As new terms and identities continue to emerge within the landscape of human sexuality, one that may not be as widely recognized is aegosexuality. Part of the asexual spectrum, aegosexuality refers to people who experience sexual arousal and desire but feel no interest in engaging in sexual activity with others.

This condition highlights a unique disconnect where individuals can feel sexual attraction yet lack the desire to participate in sexual acts themselves.

Aegosexuality was initially defined as "autochorissexuality" in 2012 by Dr. Anthony Bogaert, a psychologist specializing in human sexuality. The term was later changed to aegosexuality in 2014 by a Tumblr user, Sugar-and-Spite.

These individuals may experience sexual fantasies or arousal involving others or fictional characters, but never imagine themselves taking part in these activities.

The history of aegosexuality

The concept of aegosexuality first appeared under the label of "autochorissexuality," derived from the word "autochoris," meaning "sexuality without identity." This was a time when asexuality was often misunderstood and wrongly categorized as a psychological disorder.

Aegosexuality's inclusion under the asexual umbrella initially led to its classification as a paraphilia, a term referring to intense sexual attraction to unusual objects or behaviors. Over time, this notion has been challenged and reframed, with advocates working to shift perceptions.

Despite these challenges, the term aegosexuality continued to evolve. The stigma surrounding this identity still persists today, especially given its prior classification as a disorder. However, over the years, the recognition of different sexual orientations has grown, encouraging a better understanding of fluidity in human sexuality.

Aegosexuality versus voyeurism

While some may confuse aegosexuality with voyeurism, the two are distinct. Voyeurism involves gaining sexual pleasure from watching others, often in secret, and is typically considered a kink or fetish.

Aegosexuality, on the other hand, represents a person's unique sexual identity. As explained by Dr. Elyssa Helfer, a clinical sexologist, aegosexuality does not involve the desire to engage in sexual activity with others, but rather the experience of arousal and fantasies about others without the wish to be part of those experiences.

The distinction between these two concepts is vital for reducing misunderstandings about the identity and providing a clearer understanding of how people experience sexual attraction.

Aegosexuality remains a niche identity within the larger spectrum of asexuality. With limited resources and ongoing stigma, it is crucial for society to acknowledge the variety of sexual identities and the fluidity of sexual experiences.

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More people are coming out as demisexual, and this is what the identity means.

As previously reported, singer Tulisa Contostavlos sparked a national conversation after opening up about her own identity while appearing on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! in 2024.

The 37-year-old former X Factor judge told her campmates in the Australian jungle that she identifies as demisexual and has been celibate for more than three years.

She explained that she only feels sexual attraction when she forms a deep emotional connection with someone. “For me, it’s all about the connection and the emotions that I feel with someone and then wanting to express them in that way,” she shared, according to BBC News.

Describing herself as “not an overly sexualised person,” she added, “I need actual depth… I’m a slow, slow burner.”

What 'demisexual' means as singer Tulisa admitted to identifying with the sexuality. Credit: Tom Werner / Getty

The revelation has struck a chord with many viewers, prompting increased interest in what it actually means to be demisexual.

What Is Demisexuality?

Demisexuality is a sexual orientation describing people who only experience sexual attraction after forming a close emotional bond with someone.

That connection is often rooted in personality and trust rather than initial physical factors like appearance, scent, or voice.

Unlike immediate physical attraction, which is common in other orientations, demisexuals normally don’t feel drawn to strangers or casual encounters.

The term sits on the asexual spectrum and highlights how varied human attraction can be.

Tulisa's Confession: Dating Isn't Easy

The 'Young' musician, who first shot to fame as part of N-Dubz in the 2000s, also revealed that, despite having a profile on the exclusive celebrity dating app Raya, she actively avoids dating itself.

“Genuinely makes me feel physically sick,” she admitted.

Tulisa came out as demisexual. Karwai Tang / WireImage / Getty Images.

Beyond demisexuality: new microlabels gaining traction

Tulisa’s revelation comes at a time when an increasing number of people are finding clarity and comfort in more specific terms that describe their unique experiences of attraction.

One such term gaining ground is “almondsexual.”

Coined in November 2023 by a Tumblr user known as genderstarbucks, almondsexuality refers to individuals primarily attracted to male-aligned and androgynous-aligned genders, with a lesser attraction to female-aligned genders.

This label is part of a group of “microlabels” under the multisexual umbrella, which includes bisexuality, pansexuality, and omnisexuality.

These microlabels allow people to define their attraction more precisely, often helping them feel more seen and understood.

