A
Abrosexuality, colloquially known as sexual fluidity, is a sexuality that involves feeling different levels of sexual attraction over time. This may fluctuate over a person's whole lifetime or more frequently.
For example, an abrorosexual person may find themselves more sexually attracted to men one week and then to women or nonbinary people the next, or their attraction may change in intensity.
The term abroromantic is the romantic counterpart of this sexual orientation and can be used to refer to romantic fluidity over time.
Origins of the Term
The prefix "abro-" is from the Greek habrós, which means "delicate" or "graceful." This prefix is used to symbolize the changing nature and "movement" of abroromantic people.
Alternately, one might consider the Latin meaning of the prefix: "open," symbolizing in much the same way a more free-flowing attitude about one's personal orientation(s).
Accipiosexual (also known as iamvanosexual) refers to someone who enjoys having sexual acts performed on them but who does not want to perform sexual acts on others. It is a sexual orientation on the asexual spectrum.
Accipiosexual can be a sexuality by itself or it can be combined with other sexualities. Some accipiosexual people might also identity with other asexual orientations.
The opposite of accipiosexual is placiosexual.
Origins of the Term
The term accipiosexual likely emerged in the late 2010s or early 2020s. It was added to LGBTQ+ wikis in the 2020s.
The name is believed to derive from the Latin word "accipio," meaning "to receive" or "to accept."
Aceflux refers to someone whose level of sexual attraction fluctuates. Sometimes they feel no attraction at all (classic ace vibes), and other times they feel some level of sexual attraction - maybe low-key, maybe more noticeable.
Acespec (short for asexual spectrum) is an umbrella term for anyone whose experience of sexual attraction is limited, variable, situational, or different from the allosexual norm. People on the acespec may not experience sexual attraction at all, may experience it rarely, may need specific conditions for it to occur, or may have fluctuating patterns of attraction.
People use acespec as a standalone identity label, especially when they don't feel that a more specific micro-label that fits. People also use acespec as a label when they experience attraction that is fluid, shifting, or situational, or just prefer an umbrella identity.
Acespike is an asexual-spectrum identity describing someone who usually experiences little or no sexual attraction but occasionally experiences sudden, relatively intense periods of sexual attraction before returning to their usual ace baseline. These spikes are generally temporary and may occur rarely or unpredictably.
Acespike is specifically about sexual attraction. It does not simply mean that someone:
Someone can experience any of these things and still feel little or no sexual attraction. For an acespike person, the defining feature is that sexual attraction itself occasionally appears or becomes noticeably stronger for a short period before returning to their usual ace baseline.
Acespike can be a sexual orientation on its own or can be combined with other orientations. For example, a person can be acespike and straight or gay.
Origins of the Term
The exact origin of acespike is unclear, but the term was circulating in online asexual communities by 2015. An acespike pride flag appeared on Tumblr by August 2015, and the term was being discussed on the Asexual Visibility and Education Network (AVEN) around the same time. Early discussions linked acespike with concepts such as graysexuality and aceflux, using “spike” to describe brief, sudden periods of sexual attraction against an otherwise asexual baseline. The person who originally coined the term is unknown.
Achillean is a term used to describe men or men-aligned people who are attracted towards other men. This differs from gay in that it can include other types of sexual orientations besides homosexuality.
Aegosexual, sometimes referred to as anegosexual (and historically known as autochorissexual) is an asexual orientation. People who are aegosexual experience a disconnect between themselves and the person(s) that arouse them. Aegosexuals may masturbate, have sexual fantasies or enjoy sexual content (e.g: porn, erotica etc) but they generally feel little to no sexual attraction and typically do not desire sexual activities with other people.
Origins of the Term
The term "aego" comes from the Latin ego "self" with the prefix a- meaning "without". This communicates that those using this sub-group of asexuality may find the concept of many sexual activities and ideas appealing, but they have little or no desire to personally partake in them.
Others say there is a deeper, community-rooted origin to this term, and that it was developed in online ace/aro communities (mainly on AVEN and Tumblr) as a shorthand for autochorissexuality. This long and clunky term was coined by psychologist Anthony Bogaert, combining Greek auto (“self”) with "choris" (“separate”), to mean “sexuality without identity.” Over time, communities seeking a less clinical or pathologizing label began using aegosexual (and by extension, aegoromantic) as shorthand or “reclaimed” versions of autochorissexual.
Allosexual usually refers to someone who consistently and predictably feels sexual attraction for other people.
Allosexual people may have any sexual orientation.
In contrast, people who rarely or never experience sexual attraction are considered graysexual or asexual.
"Allo: is Greek for "another," which, as a prefix, suggests "other than / beyond myself," or even "in addition to."
Almasexual describes someone who is attracted to a person’s soul, energy, or inner self rather than their gender or physical body.
Origins of the Term
Almasexual combines the Spanish word alma, meaning “soul,” with sexual, essentially meaning “soul sexual.”
Almasexual is a recent term associated with Durek Verrett, a self-described shaman and alternative spiritual practitioner who publicly described his own sexuality as “soul sexual." Verrett was publicly using “soul sexual” by 2019 to describe attraction based on a person’s soul or energy rather than their gender.
The Spanish-language form almasexual appears to have gained much wider attention in 2025, around media coverage of Verrett and the Netflix documentary "Rebel Royals: An Unlikely Love Story."
Almondsexual, also known as verian, describes someone who is primarily attracted to men, masculine-aligned genders, and/or androgynous or neutral-aligned people, while experiencing only limited or occasional attraction to women or feminine-aligned genders.
The term is often used by people who feel that broader labels such as bisexual, omnisexual, or pansexual do not fully describe their experience. Almondsexuality is generally considered part of the multisexual (m-spec) umbrella.
Because almondexual defines a pattern of attraction, it can be used by people of any gender.
The opposite of almondsexual is berrisexual, which refers to people who are primarily attracted to feminine-aligned genders.
Origins of the Term
Almondsexual is believed to have emerged in online communities like Tumblr or Reddit in the early 2020s. Google Search data shows that people began to search the term in 2024, and that online interest has grown significantly since that time.
Almondsexual belongs to a group of newer, more specific microlabels. These have emerged as people work to understand and describe their orientations more clearly. It also appears to come from a broader fruit-themed naming system used in some LGBTQ+ microlabels. These terms were likely chosen because they are friendly and distinctive. They may also play on broader queer associations with "fruity" aesthetics and terminology.
Androgynosexual is a term used to describe someone who is attracted to people with an androgynous appearance. Androgynous people have characteristics that are typically associated with both men and women. An androgynosexual person isn’t necessarily attracted to a specific gender identity, but rather to androgyny itself. For example, they might be drawn to people who look or present in a way that’s not clearly “male” or “female.”
This attraction can include:
Androgynosexuality can overlap with pansexual or bisexual attraction depending on how someone experiences it.
Origins of the Term
The term androgynosexual comes from two roots that describe both gender expression and sexual attraction. “Androgyno–” comes from "androgynous," which itself comes from the Greek "andr" (man) and "gynē" (woman), meaning having both masculine and feminine characteristics. The word appears to have emerged in online queer and identity discussions in the early 2000s–2010s, especially on forums, sexuality glossaries, and later Tumblr and LGBTQ+ wikis.
It's important to note that androgynosexual is not a widely used term, and it isn't included in many official dictionaries. But it is a term that some people use to describe their sexual orientation.
Androsexual usually refers to someone who experiences sexual and/or romantic attraction to masculinity, regardless of the gender identity of the person expressing it. The term focuses on the masculine traits or presentation, rather than binary gender labels like “man” or “male.”
An androsexual person may be attracted to men, masculine-presenting non-binary people, or transmasculine individuals. It’s often used by non-binary, gender-diverse, or questioning people who don’t feel aligned with traditional orientation labels like “gay” or “straight.” The emphasis is on energy, presentation, and aesthetic masculinity, not necessarily anatomy or gender assignment.
Animesexual describes someone who experiences sexual attraction to anime or manga characters, or whose sexual attraction is primarily/exclusively directed toward anime-style fictional characters. It may overlap with fictosexuality, fictophilia, or attraction to “2D” characters. Some people see the orientation as a form of asexuality or graysexuality because their attraction does not extend to the real world.
Some people use the term seriously to describe their attraction patterns, while others use it casually, jokingly, or as a meme online. Because “anime” is not a gender, animesexual is widely debated and is not generally accepted as an LGBTQ+ identity on its own.
Another close variant of this term is called mangasexuality, which refers to sexual attraction to manga characters. (Anime refers to Japanese-style animation, while manga refers to comics or graphic novels.) Sometimes both mangasexuality and animesexuality are grouped under animatesexuality, a broader term that refers to sexual attraction to animated or cartoon-style fictional characters.
