My vagina is invincible': The myth of risk-free sensual sex between two women

With the passing of time and increasing knowledge, the sexual reproductive health rights (SRHR) narrative continues to grow, reshape and reform. This realm has seen internal shifts with the rise of sex positivity, the depathologisation of sexualities and the identification of key populations who need to join the conversation. Despite these movements one group is continuously left out of the dialogue - namely women who have sex with women (WSW). Other than bisexual women (who often feature briefly when discussing issues facing heterosexual women), WSW are often left out of key notions regarding sexual reproductive health due to their perceived 'low-risk' status when it comes to sexually transmitted infections or diseases and pregnancy. From ideas of consent and bodily autonomy, and notions of access to safe-sex information and tools, to ideas of pleasure, there is a whole host of notions that tie into a woman's ability to engage fully with her range of SRHR. It is not simply about how susceptible she is to HIV infection, but what other risks are posed when she engages in sexual activity. For a lot of WSW these other possible risks are often ignored. This perspective piece seeks to debunk the invincibility of WSW when it comes to safe sex and to argue for their need to pull up a chair at the SRHR table. By tackling this notion it further seeks to outline why WSW have much to gain from active engagement in notions surrounding SRHR.