Words by: Angelina Raisa
Art by: Angelina Raisa

A beginner’s guide to scissoring and tribbing for the curious, the confused and the down-to-try.

Let’s be real — scissoring has become one of the most meme-ified, side-eyed and misunderstood sex acts within LGBTIQA+ spaces. Often reduced to an exaggerated move in porn or turned into a punchline online, it’s been mocked, oversimplified and rarely represented, let alone respected or explained with any real-world accuracy.

But beyond the gags and GIFs, scissoring (yes, it’s real) is just one of many ways lesbians explore intimacy and pleasure. So, what’s the real tea? What exactly does it involve, how is it different from tribbing, and why does it catch so much heat? Whether you’re curious, sceptical or ready to give it a go — this one’s for you.

Scissoring vs Tribbing: What’s the Difference?

While scissoring and tribbing are often lumped together, especially in pornography, they’re not exactly the same thing (though both involve a fair bit of grinding and enthusiasm).

Tribbing, short for tribadism, is a broader term that refers to genital-to-body contact, most commonly vulva-to-vulva rubbing. It can also include grinding against a partner’s thigh, stomach, butt or anywhere else that feels good. It’s all about friction and clitoral stimulation with rubbing, pressing and grinding — sometimes with clothes on, sometimes fully naked. In that sense, it can feel a lot like dry humping (think: clothes-still-on intensity). But it’s also often part of skin-to-skin sex, too. If you’ve ever had a fully clothed make-out session that somehow turned into a thigh-riding grind-a-thon, congrats, you’ve already soft-launched into tribbing.

Scissoring, on the other hand, is a specific position. This position is where two people interlock their legs in that now-iconic V-on-V shape. Think of the literal ‘scissor’ position you may have seen exaggerated in porn or scissor illustrations and tattoo designs. It looks extra (thanks, adult films), but for some, it slaps and is a deeply intimate, hella-hot move. While some people enjoy this position, it’s not the only — or even the most common form of tribbing.

Although traditionally associated with sex between people who are Assigned Female at Birth (AFAB), tribbing and scissoring have been boxed into narrow definitions. But the truth is, these forms of sex can be explored by anyone of any gender with mutual enthusiasm, creativity, communication, consent and possibly a few strategically placed pillows (because pillows aren’t just for princesses and skipping the support can lead to some seriously unsexy cramps). Whether you’re trans, non-binary, intersex or anywhere else under the LGBTIQA+ umbrella, there’s no reason scissoring or tribbing can’t be part of your sexual repertoire — especially if it feels good for you and your partner.

Bottom line? You don’t need to fit a particular label, body type or porn script to enjoy these acts. Scissoring and tribbing aren’t about performance — they’re about pressure, connection, sensation and (let’s be honest) some very strategic legwork. Whether you laugh through the first attempt or discover your new go-to move, what matters most is mutual consent, comfort and curiosity.

So go ahead — rock, grind and scissor your way to whatever feels good.