Scissoring is probably the most debated sex position in not just the queer community, the entire community at large. It’s widely talked about by straights, gays, lezzies, queers and bisexual babes galore. No one can quite determine whether it’s ~real~ or not. Which honestly completely confuses us, because duh. It’s obviously real! And if you know that, then you know how amazingly orgasmic this position can be.
Now close your eyes and imagine if you could add vibration into the scissoring mix.
When we heard about this brand new sex toy created by a lesbian—just for scissoring—we had to hear more about it!
The Shi/Shi Union is the incredible creation of Gabrielle Anex, who felt frustrated at the lack of sex toy options created with queer women in mind. So many toys designed for women are phallic-centered and Anex recognizes that not all women are into penetration. And even if they are, a plethora of options for pleasure is always good!
And to any people who still doubt the orgasmic power of scissoring, Anex says: “It’s the position where I’ve found most often two women can actually come at the same time while looking at each other, which makes it even hotter.” We are getting excited just thinking about it.
Though she had never worked in the sex toy industry before, Anex knew there was need in the community for something like this. “I’m a lesbian geek who just happened to have an idea for a sex toy for my fellow lesbians!” Anex tells GO.
She took to work with some Playdoh and molded what now is our new favorite sex toy. The Shi/Shi Union is designed to provide pleasure to both partners through clitoral stimulation while scissoring. Each partner can control their own intensity of vibration, or you can give that power to your partner (which can be super fun!). The toy has a small ridge down the middle so you can swivel away without losing control of the sex toy mid-act.
The Shi/Shi Union will be out in retail stores soon. And our bet is that it will fly off the shelves and the lesbian sex goddesses will bless us all with plentiful orgasms.
GO Magazine: This toy is so innovative. What was the genesis for it?
Gabrielle Anex: The toy spawned from my personal life. Being a lesbian, I realized that, besides the usual strap-ons and vibrators, there didn’t seem to be many options out there that really seemed to cater to lesbians. Not all women are into penetration and even the vibrators that exist are really made for one person to use. Ever tried to put one of those between you and your partner? Well there’s an obvious problem in that only one partner can really feel it since the design of the vibrator is usually like a penis. Since scissoring is a thing that I’ve enjoyed, I came up with the idea one day for a vibrator that is basically two halves of an egg-like shape that can swivel to fit each partner to be used together. I took the idea to NS Novelties and they asked me to make a “mock up” of what it would look like. So I got some Playdoh and molded it to look like what I envisioned and the Shi/Shi Union was born!
GO: So, this toy was made specifically with scissoring mind. Can you explain a bit of the mechanics behind it? And why you chose the design?
GA: While scissoring is amazing on its own, there might be times when one or both partners need or want a bit more stimulation while it’s happening. So the Shi/Shi Union is designed to swivel 360 degrees on each side to fit each partner no matter the angle your bodies are in. I wanted each side to vibrate independently so that if one woman wanted harder vibration and the other not that much, each could control it. Or you could control it for your partner, which is also fun. I also kept in mind the shape of a woman’s labia and designed it so there is a small ridge down the middle of the toy to rub against. It gives you something to “grab onto” if you will and keeps the toy in place while allowing you to grind against it. It’s not meant for penetration, but rather, to stimulate the clitoris. It could also be used for masturbation.
GO: Does each partner get to choose their own level of vibration?
GA: Yes! That’s part of what I really wanted to include in the design. The Shi/Shi Union has dual controllers so that if one woman wants a hard vibration, she can and if the other woman wants something a bit more subtle or not at all, she also has that choice.
GO: Why is it important to create space for more queer-centered sex toys in the industry?
GA: Well, as a lesbian, it’s frustrating to look for sex toys made with us in mind. You’ll find the usual strap-ons and dildos, but in my experience, those items are more for women who want penetration. There isn’t much in the way of clitoral pleasure products out there. Gay men have a plethora of sex toys available to them. I think there is this idea out there that lesbian women don’t purchase many sex toys, but I think that idea is outdated. I think if the toys are really made with lesbians in mind, there is a real market that can be successful. But companies are reluctant to really get into making them because they either don’t understand the complexities around lesbian love making or they just toss out some more huge dildos to put on a harness and think they are giving us what we want.
Lesbians are usually not as vocal about their sexual needs/desires as straight or gay men so that is why the market is somewhat deaf to what we want. My hope with creating this toy is that lesbians will at least start talking about their sex lives more openly because the way we make love is so very different than heterosexuals or gay men. I’ve been shocked by how many lesbians have already told me they want the Shi/Shi Union.
GO: What would you say to people who don’t think scissoring is a real thing?
GA: It’s interesting to me that this question comes up often and I think it really has to do with lesbians not being vocal about what we do in our bedrooms. Scissoring IS a real thing. I’ve done it. I know many folks who have done it and just because it’s something you see in porn catering to men, it doesn’t mean it isn’t something you shouldn’t try. I am surprised that sometimes gay women tell me it’s not a thing and they have never done it. How can that be? I mean, you have a pussy and a partner – try some stuff! It requires a bit of physicality but it’s something that I find is really, really hot. It’s the position where I’ve found most often two women can actually come at the same time while looking at each other, which makes it even hotter.
GO: How do you feel LGBTQ inclusive sex-ed can empower young people?
GA: There is a lot more information regarding LGBTQ sex available to this generation and I love that. When I was a teenager in the 80’s, being queer wasn’t even talked about. I knew a few gay people in high school, but they weren’t out and neither was I. I love that today kids are talking about it, coming out when they realize it and are getting much more support from their friends and families. Although I know some still struggle, it’s nice to know that in today’s world, they can jump on the internet and find out what they need to know and find support. I would hope that schools today integrate gay sexual education into their Sex Ed classes, but I bet that isn’t the case. However, the internet changed the world in that regard. I know growing up I had a hard time envisioning what I should or would do with a woman sexually and so I basically learned it as I started dating. I wouldn’t have that issue today for sure.
GO: Where do you go for inspiration when you’re feeling depleted?
GA: I enjoy biking and martial arts as two outlets for stress. But mainly I escape into books or video games or my bed. There’s something about video games that allow me to escape into another world and that’s also how I feel about books. I’m really into Sci-fi and Historical fiction, so that’s what I’m usually reading. I’m a lesbian geek who just happened to have an idea for a sex toy for my fellow lesbians!
