacos", "clam jousting", "fur trading" or "bumping fur." In The Philippines,this practice is known as kiskisan. 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.^[3]

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 regard for safety as any other sexual act where genital to genital contact occurs.

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 Dec 2006.
3. ^ Bonobo Sex and Society, accessed 7 Aug 2007.