The term LGBTQIA+ is an umbrella term for many sexual identities and genders. Although you might be very familiar with LGBTQIA, many are still now aware of the other numerous sexual identities that the ‘+’ encompasses. The lack of dialogue makes it difficult for people trying to label their sexualities and can lead to many confusions and doubts.
So, here’s a list of 5 lesser known but equally relevant queer identities.
- Autosexual
People who are autosexual are attracted to themselves and may prefer masturbation rather than sex with a partner. They are sexually aroused by themselves rather than by others.
No, we know what you’re thinking, this is not narcissism or self-obsession.
While narcissism is an excessive need for attention and a lack of empathy, autosexuality derives deep pleasure from personal and private sexual experiences and not from other people’s attention.
Autosexuality can coincide with autoromanticism but may be exclusive of each other as well. Autoromantic people develop romantic personal relationships with themselves whereas autosexuals develop intense sexual attraction to themselves.
Read More: Reshma Anil Kumar: Expanding the non-binary horizon of India
2.Demisexual
Demisexuals are people who only feel sexual attraction to those with whom they developed strong personal connection. They tend to feel this sexual attraction and the desire to engage in sexual activities more rarely when compared to others. A demisexual won’t feel sexual attraction to someone until they’ve had the chance to form a deep emotional bond with them. They might decide to have sex with someone they have a sexual attraction to, but the urge is often weaker. Sometimes, despite the emotional connection, it may never develop.
In other words, although an emotional connection is not a need for someone to even consider engaging in sexual behavior, it is important.
Read More: The Seven LGBTQIA+ Wonders of the World
3.Spectrasexual
People who experience romantic or physical attraction/emotional connection with others of multiple sexes, genders, and gender identities but not necessarily all of them (or any of them), are said to be Spectrasexuals. You might confuse this with pansexual. But no, they’re not the same.
Pansexual people are those who experience sexual, romantic and/or emotional attraction to any person regardless of their gender, sex or sexual orientation. On the other hand, people who identify as spectrasexual may still have certain preferences.
Read More: The Seven LGBTQIA+ Wonders of the World
4.Pomosexual
Pomosexuality defines people who prefer not to label their sexual orientation by conventional terms such as homosexual, heterosexual, and bisexual. They reject or don’t fit any of the labels that denote a certain type of attraction. This can be because they find such labels inadequate when it comes to defining their own experiences and sexual attractions. Some pomosexual people may be queer or questioning while others may not.
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5.Abrosexual
People whose sexuality is changing or fluid are referred to as abrosexuals. Their sexual attraction shifts over time- they might identify as gay one day, asexual the next or polysexual later. An abrosexual person’s sexuality may change more frequently while compared to others, over the course of hours, days, months, or years. This change shouldn’t be considered as ‘’a phase’’ or blamed on their ‘’indecisiveness’’, rather it means that their actual sexual experiences change over time.
