Sapphism

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.

The term is inclusive of individuals who are lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, aromantic, asexual, or queer. There are also sapphic people who are non-binary or genderqueer.

Etymology
The term has been used since the 1890s. It derives from Sappho, a Greek poetess whose verses mainly focused on love between women and her own homosexual passions. She was born on the Greek island Lesbos, which also inspired the term lesbianism.

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.

Use
The term sapphic encompasses the experiences of lesbians and bisexual women, for example, among other plurisexual and multiromantic individuals. Asexual and aromantic women who are attracted to a woman are also sapphic.

Some sapphic individuals may be non-binary or genderqueer, using the term more broadly. There are also equivalent terms for relationships between men (Achillean, named in reference of Achilles and Patroclus, or Vincian, referencing sexuality of Leonardo da Vinci), between a man and a woman (duaric), and involving at least one non-binary person (diamoric or enbian).

Sapphic is also used in LGBT literature for works involving at least one relationship between women, regardless if they are lesbian or not.