Sapphic

Sapphic is a queer self-description and umbrella term for women, woman-aligned people, some non-binary people, or people read as female who are attracted to women, female, or feminine people. The attraction may be romantic, sexual, emotional, or relational. The term overlaps with labels such as lesbian, bi+, pansexual, or queer, but it does not necessarily replace them.

The term refers to the ancient Greek poet Sappho of Lesbos, whose work is often associated with love and desire between women. In contemporary use, “sapphic” is often used to name attraction to women and femininity without requiring a more specific label such as “lesbian.” Bisexual, pansexual, or queer women and non-binary people may also call themselves sapphic if the term fits their experience.

As with many queer terms, the exact use depends on context and self-definition. Not all feminine people or non-binary people want to be described as sapphic, and not everyone who loves women uses this label. Respectful use therefore means applying the term only to people who choose it for themselves and taking their chosen labels, pronouns, and boundaries seriously.