There are many different types of sexual orientations, and at least some of them will probably surprise you. These days, there are a lot of people who identify as other things, and it’s more important than ever to be politically correct. If you don’t want to find yourself in a situation where you are the only ignorant person in the group, you must learn this information right away.
10 Little Known Types Of Sexuality
1. Pansexual
A person who identifies as pansexual is attracted towards people regardless of their sex or gender identity. These people often refer to themselves as being “gender blind,” saying that gender and sex do not come into play at all when it comes to who they are attracted to romantically and sexually. A lot of people confuse pansexuality with bisexuality, though they are not the same thing at all. Pansexual individuals are open to relationships with people who have no set identity as a man or a woman. Pansexuality can be considered a branch of bisexuality, though they are not precisely the same.
2. Demisexual
A demisexual is a person who only forms a sexual attraction to people who they develop a strong emotional bond with first. While a majority of people tend to build an instant sexual attraction to people initially, it is the other way around with demisexuals. Gender does not typically play a significant role in the development of sexual feelings for someone who identifies this way. The main deciding factor in whether or not one of these people has sexual feelings for someone is how deep their emotional connection is with them. Because sexual attraction is usually an afterthought for demisexuals, getting into a romantic relationship can be somewhat problematic for them.
3. Monosexual
Monosexuality refers to people who are only attracted to one gender or sex. A monosexual person may be attracted to either the same sex as them or the opposite sex. Some monosexuals identify as being heterosexual, while others identify as homosexual. This term is typically used as a way of clarifying the difference between bisexuality and pansexuality, which can be pretty confusing for some. The term “homosexual” has also been used to describe someone who only desires to have sex with just one partner. This is in direct contrast to polysexuality, which is when a person wishes to have sex with multiple partners.
4. Asexual
Someone who identifies as being asexual does not experience sexual attraction to anyone. While this is a difficult concept for some people to wrap their heads around, there are actually a significant number of people who identify as asexual. This is not a pledge of abstinence but rather an entire identity based on a lack of physical or sexual thoughts, attitudes, or feelings towards others. People who are asexual are not attracted to either men or women at all.
5. Gray-A Sexual
Grey asexuality is not a term that most people have heard of, but it is definitely legitimate. This particular type of sexuality can be challenging to understand because of its somewhat complex nature. This identity is made up of people who identify strongly with asexuality but do not feel as though “asexual” is the best term to describe them. There can be a number of reasons why people may feel as though they are grey asexual, including having sexual feelings infrequently or having sexual feelings but not wanting to act on them at all. This type of sexuality is basically used to describe people who identify close to asexuality but not all the way for one reason or another.
6. Autosexual
The term “Autosexual” was first used by sex researcher Bernard Apfelbaum, and it refers to anyone who has a significant amount of trouble responding to someone else sexually but can respond well to their touch. People who are autosexual are typically attracted to others sexually and think about others in this way, but they usually only react to their touch physically. It is unclear just how many autosexual people are out there, but it is a term that has only gained popularity recently.
7. Queer
The term “queer” can be used to describe someone that is attracted to more than just one gender. This is a multi-faceted word that has more than one meaning and use so that it can be a little bit tricky. Some people take offence to this term, while others fully identify with it.
8. Heteroflexible
“Heteroflexible” is a term that is typically used to describe people who are generally attracted to people of the opposite sex but are still open to having sexual and romantic relationships with people of the same sex as them. This term is part of what is known as fluid sexuality, which means that there is no one set gender a person is attracted all the time.
9. Polysexual
A polysexual person is attracted to multiple genders, much like a bisexual person, but with a few key differences. Those who identify as polysexual are typically made up of different types of sexuality, so it can be a little bit complex and confusing for those who have never even heard the term before. Polysexual individuals desire a sexual relationship with numerous partners. This is different from polyamory, which is when a person wishes to be romantically involved with more than one partner.
10. Skoliosexual
Skoliosexual is used to describe a person who has a potential sexual attraction to individuals who identify as non-binary. This term typically does not indicate an attraction to a specific type of genitalia but rather is a broader, more inclusive term.
There are many different types of sexualities, many of which are pretty complex and challenging to grasp at first fully. Over the years, new types of sexual identities/orientations have begun being used by certain groups of people. These sexualities are often misunderstood, so it’s essential to be clear on them if you ever find yourself in a situation with a person who identifies as one of them.