Origins of the Term
Animesexual is believed to have been coined in 2016 on Tumblr. Later that year, the same blog expanded the idea into related labels such as animeromantic, mangaromantic, animesensual, and animealterous, placing the term within a broader internet taxonomy of fictional-character attraction.
Although the word may have appeared casually online before then, public search interest appears to have taken off around 2020–2021, when the term became caught up in debates over whether it was a sincere ace-spectrum/fictosexual microlabel, fandom slang, a fetish term, or a joke identity.
Aposexual describes individuals who do not experience sexual attraction and also feel entirely detached from sexual attraction as a concept. It’s not just the absence of attraction, it’s a sense that sexual attraction has no relevance or connection to their identity or experiences.
Aposexual is sometimes also defined as sexual desire that doesn't connect to real people. In this case, an aposexual can experience sexual feelings, fantasies, and arousal, but they do not feel sexual attraction towards individuals in their lives, at least not in a way they would want to act on.
Aromanticism is defined as "having little or no romantic feeling towards others: experiencing little or no romantic desire or attraction"
The term asexual usually refers to a person who experiences low or no sexual attraction towards others. Other types of attraction can be experienced such as sensual, aesthetic, romantic, or physical.
It is important to note that asexuality does not always mean abstinence or sex aversion. Plenty of asexuals enjoy having sex, they just don't experience sexual attraction much or at all.
Asexual people can have any romantic leaning that allosexual people also have. They form bonds and romantic feelings with people in much the same way, only with a lessened or total lack of sexual attraction to go along with it.
Asexuality may also be divided into three major groups:
Asexuality and the Asexuality Spectrum
In both speech and writing, asexual is sometimes shortened to "ace." Because there are many different types of asexuality, some people will also refer to themselves as "ace spec," "aspect" or on the asexuality spectrum.
Aspec is an umbrella term for anyone on the asexual and/or aromantic spectrums. Because both are spectrums, they encompass a wide range of experiences, from a complete lack of attraction to feeling it only under specific circumstances.
This identity is often best understood through the split attraction model, which differentiates between romantic and sexual attraction. This allows for a more nuanced understanding of a person's desires; for example, a person can be asexual but still experience romantic attraction, or be aromantic but still experience sexual attraction.
As an identity that often requires a person to deconstruct and rebuild traditional relationship scripts, aspec aligns perfectly with the philosophy of relational anarchy. Aspec people often aim to build intimacy and commitment around values and forms of connection that are not reliant on romance or sexuality.
Aurasexual can be defined two ways:
- Aurasexual can refer to a person who is attracted to the “aura” or vibe of others. It’s similar to pansexual orientation, but specifically tied to perceiving and being drawn to someone's emotional or energetic essence. It is not based on gender.
- Aurasexual can also describe an orientation where someone experiences long periods of sexual (or romantic) attraction, punctuated by short intervals with little or no attraction.
Autosexual usually refers to a person who feels sexual attraction to themselves and may become aroused by their own body, image, or fantasies involving themselves.
Some autosexuals also prefer masturbation or other forms of self-pleasure over partnered sex, though others may enjoy both. They may engage in self-pleasure privately or in the presence of others. Many autosexuals also enjoy masturbating with partners, including people who are not autosexual.
Autosexuals may be more physically attracted to themselves than to others, or they may have strong attraction to others but still choose solo sexual expression as their preferred outlet.
The term is sometimes confused with solosexual, which specifically refers to people who primarily or exclusively engage in solo sex. While the two identities can overlap, autosexuality emphasizes self-directed attraction, whereas solosexuality emphasizes solo sexual practice.
B
BDSM-oriented (sometimes BDSM-sexual) refers to a person whose primary or significant sexual and romantic attraction is linked to BDSM dynamics, roles, or power exchange. For these individuals, BDSM is not just an activity but a core part of how they experience desire and connection.
The term is sometimes used by people who feel their sexuality is fundamentally tied to kink. For example, it might be used by someone who is masochistic, sadistic, dominance-focused, submission-focused, or requires pain, bondage or discipline to get off. In this case, the term doesn't so much describe the types of people a BDSM-oriented person is attracted to but the way they get turned on.
Some BDSM-oriented people report that vanilla relationships do not meet their needs, or that attraction is difficult to access without elements of power, control, or negotiated play. For a minority, BDSM is the only way sexual or romantic intimacy feels fulfilling or authentic. For these people, kink dynamics are central to their being attracted to another person.
There is a paper published in Current Sexual Health Reports that gives a good overview of the research on BDSM as an orientation. The research suggests BDSM may function as an orientation for some individuals, rather than as a hobby or preference alone.
Some see this orientation as controversial, worrying it might blur distinctions with LGBTQ+ identities or echo past attempts to label queer orientations as inherently sexual or inappropriate. Other people see a BDSM orientation as affirming because they feel their kinkiness is a central part of their sexual identity, much like sexual orientation.
Benignosexual describes someone who is romantically or sexually attracted to kindness and compassionate actions, rather than focusing on physical traits or other qualities. This attraction is deeply rooted in the warmth and gentleness of others.
Origins of the Term
Derived from the Latin "benignus" (meaning kind or gentle) and "sexual," the term highlights a preference for kindness as a defining feature of attraction. It’s a relatively recent addition to the evolving language of romantic and sexual identities.
Berrisexual describes someone who experiences attraction to people of all genders, but whose attraction to men or masculine-aligned genders is rare, weak, or noticeably less intense than their attraction to women, feminine-aligned genders, and/or non-binary people.
It functions similarly to terms like pansexual or omnisexual, but includes an important distinction: the attraction is not equal across genders. Specifically, attraction toward men tends to be lower than attraction toward others.
Origins of the Term
Berrisexual is a relatively new microlabel that appears to have emerged within queer and LGBTQIA+ community spaces online, particularly Tumblr and fandom-style wikis. Unlike older terms like bisexual or pansexual, berrisexual does not have a formally documented historical origin or single known creator. It developed organically through community language, personal identification, and shared tagging across digital queer spaces. Microlabels like this are often created so people can describe something more precise than the current terminology allows. Because it is community-driven rather than academically defined, usage and exact wording may vary.
Bicurious is a term that is often (but not always) used in reference to someone who has historically labeled themselves as heterosexual or homosexual, but they are now curious about their sexuality. This person is now open to exploring a sexual encounter someone whose sex differs from their usual sexual partners. This can include being attracted to nonbinary people as well.
Bi-friendly describes someone who is open to sexual or romantic experiences with more than one gender, but who does not consistently experience bisexual attraction.
It usually means:
- They are comfortable with the idea of attraction to multiple genders
- They may have experimented or may be curious
- But bisexuality is not a stable or central part of their orientation
Bi-friendly people may never actually act on it. Being bi-friendly is about openness, not behavior.
Bi-situational describes someone who may have sexual or romantic experiences with more than one gender in certain situations, even if that isn’t how they usually identify or who they normally seek out.
It focuses on behavior and context, not on a person’s core orientation. For example, someone might mostly date or desire one gender, but be open to or enjoy same-gender or other-gender experiences in specific spaces. This could include at kink events, parties, or play spaces, or just when the chemistry or mood feels right.
Because it’s about what someone does in certain settings, bi-situationality is different from:
- Bisexuality (ongoing attraction to more than one gender)
- Heterosexuality or homosexuality (ongoing attraction to one gender)
Some bi-situational people may later identify as bisexual, heteroflexible, or something else. Others see their situational experiences as separate from their everyday orientation.
Usually refers to a person who is physically attracted to people of more than one sex or gender, not necessarily at the same time, in the same way, or to the same degree.
C
Caedsexual is a microlabel on the asexual spectrum describing someone who once experienced sexual attraction but no longer does, usually because of trauma, negative experiences, or a major emotional shift. The attraction is not merely reduced. It feels cut off, “broken,” or separated from the person’s current sense of self.
People who use this term often describe:
- Having had sexual attraction in the past.
- No longer feeling sexual attraction in the present.
- The change being tied to trauma, stress, or emotional burnout.
- Difficulty connecting current desire to their past experiences.
The term does not imply anything permanent; it simply names a lived experience.
Origins of the Term
“Caed” comes from the Latin "caedere," meaning “to cut.” Many users describe the label as representing the sense that their capacity for attraction feels “cut away.”
The term originated in online MOGAI/ace-spectrum spaces as a way to make room for people whose asexuality is trauma-influenced without defining them by trauma.
Cassexual refers to people who don’t consider their sexual orientation to be an important part of who they are. A cassexual person may experience attraction in any pattern (heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, pansexual, demisexual, graysexual, etc.) but those labels don’t feel meaningful, central, or necessary to their identity.
