| Pronunciation | /ˈsæfɪk/ ⓘ |
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| Etymology | Sappho + -ism or -ic |
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| Derivatives | Sapphist [2] |
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| Flag name | Sapphic pride flag [5] [6] |
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Sapphism is an umbrella term for any woman attracted to women or in a relationship with another woman, regardless of their sexual orientations, and encompassing the romantic love between women. It is the female equivalent of Uranian.
The term sapphism has been used since the 1890s, [7] and derives from Sappho, a Greek poet whose verses mainly focused on love between women and her own homosexual passions. [8] She was born on the Greek island Lesbos, which also inspired the term lesbianism. [9] [10]
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. [11] [ page needed ] [12]
The term sapphic encompasses the experiences of lesbians and bisexual women, for example, among other gynephilic, plurisexual, and multiromantic individuals, for example, those who decline a label, experience a fluid sexuality, or are questioning about their sexuality. [13] [14] Asexual and aromantic women who are attracted to a woman are also sapphic. [15] [16]
Using the term more broadly, some sapphic individuals may be non-binary. [17] [ page needed ] [18] There are also equivalent terms for relationships between men (Uranian, Achillean), [19] [ page needed ] between a man and a woman (Dionian, duaric), and involving at least one non-binary person (diamoric or enbian). [20] [ page needed ] [21]
Sapphic is also used in Lesbian literature for works involving at least one relationship between women, regardless of whether they are lesbian or not. [22] [23] [24] [ page needed ]
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