Other related terms include “berrisual” (attraction to feminine and androgynous genders) and “almondromantic,” which is the romantic counterpart to almondsexuality.

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While we all like the idea that once you enter a relationship with someone, you'll only have feelings for them and no one else for the rest of your life, this isn't really the case. The truth is, you can never tell what's going to happen and it's more than likely that at some point in your relationship, you will get the hots for someone else. It might a co-worker, someone behind the bar or even your best friend's new spouse. Whoever they are, you can rest easy knowing that you're not alone. Yes, unsurprisingly, it turns out that wandering eyes are a fairly common issue in relationships. In new research conducted by Indiana University, 70 percent of women in relationships admit to having crushes on other men. As one participant in the study put it:“[I] tried not to show anything outwardly, but did think about it a bit when masturbating.” In the study, women who had been in a relationship for at least three years were asked to answer open-ended questions about their crush. The research showed that it's normal to have feelings for other people says study author Margo Mullinax, Ph.D., who is now a postdoctoral fellow at Columbia University. “Crushes can continue throughout your lifespan,” says Mullinax. “You don’t just stop having them because you’re in a relationship. It’s natural, when you’re around someone a lot, to develop feelings.” Although this phenomenon is yet to be studied in men, I think we can honestly say that the same more than likely goes for guys. Of the women who took part in the study, many of them described their crushes as casual and of a purely physical nature: “Oh my, he was beautiful,” says one respondent. “It’s just a physical reaction when I’m near him,” said another. Others in the study said that they felt an emotional connection and chemistry with their crush with a quarter of them saying that they were on a co-worker. Exes and close friends were also common culprits. However, while it may be a blow to hear that your wife or girlfriend may be thinking about other men, it doesn't mean that they are going to cheat. Of the women in the study, only five percent ever admitted to infidelity. In fact, many of the women said that the crushes improved their relationship. “They might feel more aroused throughout the day, then go home and transfer that desire to their partner,” Mullinax says. According to Mullinax, the more a woman has sexual fantasies, the greater her sexual desires. However, on a non-physical level, other respondents in the study said that thinking about being with another man reminded them of why they love their partner. “I usually snap out of it and realize I wouldn’t really want to be with or see that person . . . and how much I appreciate my husband and all of his attributes and the healthy balanced relationship we have,” said one woman. In all honesty, if you thought that your partner would never experience some sort of attraction to someone else, you are not living in the real world. It's natural for both you to feel drawn to someone else every now and then, but just remember what made you love your spouse in the first place and trust them to do the same.

Human sexuality has never been one-size-fits-all. As our understanding of identity continues to evolve, so too does the language we use to describe who we are and who we’re drawn to.

One term that’s been gaining attention is 'androsexual' — and for many, it offers clarity where other labels fall short.

What Does ‘Androsexual’ Actually Mean?

When it comes to attraction, people experience it in countless ways.

Language can be a powerful tool in helping individuals articulate those feelings.

In the past, even widely recognized terms like homosexual or non-binary didn’t exist.

That doesn’t mean people who we might now consider gay or non-binary weren’t around — they simply used different language and frameworks to understand themselves.

The term 'androsexual' draws from the Greek prefix 'andro-,' which relates to masculinity.

And that’s exactly what it refers to: attraction to masculinity — regardless of who is expressing it.

In simple terms, being androsexual means you are attracted to masculinity, but not necessarily to men.

Attraction To Masculinity vs. Attraction To Men

At first glance, some might wonder: why not just say you’re attracted to men?

The answer lies in nuance.

Someone who identifies as androsexual isn’t exclusively drawn to men as a gender category.

Instead, they’re attracted to masculine traits or presentation — whoever embodies them.

For example: A lesbian or bisexual woman may feel especially attracted to women who present in a more masculine way.

A pansexual person might be attracted to people of all gender identities, but find themselves gravitating toward those who appear more masculine — whether they’re women, men, or non-binary individuals.

Even a straight man could identify with the term if he’s attracted to masculine-presenting women, but not to men.

The label provides a way to separate attraction to masculinity from attraction to men specifically. For many, that distinction feels more accurate and affirming.

How People Who Identify As Androsexual Describe Themselves

For some individuals, traditional labels don’t quite fit. That’s where 'androsexual' can offer clarity.

One person who identifies with the term androsexual wrote on Reddit: "I’m agender and AFAB [assigned female at birth] so it feels weird to say I’m heterosexual so there aren’t really any better words to describe my sexual identity (I’m attracted to cis/trans men/male presenting enbys [non-binary people])."