Cassexuality doesn’t describe how much sexual attraction someone feels, whether they enjoy sex, or whether they are sex-averse, sex-indifferent, or sex-favorable. It simply describes a relationship to orientation. Their sexuality isn’t a defining or significant part of their sense of self. Cassexual can be used alongside other orientations or on its own.
A cratosexual is someone whose sexual attraction is influenced by another person's perceived power, particularly how that person's power compares with their own.
That does not necessarily mean being attracted to someone who is much more or less powerful. Someone might be attracted to a person they see as equally powerful, similarly accomplished, or capable of matching them. What matters is that perceptions of power play a role in the attraction.
“Power” can mean social status or authority, but it may also include qualities such as physical strength, intelligence, influence, confidence, or dominance.
In a kink context, cratosexual attraction may overlap with power-based play or relationships, but it is not inherently about D/s or unequal power. Two people who see each other as equals may still be attracted to one another partly because of each other's perceived power.
Origins of the Term
Cratosexual appears to have originated in the Spanish-speaking asexual community. A 2015 AVEN discussion quotes an earlier AVEN forum post in which a user says they coined the Spanish term "cratosexualidad." They described it as attraction that occurs when there is a large difference in power between two people, with intelligence and physical strength given as examples.
The name likely comes from the Ancient Greek "kratos," meaning power, strength or dominion.
Cupiosexual is a term used to describe someone who desires a sexual relationship but doesn't experience sexual attraction.
Characteristics of a Cupiosexual
Although individual experiences differ, in general, cupiosexuals:
- Don't experience sexual attraction: This means they don't feel that initial spark or physiological response to someone that's typically associated with sexual attraction.
- Desire a sexual relationship: Despite the lack of initial attraction, cupiosexual people may still want to be in a sexual relationship for various reasons. This could be for intimacy, emotional closeness, or other factors.
It's important to note that cupiosexuality falls under the asexual umbrella. Asexuality is a spectrum, and cupiosexuality describes a specific way someone experiences (or doesn't experience) sexual attraction.
D
Demian (also known as demi², demirose, demi squared, or demi-aroace) describes someone who is both demisexual and demiromantic. A demian person experiences sexual and romantic attraction only after forming a deep emotional bond.
Because it combines both demiromantic and demisexual orientations, demian can be understood as a type of aroace identity.
A common misconception is that demisexual people are “picky” or “frigid.” In reality, demisexuality is a valid orientation, just like heterosexuality or homosexuality. The key difference is that sexual attraction isn’t immediate but arises within the context of an established emotional connection.
Origins of the Term
Demian is a relatively recent label that appears to have been coined on Reddit in 2019 or 2020. The prefix "demi" has been used for longer in other orientation terms like demisexual and demiromantic. Together, these terms under the "demi" umbrella gave rise to identities like demian.
Demiaroace (sometimes written demi-aroace) refers to a person who is both aromantic-spectrum and asexual-spectrum, and who may experience romantic or sexual attraction only after deep emotional connection, if at all. This orientation combines parts of demiromantic, demisexual, aromantic, and asexual experiences, but it’s not identical to any one of them.
A demiaroace person generally:
- Does not normally experience romantic or sexual attraction
- But may experience attraction only after forming a deep emotional bond
- Even then, that attraction may be rare, low-intensity, or infrequent
Demiflexible is an informal term used by people who identify primarily as demisexual but occasionally experience attraction outside of a deep emotional connection. The term is often used by people who feel that other labels do not fully capture their experiences.
Demiflexible is generally considered part of the asexual spectrum (ace spectrum) because it describes a pattern of attraction that is centered around demisexuality. Like other ace-spectrum identities, it recognizes that sexual attraction can occur infrequently, under specific circumstances, or in ways that differ from the experiences of many allosexual people. However, not everyone who uses the term necessarily identifies as asexual.
Refers to a person who usually develops sexual attraction towards someone after establishing a deep emotional connection with them. This is a form of graysexuality.
The prefix “demi” means “half.” Someone who is demisexual often experiences 'half' of sexual attraction as they may tend to experience what is known as secondary sexual attraction (e.g: the type of attraction that builds over time) rather than primary sexual attraction (e.g: the faster attraction felt by allosexuals in situations like first meeting a stranger or having a crush on a celebrity).
The defining characteristic of demisexuals is that they usually feel sexually attracted to someone after establishing an emotional bond but they may still have partner gender preferences e.g: be gay, straight, bisexual, or pansexual etc. The frequency at which demisexuals experience sexual attraction can vary from person to person and doesn't necessarily affect libido.
To be even more precise, A "demisexual," by literal definition, implies "50% sexually-inclined," with the other 50% consisting of a combination of other blended identities. Even if the other 50% was expressly named as "demiromantic," for example, the one stated (alone or first) implies the more closely-held identity. The demisexual, in this case, would be said to prioritize sex over romance.
Dyke refers to a lesbian who is physically, romantically, and/or emotionally attracted to someone of the same sex or gender.
Misconceptions About the Term
Those outside the dyke community might think of dyke as a "sexual orientation" grounded in a masculine or androgynous (lesbian) gender identity or think that dyke equals butch (we can see this in the slur "bulldyke"). Part of this is historically grounded in the difficulty heterosexuals have with understanding gender where it comes to lesbians and not recognizing lesbians and (dyke) bisexuals when they present as feminine or femme.
Masculine or masc-of-center dykes are more visible; in contrast, feminine or femme dykes have too often be read as heterosexual. This is one of the reasons why masculine or masc-of-center dykes have received more attention and (thus) more violence. Understanding dykes as not (really) belonging to feminine and femme dykes – and not recognizing that feminine and femme dykes historically having been at the front of the struggle for recognition – contributes to that erasure. Historically, cisheteronormativity, homophobia, and (cis)sexism have gone hand in hand.
The self-identity of dyke, then, is not specific or restricted to any specific (lesbian) gender identity. Dyke is an increasingly inclusive term, also used by pansexual and bisexual (cis and trans) women as well as AFAB folk who identify as non-binary, and trans men too.
Political and Historical Context
Dyke is a term that has historically been reclaimed by the lesbian community in response to the term historically used pejoratively as a homophobic and (cis)sexist slur by those outside the LGBTQ community. In that sense, identifying as ‘dyke’ is a political act of resistance.
It is fair to suggest, then, that dyke is a political identity, which recognizes dyke history and activism. Examples include the Dyke March, Dykes on Bikes, Rebel Dykes, SM Dykes, but also Alison Bechdel's Dykes to Watch Out For). An identity of dyke, then, includes an existential and political challenge to cisheteronormativity, homophobia, and cis/sexism.
As an orientation, "dyke" is chosen by those who find it empowering for themselves. Those who identify as "dyke, then, situate themselves in a genealogy of Dyke Elders, Dyke History and Dyke Pride.
E
Ecosexual usually describes people who feel a sexual or sensual connection to nature. This can include attraction to natural elements like trees, water, earth, weather, or landscapes.
For some people, ecosexuality is about touch, pleasure, and sensory experiences in nature. For others, it’s more about emotional connection, respect, or seeing the Earth as a partner rather than just a place.
Ecosexuality typically isn't about sex so much as big, erotic feelings and cherishing the earth as you would a lover. That said, some people do engage in sexual acts outdoors or with the natural environment as well.
Origins of the Term
The ecosexual movement is believed to have been founded around 2016 by Elizabeth Stephens and Annie Sprinkle, who were looking to make environmentalism more fun and sexy. The couple married the earth, sky, sun, sea, moon, and Appalachian mountains in various ceremonies around the world.
They see the movement as a creative strategy for environmental activism, one that helps people more fully feel the stakes when it comes to environmental protection.
Enbian refers to a non-binary individual who is attracted exclusively or non-exclusively to other non-binary individuals.
Someone who identifies as enbian could be anywhere on the sexuality spectrum, be that multisexual, queer, lesbian, and others. The term aims to unite all non-binary individuals who love other non-binary individuals, as well as acting as a sexuality descriptor.
The term enbian can be used along with other orientations or as a single, more broad one. It can be used in many ways, some of which are:
- To emphasize attraction to non-binary individuals.
- As a more broad term with a less-defined meaning.
- As a way of rejecting more specific terms/labels for oneself.
- When someone is uncertain of where they fall on the sexuality spectrum, but knows that they experience enbian attraction.
F
Faggot is a reclaimed slur used by some gay, queer, and men-loving-men individuals as an identity label. While the term was historically used as a homophobic insult, some people have reclaimed it to express pride, resistance, or connection to queer and leather subcultures. Because the term remains highly offensive to many people, it should not be used to describe someone unless they have explicitly claimed it for themselves.
