Sex between women does not get the attention in public health that goes to sex between men or heterosexual sex (especially commercial sex and sex among the young). HIV is almost never transmitted between women, and ‘No deaths = no dollars’. With so little research material available, how then do we understand sex between women? How does the lesbian community understand itself sexually? As well as being less researched than the gay community, it lacks the vigorous industry of filmed pornography, phone sex, sex venues, internet sites, and sex contact publications that helps shape gay male sexual communities. In Sydney since 1996 a convenience survey of women in contact with the gay and lesbian community has been carried out every two years using respondent-completed written questionnaires. Topics have reflected the changing health anxieties of the times, from a focus on sex with gay men and injecting drug use in 1996 to Pap smears, domestic violence and binge drinking in 2006. Results have also been anchored by national representative-sample surveys done in 2001–02 and 2005–06. Summary results and trends will be presented, focusing on what women do when they have sex with each other. Does anyone really use dental dams? Is lesbian bed death a widespread phenomenon? Do lesbians sneak off for a good rogering every now and then? Why does a woman have a better chance of an orgasm if she has sex with a woman rather than a man?
Conflict of Interest: None disclosed
Financial Support/Funding: The Sydney Women And Sexual Health (Swash) Study Is Supported By Nchsr And Acon. Nchsr Is Funded By The Australian Government Department Of Health And Ageing. Acon Is Funded By The Nsw Health Department. The Australian Study Of Health And Relationships Was Funded By Nhmrc And The Australian Govermnment Department Of Health And Ageing.
Sydney Australia, April 2007
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