![\"\"](\"https:\/\/coexistencelaw.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/1006px-Simonet_-_Safo.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nSappho, by Enrique Simonet (Flame)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The term is inclusive of individuals who are lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, omnisexual, aromantic, asexual, or queer. There are also sapphic people who are non-binary or genderqueer.[5][6][7]<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Etymology<\/p>\n\n\n\n The term sapphism has been used since the 1890s,[8] and derives from Sappho, a Greek poet whose verses mainly focused on love between women and her own homosexual passions.[9] She was born on the Greek island Lesbos, which also inspired the term lesbianism.[10][11]<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sappho’s work is one of the few ancient references to sapphic love. Her poetry, significant in quality, is a rare example of female sexuality separated from reproduction in history.[12][13]<\/p>\n\n\n\n Use<\/p>\n\n\n\n The term sapphic encompasses the experiences of lesbians and bisexual women, for example, among other plurisexual and multiromantic individuals.[14][15] Asexual and aromantic women who are attracted to a woman are also sapphic.[16][17]<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some sapphic individuals may be non-binary or genderqueer, using the term more broadly.[18][19] There are also equivalent terms for relationships between men (Achillean, named in reference of Achilles and Patroclus,[20] or Vincian, referencing sexuality of Leonardo da Vinci),[21] between a man and a woman (duaric), and involving at least one non-binary person (diamoric or enbian).[22][23]<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sapphic is also used in LGBT literature for works involving at least one relationship between women, regardless if they are lesbian or not.[24][25][26]<\/p>\n\n\n\n