For some, identifying as a faggot represents more than simply being attracted to men. It means they are embracing traits that have historically been stigmatized within mainstream society and even the LGBTQ+ community itself. This includes traits like femininity, flamboyance, submissiveness, or unapologetic queerness.
In some queer, leather, and BDSM communities, faggot may also be used as a consensual identity, role, or form of address. Depending on the individuals involved, the term can be used affectionately, erotically, politically, or as part of power exchange dynamics.
Origins of the Term
The word faggot originally referred to a bundle of sticks or twigs tied together for fuel. It entered English through Old French fagot and was used with that meaning for centuries.
The exact origin of its use as a slur for gay men is unclear. The earliest known examples appear in American slang from the early 1900s, where it was used to refer to effeminate or homosexual men. Linguists have proposed several explanations for this shift in meaning, but no single theory has been conclusively proven.
It is important to note, though, that the term as a slur proliferated in the United States, not other parts of the world, or even Britain, where it was believed to originate.
Statistics About the Term Faggot
A 2021 study of queer young adults found that faggot was one of the homophobic terms participants reported hearing most often in homes, schools, and online spaces.
Research on LGBTQ+ slurs has found that attitudes toward reclaimed terms vary significantly based on sexual identity, age, and personal experience. People who participate in reclamation tend to view such terms as less negative, offensive, and taboo than those who do not.
A 2024 study found that queer cis men who placed greater importance on traditional masculinity were also more likely to use the term faggot. This suggests that it can sometimes function as a way of policing gender expression and masculinity within queer communities
Controversy
The reclamation of faggot remains controversial, even within LGBTQ+ communities.
Supporters of reclamation argue that using the term as a self-identifier can be a powerful act of resistance. By embracing a word that was historically used to shame and marginalize gay men, some people seek to strip it of its power and celebrate forms of queerness that have often been stigmatized.
Others argue that the term's history is too painful to be fully reclaimed. Many gay men experienced the term faggot primarily as a slur. For them, it is hard not to associate this word with bullying, discrimination, violence, and social exclusion. As a result, they may view its casual use as inappropriate or harmful.
Attitudes toward the term may also vary based on personal experience and generation. People who grew up during periods of greater anti-gay hostility may have a different relationship to the word than younger generations. However, views on the term vary widely and cannot be predicted by age alone.
The term's use in BDSM and power exchange, particularly in humiliation play, is complex. Some people see these uses as a form of reclamation, a way of taking control of a word that was once used to hurt them. Others argue that the term's impact still comes from its history as a homophobic slur, making it difficult to separate from that history. As a result, opinions about its use in kink vary widely, even within queer and leather communities.
Fictosexual is an identity for someone who is attracted to fictional characters, rather than or in addition to real-life people. This can include characters from anime, comics, novels, games, or original fictional worlds. Fictosexuality can be a core identity or simply part of someone's erotic imagination. This is most common in fandom and kink communities where fantasy and roleplay are integral.
Fictosexuals don’t just “like characters." They may build entire internal relationships with them, navigating desire, intimacy, identity, and safety within fictional realms. For some, these characters offer something that real people cannot: controlled intimacy, safety, consistency, or affirmation of self. That doesn’t make the love or arousal less real, only different.
Fictosexuality may co-exist with neurodivergence, ace-spectrum identities, and gender exploration.
Finsexual is a sexual orientation describing attraction to people who embody or express femininity (thus the name: FIN = Feminine-In-Nature), whether through their gender identity or presentation. A finsexual person may be attracted to women, feminine-aligned nonbinary individuals, and men or other genders who present femininely.
The emphasis is on femininity itself, rather than on any one gender. What qualifies as “feminine” is subjective and may vary from person to person.
The term has been deemed very similar to the term gynesexual (as the prefix "gyne" focuses on female anatomy), but because gynesexual has multiple and sometimes anatomy-focused definitions, finsexual provides a clearer alternative.
Florasexual is an identity that describes someone who is aroused by flowers, either romantically, sexually, aesthetically, or a combination of the three. A florasexual may be more aroused by the presence of flowers, or have a direct sexual interest in flowers, their smell, their appearance, and their feel.
Origins of the Term
Florasexual is a term that originated in online MOGAI (marginalized orientations, gender alignments, and intersex) spaces. It is not medically or academically recognized, and may overlap with things like fictosexuality. Some people use it seriously as part of their identity; others explore it more playfully or artistically.
Fluctuating or evolving sexuality are both ways to describe someone whose sexual orientation or attraction isn't fixed. Here's a breakdown of the terms:
Fluctuating: This term emphasizes the idea of change over time. Someone who is fluctuating sexually might experience attraction to different genders or in different intensities at various points in their life.
Evolving: This term focuses on the ongoing development of one's sexuality. It suggests that a person's understanding of their own attraction may change and grow over time as they learn more about themselves and their experiences.
Both terms are closely related to the concept of sexual fluidity, which describes a spectrum where a person's attraction can move around over time. A sexually fluid person might be attracted to multiple genders, and the intensity or nature of that attraction can change.
Fraysexual is considered a form of graysexuality and can be described as the opposite of demisexuality. A fraysexual person experiences less or no sexual attraction with people they are deeply connected with, or may lose attraction when a relationship is getting emotionally closer and/or more stable.
G
Gay is usually an umbrella term that refers to a person who is physically, romantically, and/or emotionally attracted to someone of the same sex or gender.
Often "gay" as a sexual orientation refers more specifically to male-identifying people who are attracted to other male-identifying people rather than to lesbians but colloquially it can be used to mean homosexual.
Some people who are gay may also be attracted to non-binary people. This could be an attraction to people whose gender presentation is the same as their own (similar to finsexual or androsexual), or who were assigned the same sex/gender at birth, or it could be an attraction only to people whose physical attributes (genitals etc) are the same as their own (similar to gynesexual). Some non-binary people who consider themselves gay may spell it "gai" to signify the unique way they experience gay attraction.
Graysexual (also spelled greysexual) usually refers to a person who experiences sexual attraction under very limited and specific circumstances or someone whose sexual attraction is anywhere in the gray area between allosexual and asexual.
Also known as gray-asexual or gray-ace.
Gynesexual, or Gynosexual, usually refers to a person who is attracted to femininity or female anatomy regardless of a person’s gender identity.
H
Hedonesexual is an acespec (asexual spectrum) identity for someone who experiences sexual attraction and/or wants sexual relationships, but when they actually have sex, they are unable to experience pleasure. This lack of pleasure might be linked to medical issues, trauma, or other factors.
A hedonesexual person can still use other labels (like gay, bi, pan, etc.) to describe who they’re attracted to. Hedonesexual specifically describes the mismatch between having attraction/wanting sex and not feeling pleasure during sex. Some people who are hedonesexual because of trauma may also identify as caedsexual.
Origins of the Term
The term is believed to have been coined on LGBTW wikis in 2021. The word comes from the Greek "hedone," the Greek goddess of pleasure.
This term refers to people who are mostly attracted to the "opposite" gender but are also open to some form of play, romance or sexual contact with the same sex or gender (or with those whose sex / gender falls outside the male/female binary).
The meaning of heteroflexibility is subjective; there's not just one way to be heteroflexible, for some people the attraction may be physical, aesthetic, romantic, sexual, emotional, or a combination of these.
Heterosexual usually refers to someone who experiences romantic and/or sexual attraction exclusively or primarily toward people of the opposite binary gender. It typically refers to men attracted to women and women attracted to men.
The term is more clinical and formal than “straight,” and is often used in academic, psychological, or medical settings.
Heterotypical is a term for people whose sexual attraction and relationships typically fall within heterosexual bounds, but make exceptions for those whose genders fall outside of traditional male/female categories.
Homocurious means being curious about attraction to the same gender.
It usually describes someone who:
- Is wondering if they might be into the same gender
- Is open to trying it or thinking about it
- Doesn’t necessarily identify as gay or bisexual
It’s about curiosity, not a fixed label.
Origins of the Term Homocurious
Homocurious is a blend of "homo" (from "homosexual") and "curious" (meaning interested or exploring.) It started showing up in casual conversation and media in the 1990s–early 2000s, as discussions about sexuality became more open and fluid. The term gave people a way to describe interest or experimentation without committing to a label.
It’s informal slang that grew naturally as people looked for a softer, more flexible way to talk about exploring same-gender attraction.
Homoflexible usually describes someone who is primarily attracted to people of the same gender, but is occasionally or situationally open to attraction to other genders. It sits between “gay/lesbian” and “bisexual” on the orientation spectrum. It is often used by people who lean mostly toward same-gender attraction but acknowledge some fluidity.
A homoflexible person may primarily seek same-gender partners, but occasionally connect with someone outside that pattern, often in specific contexts like kink scenes, power dynamics, or emotional bonds. Some use the label to honor a mostly homosexual identity while still acknowledging rare exceptions, without fully identifying as bisexual or pansexual.
