The term “demi” means two or more. Demisexuality describes someone who experiences romantic feelings only for members of their own gender. They are attracted to both men and women, but not necessarily at the same time. A person with demisexuality may have no desire to engage in any kind of sexual activity with anyone else, including partners of different genders. However they do experience strong emotional attractions towards members of their own gender (or other non-binary genders).
Demisexuality is a type of bisexuality. People who identify as bi-curious are attracted to both sexes, but not necessarily at the same time. For example, some people are exclusively gay while others enjoy having casual relationships with other guys and girls. Some people prefer heterosexual relationships while others like to explore their sexuality with multiple partners.
There are many other terms used to describe similar situations.
People who identify as pansexual feel no particular sexual preference. They don’t care what gender another person is attracted to, nor do they care if it’s the same gender or opposite gender. Pansexuals often choose not to label themselves because there isn’t a single definition for the word “pan”. Some pansexuals will say that they’re just happy being able to love everyone regardless of their sexual preferences.
Asexual people are individuals who experience little or no sexual attraction to others. They may experience other types of romantic attractions, but they don’t feel a need to act on these attractions with another person. In the past, there have been studies showing that up to 1/3 of all males experience some form of asexuality before puberty. Most of these boys end up being attracted to women in the future because society conditions men to be masculine and heterosexual.
The types of attraction you experience aren’t as simple as just being attracted to “men” or “women”. There are several different types of attractions that may be part of your personality.
People who are androsexual feel sexually attracted to people with a particular set of genitalia. That is to say, people who are androsexual feel sexually attracted to men. This term is often confused with being gay. Being gay means that a person is attracted to individuals of the same gender.
People who are hetero-romantic feel romantically attracted to people of the opposite gender. These people may also be androsexual or gynesexual, but that isn’t necessarily true for everyone. There are many people who feel romantic attractions to both males and females.
People who are gynesexual feel sexually attracted to people with a particular set of genitalia. That is to say, people who are gynesexual feel sexually attracted to women. This term is often confused with being lesbian. Being lesbian means that a person is attracted to individuals of the same gender.
Pansexuals, People Who Are Bisexual?
Many people are under the impression that pansexuals are just another word for bisexuals. Bisexuals are attracted to both males and females, while pansexuals are attracted to the same degree to members of all gender identities. Many pansexuals feel that the term “bisexual” is inadequate to explain their complex set of attractions.
People Who Are Demisexual, Asexual?
Many people are under the impression that demisexuals are a special type of asexual. The truth is, demisexuals are simply a special type or orientation of people who only experience sexual attraction after forming an emotional bond with someone. Many demisexuals also identify as asexual. This is because many of them feel they do not have enough interest in having a sexual relationship with anyone.
Sources & references used in this article:
Deconstructing sexual orientation: Understanding the phenomena of sexual orientation by TS Stein – Journal of Homosexuality, 1997 – Taylor & Francis
Defining and measuring sexual orientation: A review by RL Sell – Archives of sexual behavior, 1997 – Springer
Conceptualization of sexual orientation identity among sexual minorities: Patterns across sexual and gender identity by MP Galupo, KS Davis, AL Grynkiewicz… – Journal of …, 2014 – Taylor & Francis
Defining and measuring sexual orientation for research by RL Sell – The health of sexual minorities, 2007 – Springer
