The Politics of Sexuality in Dr. Caufeynon's "Tribadism and Sapphism"

Sixty years after the work of Parent-Duchâtelet was concluded (1836), a work entitled Masturbation et La Sodomie féminines (Masturbation and Feminine Sodomy) was published (1902). The document attempts to understand prostitution and masturbation among women, as well as saphisme and tribadisme (19th century terms closely related to modern day lesbianism). The author, a certain Docteur Caufeynon, draws upon the research conducted by other scientists of the time to understand these non-normative sexual phenomena.

In one section, Caufeynon remarks that tribades and saphistes could be found almost anywhere:

"Sapphism is primarily practiced in public brothels, where prostitution is regulated, as well as secret, password protected brothels, it is practiced in penthouses, guarded by Madams...in certain shops or even in perfumeries, glove shops, bookstores, lingerie boutiques, etc." (1)

In this excerpt, Caufeynon asks a colleague, Dr. Martineau, for his "expertise" on sapphism and lesbianism. Martineau's advice is more behavorial than biological. By listing the places where tribades and sapphists can be found, he attempts to understand behaviors. Where this information comes from is unclear. It is important to note that this turn-of-the-century document still predates what we understand as modern sociology. 

Caufeynon's attempt to understand non-normative sexual identities among women tends to be pathologizing and often fetishistic by 21st century standards. And yet it still contributes to a nearly nonexistent discourse on the history of lesbianism as we understand it today. Sapphism and Tribadism are topics rarely discussed and barely understood during the turn of the century. To create a study to attempt to understand the practices of queer women, is, despite the limitations of such a study, to immensley help our understanding of the lives of these women. When very few personal accounts exist, it is within these kinds of medical documents that we can glean some form of understanding.

(1) Caufeynon. "Saphisme Et Tribadisme." Chap. V, In Masturbation et La Sodomie Féminines, 65. Paris: Nouvelle librairie médicale, 1902. Accessed April 28, 2016