Generally refers to a male or female who are attracted to their same sex or gender.
I
Desiring sexual acts performed on oneself, and not wanting to perform sexual acts on others.
This is also called "accipiosexual."
K
inksexual (also know as kink-exclusive or obligate kinky) usually describes someone who needs kink for sexual arousal, engagement or fulfillment. For a kinksexual, vanilla sex, regardless of the emotional intimacy or partner, is experienced as unappealing, flat or dissociating.
The term appears most commonly in BDSM, polyamory, and sex-positive online communities rather than in clinical or academic language.
L
Usually refers to a woman who is physically, romantically, and/or emotionally attracted to someone of the same sex or gender. Some non-binary people also identify with this term.
Lithosexual (also called lithsexual or akoisexual ) is a sexual orientation on the asexual spectrum in which a person experiences sexual attraction but does not want that attraction reciprocated, or may lose interest when it is reciprocated.
This orientation is almost the opposite of reciprosexual, which refers to a person who does not experience sexual attraction to someone until they know that person is sexually attracted to them first.
Origins of the Term Lithosexual
The term lithosexual emerged emerged from Tumblr's ace and aro communities by 2014. It was coined by Tumblr user stopanthropomorphizingme (Ian), who took the prefix lith- from the Greek "lithos," meaning “stone,” as a reference to Stone identity in queer culture. The connection generated some controversy over the use of terminology associated with lesbian Stone identities, leading to the creation of the alternative term akoisexual. Today, lithosexual, lithsexual, and akoisexual are generally used interchangeably.
Traits
- Experience sexual attraction, but often prefer for it not to be reciprocated.
- Feel strongly attracted to someone until they learn that person is attracted to them too.
- Find that attraction fades, weakens, or disappears once it becomes mutual.
- Enjoy sexual fantasies, crushes, or attraction more when there is distance or no expectation that anything will happen.
- Feel uncomfortable with being desired, or find it uninteresting.
- Like the idea of someone sexually but lose interest when that person becomes realistically available.
- Be comfortable giving or experiencing attraction one-sidedly without wanting the other person to respond.
- Still want relationships, intimacy, masturbation, or sex for reasons other than sexual attraction.
M
A megasexual is someone who experiences sexual attraction as the primary driver of connection. For megasexuals, a strong erotic spark isn’t optional - it’s the foundation. Without it, deeper emotional or romantic bonds may never form. The level of sexual connection it takes for an emotional bond to form is often dependent on the initial attraction to the person. Megasexuals may or may not be non-monogamous. It is an orientation that is not chosen but is often discouraged due to sex-negative attitudes.
Megasexual may be considered the opposite of demisexual. It's used more as a descriptor (“I’m megasexual”), rather than a validated orientation in clinical or scholarly settings.
Origins of the Term
This term was coined by Dr. Liz Powell and The Frisky Fairy in 2015. "Mega" refers to "great," indicating that a megasexual does not feel an emotional connection with someone unless they share great sex! The term has since been used online in blog discussions, polyamory forums, and kink communities as a label for sex-first orientation.
Merosexual is an orientation in which a person may be OK with, or feel favorable towards, some sexual acts, but be averse to or repulsed by others. The comfort level is often context- or partner-dependent and may evolve over time. It's often used by people on the asexual spectrum.
Origins of the Term
The term's earliest known origin was on the Tumblr blog MOGAI Pride Flags. (MOGAI stand for marginalized orientations, gender alignments, and intersex.) However, because this blog states that it does not coin terms, the term's origins are likely earlier.
Minsexual refers to someone who is attracted to those who are masculine in nature, whether that's their gender or presentation. This means minsexual individuals are attracted to men, masculine-aligned and/or presenting non-binary individuals, and potentially masculine women. Minsexual is not synonymous with the attraction to men, as it is the attraction to masculinity. What counts as "masculine in nature" is up to the individual.
The term has been deemed very similar to the term androsexual and is sometimes and in some cases considered synonymous, however, due to androsexual having multiple definitions, minsexual is still a unique term.
Monosexual describes a person who is attracted to only one gender.
Someone who is monosexual experiences sexual or romantic attraction toward a single gender rather than multiple genders. The term is often used in discussions of sexual orientation to contrast with multisexual orientations (such as bisexual or pansexual).
Examples of monosexual orientations include heterosexual and homosexual.
Origins of the Term
The term monosexual combines two word parts. “Mono,” from the Greek "monos," means “one,” and “sexual,” from the Latin "sexualis," which relates to sex or sexual attraction.
The idea behind the term existed long before the word itself. For most of the 20th century, sexuality was commonly framed as two main categories: heterosexual and homosexual.
People who were attracted to only one gender were simply described using those terms. The umbrella concept “monosexual” was not widely used.
The term monosexual began appearing in the 1990s in queer theory, bisexual activism, and academic discussions about sexual orientation. Writers used the term to create a contrast with bisexuality or multisexuality. Instead of saying “heterosexual and homosexual people,” scholars could refer to them collectively as monosexual people.
Morosexual is a slang, tongue-in-cheek label for people who feel sexual or romantic attraction to those they perceive as less intelligent than themselves. The attraction typically centers on intellectual imbalance. It is not generally considered a formal orientation label, but more of a meme or playful descriptor.
Origins of the Term
The prefix moro- comes from “moron." The term emerged as a humorous or ironic internet term in queer and fandom spaces (often paired with “sapiosexual,” which describes attraction to intelligence).
Mutosexual describes someone whose sexual attraction changes over time or in response to different situations. A mutosexual person may be attracted to different genders at different times, or find that their orientation shifts depending on context, mood, environment, or relationship dynamics.
Origins of the Term
Mutosexual appears to be a niche LGBTQ+ microlabel coined online in 2020. Unlike broader identity terms that spread through community use, memes, or activism, mutosexual seems to come mainly from MOGAI/LGBTQIA+ wiki culture, where many highly specific orientation labels are documented.
The term comes from the Latin "muto," meaning “change."
Myrsexual is an asexual-spectrum identity for someone who identifies with or experiences multiple ace-spec identities at once. Rather than one label fully describing their experience of sexual attraction, a myrsexual person may find that several ace-spectrum terms apply to them simultaneously.
These identities may overlap, or the person may shift between them over time. As a result, no single ace-spec label may fully describe their experience. For example, someone might identify as both graysexual and demisexual, or relate to several other ace-spec microlabels depending on the circumstances.
Ace-spectrum labels can describe different aspects of a person's experience, so identifying with more than one doesn't necessarily mean the labels contradict each other. Someone might experience sexual attraction very rarely, for example, while also finding that it becomes more likely after forming a strong emotional bond. Myrsexual gives people a way to describe that kind of overlap without choosing a single microlabel.
Myrsexual can be similar to aceflux, but a myrsexual individual is not always fluid between their labels.
N
Nebulasexual is a modern, community-made term that emerged from the asexual and neurodivergent spaces of Tumblr in the early-to-mid 2010s. It is believed to have been coined around 2014, and has been popping up online ever since.
The word comes from “nebula,” meaning something cloudy, hard to see, or undefined. It was chosen because many neurodivergent people described their attraction as “foggy,” “blurry,” or “mixed together."
Neosexual is a term that has been used in several different ways, and there is no universally accepted definition.
In some LGBTQ+ communities, neosexual refers to a person who is attracted specifically or exclusively to people who use neopronouns. (Neopronouns are pronouns outside more common sets such as he/him, she/her, or they/them.) Under this definition, attraction is based on a person's use of neopronouns rather than their gender identity.
More broadly, neosexuality has occasionally been used online as an umbrella term for newer or nontraditional sexual orientations that are not defined solely by the gender(s) someone is attracted to. Under this usage, identities such as demisexual, abrosexual, and other orientations that describe how or when attraction occurs may be grouped under the label. However, this definition is not widely established, and usage appears to be relatively niche.
In academic contexts, German sexologist Volkmar Sigusch used the term neosexualities to describe changing forms of sexuality that emerged in modern society. His concept referred not to specific orientations, but to broader shifts in sexual identities, relationships, and expressions that differ from traditional understandings of sexuality. For example, Sigusch used the concept to describe phenomena such as the separation of sex from reproduction, the increasing individualization of sexual identity, and new forms of intimacy made possible by social and technological change.
In popular culture and men's lifestyle writing, neosexual has also been used to describe a modern type of man. This version of the term may have been coined by Australian Demographer Bernard Salt, in his book "From Cavemen to Mankind." In this context, a neosexual embraces traits traditionally viewed as feminine, such as fashion, grooming, emotional openness, and self-expression.
Because these definitions come from different communities and traditions, people using the term neosexual may not mean the same thing.
