activity. Women who prefer sexual interaction with gay
men, and/or who feel themselves to be like gay men in
some ways, may call themselves girlfags; their male analogs
are known as guydykes. Some lesbians interact erotically
with gay men and/or in gay male environments.
to another butch as "he" or an effeminate man refer to a
male friend as "she."
(tats), cuttings (a design superficially or deeply cut into
the skin by a knife or scalpel) and piercings (placement of
metal bars or rings through the flesh). Burns or burning
involve using intense heat matches, cigars, sticks of
incense for sensation only, without attempting to
create a design; they are usually thought to be temporary
(healing in a matter of weeks), but can be permanent.
Branding is the use of heat to make a permanent mark
or design. Piercings have specific names for the different
locations; some of the most common include Prince
Albert or PA (through the frenulum and out the urethra),
guiche (perineum) and triangle (above the clitoris). Some
people like the act of piercing and do needle play or play
piercings, which are removed at the end of the scene.
Many patients, if they encounter trouble with a body
modification, will turn to the body modification artist
for counsel rather than seeking medical advice. If the
artist's advice doesn't work, the patient will come to