Another agreed: "I also am attracted to men and masculine enbies and I use it because it’s what describes my attraction the best, even if my attraction doesn’t perfectly fit any of the definition."

For these individuals, the term doesn’t just describe who they’re attracted to — it helps resolve the discomfort or confusion that can come with using labels that don’t fully align with their gender identity.

Why The Term Is Especially Useful For Non-Binary And Gender-Fluid People

The concept of androsexuality can be particularly helpful for people who identify as non-binary or gender-fluid.

When your own sense of gender can shift, traditional sexuality labels may feel limiting or inaccurate. After all, how do you define yourself as gay or straight if your gender identity isn’t fixed?

If some days you feel like a man, some days a woman, and some days neither, sexuality categories built on rigid gender binaries can feel complicated.

For some, focusing on attraction to qualities — like masculinity or femininity — rather than strictly to men or women provides a clearer framework.

Of course, being non-binary or gender-fluid doesn’t prevent someone from identifying as straight or gay. Everyone’s relationship with their identity is deeply personal. There’s no single 'correct' way to label yourself.

But for those who find masculinity attractive without necessarily being attracted to men, 'androsexual' can feel like the right fit.

The Power Of Having The Right Word

At its core, the rise of terms like androsexual reflects something simple: people want language that accurately captures their lived experience.

The word offers specificity. It separates gender from gender expression. It gives individuals a way to say, 'this is what I’m drawn to,' without feeling boxed into a category that doesn’t fully resonate.

And if a word gives someone the means to describe what they feel, that’s a good thing.

Featured image credit: Cultura Creative/Getty

The term "finsexual" is becoming more prominent, but what exactly does it mean?

Well, it's a sexual orientation that’s quietly been part of internet subcultures for more than a decade but is now capturing broader attention.

You may have never heard of it, but it’s gaining traction in LGBTQ+ spaces and beyond, challenging long-held ideas of what sexual orientation really means.

Beyond gay or straight: attraction defined by presentation, not gender

While terms like gay, straight, and bisexual have long been the mainstream go-tos for defining attraction, the internet has birthed a more nuanced term - one that reflects how people actually feel, not just how society expects them to.

Finsexual, short for “feminine in nature,” describes an exclusive attraction to individuals who present themselves in a feminine way.

That includes women, feminine-aligned nonbinary people, and even feminine men—regardless of their sex assigned at birth.

As one Reddit user put it directly: "Finsexual is the exclusive attraction to those who are feminine in nature.

"This means finsexual people are attracted to women, feminine-aligned non-binary people, and potentially feminine men. It is the attraction to femininity."

This framing shifts the focus from gender identity or anatomy to the way someone presents themselves - how feminine they appear or express.

Finsexual means to be attracted to feminine-presenting people. Credit: David Silverman / Getty

People clarify finsexual meaning

As with many newly popularized identity labels, finsexual has met both support and confusion. Some are embracing the clarity it brings, while others are scratching their heads.

One Reddit user admitted the term gave them a long-awaited sense of accuracy: "I thought I had it with gynosexual, but it’s too broad. This describes me better."

For some users, the label allows for the inclusion of personal preferences while maintaining a consistent core of attraction centered on femininity.

As one person clarified in response: "I’m attracted to FIN individuals but have a preference for those with female genitalia… I am still attracted to people who are FIN and have male genitalia, just stating this in case anyone missed the keyword ‘preference.'"

Finsexual is a sexual preference. Credit: Vladimir Vladimirov / Getty

Finsexual isn’t alone—there’s a whole family of terms

The finsexual label often overlaps with gynesexual - another term for attraction to femininity - but many argue finsexual is more specific.

It’s not just about liking women or feminine people broadly - it’s about being drawn exclusively to feminine presentation, regardless of gender.

And like many emerging orientations, variations of finsexual are already out there. These include:

1. Finromantic – romantic (rather than sexual) attraction to feminine-presenting individuals
2. Finflexible – primarily attracted to feminine presentation, but open to other types occasionally
3. Minsexual – the conceptual opposite of finsexual, describing attraction to masculine presentation

The Finsexual flag. Credit: Reddit

The finsexual flag: pink palettes and online pride

Naturally, a flag has emerged - usually adorned with pink tones that visually echo femininity.

While different creators have their own interpretations, the aesthetic leans heavily into soft, feminine hues that reinforce the identity’s core focus.

The term has found particular resonance within nonbinary communities, though anyone who feels aligned with its definition is encouraged to use it.

Featured image credit: David Silverman / Getty