Neptunic is a sexual orientation in which a person is attracted to women, feminine, or neutral/non-binary individuals. Basically, neptunic people attracted to all genders except men and masculine-aligned individuals.
Someone who is neptunic may also be referred to as a nomascsexual.
Ninsexual refers to someone who is attracted to those who are neutral or non-binary in nature (hence the term NIN), whether that is their gender or presentation.
Someone who identifies as ninsexual can experience attraction to any gender presenting neutral/androgynous and/or any neutral/non-binary genders. This also includes non-binary individuals who present masculinely or femininely. What counts as neutral/non-binary in nature is up to the individual.
Noetisexual describes someone who experiences sexual attraction to a person’s mental landscape, such as their way of thinking, perceiving, processing, imagining, reasoning, expressing humor, or making emotional and intellectual space for others. The term focuses on attraction to a person’s inner world rather than their physical appearance, gender, or traditional “intelligence” markers.
People who identify as noetisexual may be drawn to:
- Someone’s worldview or perspective
- Creativity, imagination, or playfulness
- Emotional intelligence or introspection
- Unique communication styles
- The feeling of being “held,” seen, or understood mentally.
While often compared to sapiosexuality, noetisexuality is not solely about intelligence. It centers on a person’s internal landscape, not their IQ or academic mind.
Some individuals also use noetisexual to describe a demisexual-like experience in which sexual attraction arises only after forming a deep mental or intellectual bond.
Origins of the Term
The term noetisexual was coined by author and intersexuality expert Michon Neal on October 28, 2016 as an alternative to sapiosexual.
The word comes from “noetic,” rooted in the Greek "noētikos," which means “of the mind, intellect, or inner knowing." Noetic refers to intuitive understanding, deep perception, insight, and mental presence.
Michon Neal describes it as:
“It’s a mental attraction rather than a purely intellectual one. It’s loving the shape of someone’s mental landscape and wanting to explore it—their creativity, their ingenuity, their humor, their emotional intelligence, the way they use words, the way they make space for you in their mind, and more.”
Novosexual refers to someone whose experience of sexual attraction is fluid and changes over time. This can mean that the intensity, frequency, or even the genders they are attracted to may shift, often unpredictably.
This term is related to sexual fluidity, but the latter is a broader term. It may overlap with novosexuality but doesn’t always capture the same nuance.
Origins of the Term
The prefix "novo-" comes from the Latin word "novus," meaning "new" or "change." This term likely emerged as part of the broader lexicon of sexual and romantic orientations, reflecting the diversity and fluidity of human experiences.
How to Understand Novosexuality
For someone identifying as novosexual, it might involve embracing the fluidity of their attractions without feeling the need to conform to fixed labels. This identity can be empowering for those who find that their experiences don’t fit neatly into traditional categories.
O
Objectum sexuality, also known as objectophilia, refers to a sexual and/or romantic attraction to inanimate objects. This has been characterized both as a sexual orientation and as a paraphilia. People with this orientation may be attracted to concrete objects like cars or bridges, or to abstract concepts like words or ideas.
Omnisexual describes someone who experiences sexual attraction to people of all genders. Unlike pansexuality, which is often described as gender-blind or gender-neutral attraction, omnisexuality recognizes gender as something that can shape or color attraction. Some omnisexual people have noticeable preferences or find themselves more frequently drawn to certain genders, while others don’t.
Both omnisexuality and pansexuality fall under the multisexual umbrella, identities that involve attraction to multiple genders. The difference between them is subtle and personal. A person may identify with one label, both, or shift between them depending on how they understand their attraction. Some feel strongly that one term fits them better, while others use them interchangeably.
Orchidsexual is an asexual-spectrum microlabel used in some online communities to describe someone who experiences sexual arousal or sexual attraction but does not desire to act on it or participate in sexual activity themselves.
For orchidsexual people, the turn-on or attraction may be real, but the motivation to engage physically isn't there. They might enjoy erotic content, fantasies, or the idea of sex, while having little or no interest in being involved.
This label is not widely recognized in mainstream LGBTQIA+ or ace resources. But some individuals use it because it captures a specific disconnect between feeling arousal and wanting sexual participation.
Origins of the Term
Orchidesexual is believed to have been coined on the LGBTQIA Wiki in 2021. Its name was chosen because orchids are symbolically associated with love, sex, and fertility.
P
A pancurious person is curious about being attracted to people of any gender, and may be in a stage of exploration rather than certainty.
Pancurious vs. Bicurious
Some people question why the term pancurious exists when bicurious seems to cover the same idea. In practice, the two overlap significantly.
The main difference is scope.
- Bicurious usually means curiosity about attraction to more than one gender
- Pancurious suggests curiosity about attraction regardless of gender, or across all genders
But the line between them isn’t always clear. Modern definitions of bisexuality already include attraction to multiple (and potentially all) genders. And many people use bicurious as a general starting point.
Like other “curious” labels, both terms are about exploration. They signal openness without committing to a defined orientation like bisexual or pansexual.
Because of that, people often choose whichever term feels more natural to them. Or they skip labels entirely while they figure things out.
Origins of the Term
The term pancurious likely originated on Tumblr in the late 2010s. It combines "pan," which means attraction to people of all genders (from pansexual), with "curious," which implies questioning or exploring. It's a natural extension of "bicurious," which was coined much earlier.
The term appeared as awareness of nonbinary and gender diversity increased. Terms like pancurious exist not because older labels (like bisexual) are wrong, but because people are trying to describe very specific combinations of attraction, curiosity, and experience that traditional labels don’t fully capture.
Pansexual is a sexual orientation that refers to a person who can be physically attracted to a person regardless of their sex or gender. It may include people for whom gender plays no role in attraction, and/or those who are attracted to people of any gender.
This term is similar to omnisexual.. While some people use these terms interchangeably, those who identify as pansexual tend to be attracted to people regardless of gender, while omnisexual people recognize the gender of potential partners but their attraction does not depend on it.
The term pansexual should not be confused with pansexual kink or pansexual party; when used as an adjective for an activity or an event, the term "pansexual" refers not to the sexuality of the people involved, but that it is a party open to and embracing activity between any and all genders and sexualities.
Phallosexual is a sexual orientation meaning attraction to people with penises, regardless of gender expression or gender identity.
Related to Androsexual, but is focused on penises only, rather than masculinity or masculine nature, and includes femininity and all forms of gender expression and gender identity.
The term pivotsexual, also known as expecsexual or swivelsexual, refers to an orientation where someone’s sexual orientation shifts depending on the individuals they interact with. A pivotsexual person doesn’t adhere to a fixed orientation (e.g., gay, straight) but “pivots” fluidly based on the person they're around, regardless of gender.
Pivotsexuality is a form of mutosexuality, an umbrella term used to describe sexual or romantic orientations that change or fluctuate over time or in different contexts. It's considered a fluid identity, distinct from orientations that stay consistent over time. It acknowledges that attraction can be dynamic and relational, shaped by the unique traits and connection with each person.
A placiosexual person is someone who enjoys performing sexual acts on others but has no desire for sexual acts to be performed on them. The term is often used as a microlabel within the asexual and merosexual spectrums, though people who identify as placiosexual may have a wide range of experiences with attraction and sexuality.
A placiosexual person does not simply prefer being the giving partner. Some placiosexual people are indifferent to receiving sexual attention, while others may feel uncomfortable with or even repulsed by the idea of sexual acts being performed on them. This can occur for any reason, including dysphoria or other discomfort with their body.
Placiosexual is the opposite of accipiosexual.
Origins of the Term
The name placiosexual likely derives from the Latin word "placere," meaning "to please."
The term appears to have emerged in the mid-2010s. Google Search data shows it started being searched in 2015, and that interest around the term has grown since that time. Searches of the term on Reddit, Tumblr, and FetLife suggest the term started being used more commonly in the early 2020s. The first reference to the term on FetLife was in 2015.
Like many asexual-spectrum microlabels, placiosexual developed as part of a broader effort to create language for experiences that were not adequately described by existing sexuality terms.
Usually refers to a person who is physically and/or romantically attracted to multiple, but not all genders.
A pomosexual does not identify with, embrace, or fit into any of the conventional sexual orientations but rather rejects them.
Origins of the Term
From the book PoMoSexuals: Challenging Assumptions About Gender and Sexuality by Carole Queen and Lawrence Schimel, published in 1997.
The "pomo" part of the word is short for post modern, an art movement that rejected modernism and embraced eclecticism and combinations of things not previously brought together.
A pornosexual is a terms used to refer to a person who uses porn to replace sex in real life. Pornosexuals derive their sexual pleasure not from a “real” face-to-face sexual experience, but exclusively through a virtual reality. Pornosexuals may still feel they are connected to others platonically, but they prefer porn as their primary sexual relationship.
Origins of the Term
This term appears to have hit its stride online in 2017, but Google Trends data suggests people were searching this term as far back as 2010.
Traits
People become pornosexuals for many different reasons. Here are a few of the more common ones.
- Altered Headspace: For some pornosexuals, the high point isn't orgasm, but the "goonstate," a high or meditative state that comes from prolonged arousal and edging. Some pornosexuals stay in this state for hours at a time, and many chase it as part of the experience.
- The Community and Culture: Pornosexuality isn't just a solo experience. There is actually a whole community and culture around it online. This connects people to a sense of identity and ritual that can keep them coming back. It also makes this type of sex more social than many people imagine.
- It's Fast and Easy: Porn can be a quick way to fill a person's sexual needs without a partner. So, while many people only dabble in this fantasy world, others choose to use it as their primary source of sexual satisfaction.
Controversy
While some people question whether pornosexuality qualifies as a distinct sexual orientation, many individuals genuinely identify with the term. Pornosexuals may feel more arousal, comfort, or fulfillment from engaging with pornographic content than from in-person sex.
Some researchers and commentators have suggested that pornosexuality might be shaped by life experiences, including trauma. However, there is currently no scientific consensus on whether pornosexuality is innate, chosen, or responsive to external factors.
While the term pornosexual has been used as a derogatory term for people who watch a lot of pornography, it's important to note that pornosexuality, like any way of relating to sexuality, doesn’t inherently cause harm - and it doesn’t deserve shame or stigma.
Q
The term "queer' refers to a person who doesn't identify with traditional categories around gender identity and sexual orientation.
Queer may also be used as an umbrella term to include traditional and non-traditional categories of gender identity and sexual orientation, including but not limited to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and others. This is often how the term is used in academic settings, such as when referring to queer studies.
Usually refers to a person who is examining their sexual orientation.
Quoisexual describes a person who finds the concept of sexual attraction confusing or inapplicable to themselves. This orientation is considered to be on the asexual spectrum.
A quoisexual person may:
- Be unsure about whether they experience sexual attraction
- Have difficulty distinguishing sexual attraction from romantic, aesthetic, sensual, or other forms of attraction
- Feel that “sexual attraction” does not make sense as a concept
- Reject sexual orientation categories because they do not reflect how they experience attraction.
Origins of the Term
The term quoisexual emerged within Tumblr’s asexual and grey-asexual communities in 2014.
Its prefix comes from the French word "quoi," meaning “what.” It was developed from quoiromantic, a term coined by Tumblr user epochryphal, also known as Cor, as an alternative to WTFromantic or whatromantic. The new prefix was easier to pronounce and abbreviate, and captured the feeling of asking, “What even is romantic attraction?”
Members of the community soon extended the same idea to sexual attraction, producing quoisexual.
R
Reciprosexual is a sexual orientation on the asexual spectrum characterized by experiencing sexual attraction only after knowing that someone else is sexually attracted to you. In other words, reciprosexual individuals typically do not feel sexual attraction unless they are aware of mutual interest.
This orientation may be combined with other orientations to indicate what gender/s a reciprosexual is attracted to when the attraction does happen. For example someone identifying as homosexual and reciprosexual is exclusively attracted to people who are the same gender or sex as them and who are attracted to them first.
Reciprosexuality is a neosexuality. As such, it is less about what genders you're attracted to and more about in what way you derive attraction.
Someone who falls under the asexuality spectrum and lacks or has limited sexual desire or attraction due to some form of emotional exhaustion.
S
Sadosexual usually refers to someone whose sexual attraction centers on sadism, meaning they are aroused by giving consensual pain, humiliation, or intense sensations to a partner. In kink communities, some people use the term to describe a sexual identity.
Some people use the term more narrowly. They mean that they only feel strong sexual desire when sadistic dynamics are possible. For example, they may mainly feel attracted to partners who are submissive or masochistic, because those partners allow the sadistic dynamic they want.
Others use the term more loosely. In these cases, it simply refers to someone who strongly enjoys sadistic roles, such as a sadist, Dominant, or sadistic Top. In this context, it describes behavior or preferences rather than orientation.
The term is not universally accepted as a sexual orientation. Some people argue that sexual orientation describes who someone is attracted to, while sadism describes what they like to do in a scene.
Outside kink communities, the word can also appear in negative or critical contexts. It may be used to accuse someone of taking pleasure in hurting others, without implying consent. In BDSM spaces, however, the term usually refers to consensual sadistic desire and negotiated power exchange.
Sapiosexual (also known as sapiophile) usually refers to a person who is sexually attracted to a person's intelligence over their appearance or body. The attraction is based on the subject's capacity for, and exemplification of knowledge (e.g., academic intellect, facts, wisdom).
- Sapiosensual: Attraction to the mind expressed in sensual, intimate, or affectionate ways that do not necessarily involve sex. This is particularly valued within the asexual and gray-asexual communities, where the longing for closeness is profound but not inherently sexual.
- Noetisexual: A closely related identity, rooted in the Greek noesis (intellect or insight), highlighting attraction to the overall mental makeup of a person, including opinions, point of view, perception of reality, creativity, humor, and emotional intelligence.
Blended or Flexible Models: Others find their sapio attraction can flow across contexts: sometimes purely platonic or sensual, sometimes erotic, sometimes both, depending on the person and situation.
Sapio-oriented attraction can be found in monogamous, non-monogamous, and multi-partner relationships.
Origins of the Term
"Sapio" (from the Latin verb sapere) means "I have sense," "I taste," "I understand," or "I am wise," serving as the root for English words like "sapient" (wise) and "sapiosexual" (attracted to intelligence), and is famously part of Homo sapiens ("wise man"). It signifies wisdom, discernment, and knowledge, connecting the physical act of tasting with mental understanding.
"Noeti" "Noetic" (from Greek noētikos) relates to the mind, intellect, and thought, stemming from the Greek words noein (to think) and nous (mind). It signifies intellectual perception, inner wisdom, direct knowing, or intuitive understanding and is seen in a related sexuality known as noetisexual.
Some people may also perceive sapiosexuality as having innate class/socioeconomic prejudice, or as being ableist.
Sapphic is a term used to describe women or women-aligned people who are attracted to other women. This differs from lesbian in that it can include other types of sexual orientations besides homosexuality.
Saturnian is an orientation that may be used to refer to nonbinary xenogender people in a celestial gender system, a system in which genders are related to planets, stars, the void, and other celestial or space-centric imagery. Saturnians are attracted to non-binary people in this celestial space, but not monogender men or women. This term can be used as a sexuality on its own, or combined with other orientations.
Scrosexuality is a very niche term used to describe a sexual focus on the scrotum, particularly its appearance, sensation, or stimulation. Some people who use the term describe the scrotum rather than the penis as their primary erotic focus and associate scrosexuality with practices such as scrotum or ball stretching.
The term is extremely uncommon and does not appear to be a widely recognized sexual orientation. It developed and has been promoted via online communities, forums, and social media.
Sex favorable refers to an asexual person who enjoys and may even seek out the act of sex. Reasons for asexual people to enjoy sex are as varied as asexual people: they enjoy the sensation, they have high libidos that sex helps relieve, they enjoy the act of sexual service as part of a kink, etc.
Enjoying the act of sex does not indicate having sexual attraction toward any specific person. While being sex-favorable is most common among graysexual and demisexual identified ace people, even strictly asexual people can enjoy the act of sex without having sexual attraction.
Sex-favorable asexuals can still have gender and activity preferences, even if the sense of sexual attraction isn't present toward any specific person or gender.
Sexual fluidity, also known as Abrosexuality, means you have no particular set sexual orientation, attraction, or behavior and it can change over time or in certain situations. People who identify as sexually fluid might experience changes in how they sexually identify, who they are attracted to, what type of sexual partners they have or don’t ascribe to any labels. Sexual fluidity, in short, means your sexual orientation isn’t permanently fixed.
A skoliosexual refers to someone who is attracted to people who are nonbinary. Skoliosexuals may or may not be attracted to cisgender people as well. A skoliosexual may also be known as a ceterosexual.
Origins of the Term
Skoliosexual comes the Greek "skolio," which means "bent." As a result, some people find this term offensive, and prefer the term ceterosexual, which comes from the Latin word for "other."
Early definitions sometimes framed this term as “attraction to non-cisgender people,” which included binary trans men and women. Over time, many in queer and trans communities criticized that broader definition as transphobic, since it suggested that binary trans people are not “really” men or women. Today, the more accepted usage limits skoliosexuality/ceterosexuality to attraction specifically toward non-binary people, not all trans people.
Solosexual refers to a person who primarily or exclusively expresses their sexuality through solo sex, such as masturbation, self-bondage, or other forms of self-pleasure.
A solosexual may or may not be autosexual. Some are strongly attracted to themselves, while others are very attracted to other people but prefer to enjoy that attraction through solo play rather than partnered sex.
Solosexuals often enjoy the independence, control, and creativity of solo sex. They may use toys, fantasies, pornography, or roleplay to spice things up. Some also enjoy masturbating in the presence of others or alongside partners.
The term is sometimes confused with autosexual, which describes sexual attraction to oneself. While the two identities can overlap, solosexuality highlights sexual practice, whereas autosexuality refers to attraction.
A soulsexual is a sexual orientation that describes a person who is sexually attracted to another's whole being, or their soul.
This type of connection is:
- A profound form of attraction
- Beyond the superficial and physical appearances
- About being deeply drawn to another person's soul, essence, and the core of who they are.
Spaghetti straight is a term used to refer to someone (often but not always a woman) who considers themselves straight until they are "hot and wet." The term plays on metaphor. Spaghetti is straight until it gets wet. Once boiled (wet), it bends. So “straight” people are said to be “straight” only until a situation changes (usually sexual/physical context).
This term can be considered derogatory and even homophobic, as it leans in to the idea that people can "become" gay. However, it is also embraced by some people to refer to themselves, or even others in a playful way.
A similar term, "spaghetti girl," is used fairly often in the lesbian community to refer to straight women who don't know they have the potential to be into women until they've been with one.
Origins of the Term
The origins of this term are unclear, but Google Trends data suggests it began appearing as a search term around 2012/2013. The term may have emerged based on a popular meme from the 2012 movie "Pitch Perfect," in which two of the female characters have major chemistry and several "near miss" moments with homoerotic undertones. The movie even spawned a popular fan fiction, Bechloe, in which the two characters are explicitly romantic and sexual.
Straight usually describes someone who experiences romantic and/or sexual attraction exclusively or primarily to people of the opposite binary gender. This is also called "heterosexual."
"Heterosexual" may feel less personal or humanizing, which is why most people use “straight” in social spaces (like FetLife or on dating apps).
“Straight” is often used alongside other labels (e.g., straight and kinky, straight and poly, straight but curious) to reflect a more nuanced identity.
Non-binary people may also describe themselves as "straight" in some contexts, such as if they are in a relationship that appears to be heterosexual to outsiders. They may also use it to simplify their orientation for people who are unfamiliar with more nuanced terms. Some non-binary people spell the word "strayt" to describe the unique way that a non-binary person experiences or defines "straight" attraction.
A symbiosexual is who is drawn not to an individual, but to the energy, chemistry, and power dynamic shared between people in an existing relationship. This attraction is typically to a couple, but it can also apply to throuples or quads. The focus is on the synergistic whole, rather than the separate individuals within it . People who experience symbiosexual attraction often describe feeling energized, intrigued, or aroused by the cohesion, charisma, and emotional synergy of a partnership.
This attraction spans genders, sexual orientations, and relationship styles. It's also believed to be distinct from typical non-monogamy or polyamory because the bond between partners, not the individuals themselves, is the primary focus.
T
Toric is a term used primarily by nonbinary people who are attracted to men or male-aligned individuals. It is often used by those on the asexual or aromantic spectrum who feel that other identity labels (like "gay" or "straight") don’t accurately describe their experience. It is less commonly referred to as "quadrisian."
The term encompasses relationships and attractions which are neither same-gender nor opposite-gender, due to the involvement of a non-binary person.
Transamorous is a term used by some people to describe attraction to transgender people. It is most commonly used by cisgender men who are attracted to trans women, though it is not limited to any one gender or sexual orientation. This term better describes a pattern of attraction, and is typically not considered a sexual or romantic attraction.
People who use the term often intend it to signal that their attraction is respectful and not based solely on fetishizing someone’s trans status. However, the term is debated. Many transgender people dislike or reject it, feeling that it centers attraction to “transness” rather than recognizing trans people simply as men, women, or nonbinary people.
Because of this, some prefer alternative language such as trans-attracted. Others emphasize that respectful behavior matters more than the label used. Still others argue that a cis person can prefer dating trans women without fetishizing them, but that such preferences don’t need a special label.
A transbian is a transgender woman who is primarily attracted to women. The term is a portmanteau of trans and lesbian and is sometimes used as a self-identifier within LGBTQ+ communities. It is most commonly used as shorthand for “trans lesbian.”
Some transbians are attracted to both cisgender and transgender women, while others may primarily prefer T4T (trans-for-trans) relationships or transfeminine partners. Because of this, the exact meaning and usage of the term can vary somewhat between individuals and communities.
Some people use the term casually or affectionately within trans community spaces, while others prefer labels like “trans lesbian” or simply “lesbian.”
In general, most people agree that the term should be treated as a self-identifier rather than a universal label. Therefore, it is best not to use the term transbian for anyone who doesn't identify with it themselves.
Origins of the Term
The term transbian appears to have emerged organically within online transgender and lesbian communities in the late 2000s to early 2010s. Google Search data suggests it first started seeing significant online search volume in around 2010.
The term is a portmanteau of trans and lesbian, following a long internet tradition of combining identity labels into shorthand community terms.
Controversy
The term transbian is somewhat controversial within LGBTQ+ communities, especially among transgender lesbians themselves. While some people use the label proudly and affectionately, others dislike it or find it alienating.
One major point of disagreement is whether the term unintentionally “others” transgender lesbians by treating them as separate from lesbians more broadly. Critics sometimes compare it to writing “transwoman” as a single word instead of “trans woman,” arguing that combining the words can make trans women seem like a distinct category rather than simply women who are trans.
Others embrace transbian specifically because it reflects the intersection of their trans and lesbian identities. It may be used as a playful or affectionate community term, a visible expression of queer identity, or a signal of T4T attraction.
Trixic is a term typically used by nonbinary people who are attracted to women or female-aligned individuals. It’s especially common among those on the asexual or aromantic spectrum, or those who feel traditional labels like “straight” or “lesbian” don’t quite fit. Sometimes also known as "orbisian."
U
Unlabeled or "no label" is an umbrella term for those who do not want to identify under specific label(s) for their sexuality, gender, or other identity. They may fit the definition of a pre-existing identity or orientation but don't want to use that label for themselves. It can describe their sexual attraction, gender expression, gender identity, or anything else concerning their persona.
Usually refers to a person who is still exploring which sexual orientation they identify with.
Uranic is a sexual orientation in which a person is attracted to men, masculine non-binary, or neutral/non-binary individuals. Basically, uranic people are attracted to all genders except women and feminine-aligned individuals. The feminine equivalent of uranic is neptunic.
Uranian may also be referred to as a nofemsexual.
Many nonbinary people find mainstream terms like “gay” or “straight” don’t fully capture their experience. The term uranic allows people (especially nonbinary folks) to describe attraction patterns that include men and masculine-presenting nonbinary people without being tied to binary assumptions. It also helps people avoid being mislabeled or misgendered in ways that using some terms like "gay" or "lesbian" might do.
Origins of the Term
The term uranic has a long history with multiple origins and multiple meanings. "Uranian" comes from Aphrodite Urania, a form of the Greek goddess Aphrodite. Aphrodite was born from Uranus (the sky god), and was seen as representing pure, spiritual love.
In the late 1800s, "uranian" became a coded term used to describe same-sex love between men. It was mostly used by activists and writers.
Uranic emerged in around the 2010s as a label to refer to attraction to men and masculine-aligned enbies. It may have evolved separately, but with with similar roots to uranian.
V
Vegansexual describes a vegan who is sexually attracted to, prefers sexual intimacy with, or chooses to have sex only with other vegans. This is usually because they feel less attracted to or less compatible with those who eat animal products. Despite the "-sexual" ending on the word, vegansexual is usually used as more of a values-based sexual preference or boundary than an actual orientation.
The term "veganromantic" is also used, although much less frequently, to refer to people who only want romantic relationships with other vegans.
Origins of the Term
Vegansexual emerged from a 2006–2007 New Zealand study on cruelty-free consumption led by Annie Potts and Mandy White. Some vegan and vegetarian respondents said they preferred sexual intimacy or primary relationships only with other non-meat-eaters, often because animal consumption affected their sense of attraction and long-term compatibility. Potts initially described this as “vegan sexuality,” but media coverage in 2007 popularized the joined term "vegansexuality."
Vulvosexual is a sexual orientation meaning attraction to people with vulvas, regardless of gender expression or gender identity.
Related to Finsexual or Gynesexual and sometimes also referred to as Vaginasexual. This orientation is focused on genitals (vulvas / vaginas) only, rather than femininity or female nature, and includes masculinity and all forms of gender expression and gender identity.
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