Demisexuality is a sexual orientation that you can encounter if you use a number of different dating apps. Don’t worry if you’re unfamiliar with the phrase or its precise meaning.
According to Cathy Renna, director of communications for the National LGBTQ Task Force, “a person who experiences sexual feelings and attraction only after developing a close emotional relationship with another person or persons” is a demisexual.
But hold for a sec… does this also imply asexual? Is this a queer or trans identity? What else is necessary to comprehend demisexuality? Find the solutions to your problems down below.
Do demisexuals also identify as asexuals?
Demisexuals are on the spectrum of asexuality; the term “ace” is occasionally used to refer to asexuals, as stated by the PFLAG.
According to Shoshana Goldberg, public education and research director at the Human Rights Campaign, “Think of asexual as the umbrella term for ‘people who experience a complete or partial lack of sexual attraction to others,’ and demisexual is within this umbrella term and falls into the category of those who experience ‘partial lack of sexual attraction.'”
A recent Gallup poll found that just 1%-2% of respondents identified as gay, pansexual, or asexual.
Is there such a thing as a queer demisexual?
The opposite is true. It’s possible for someone to be straight and demisexual.
The sex, gender, or gender identity of the person experiencing it makes no difference. Instead, the emotional bond between two people, as Goldberg puts it, defines love. Someone could be both gay and demisexual, experiencing sexual attraction to those of the same gender only after developing a strong emotional bond with them (hence, the term “demisexual”). Similarly, someone could be straight and demisexual, experiencing sexual attraction to those of only one gender other than their own, but again, only after forming a strong emotional bond with them.
Because of its discord with conventional sexual norms, it is often grouped along with LGBTQ identities.
Defining demiromantic: what does it mean?
A demisexual person will experience demiromantic attraction.
According to Goldberg, “romantic orientations focus on when and to whom a person experiences a romantic attraction, defined as the desire to have a romantic/emotionally intimate relationship.”
To add insult to injury, “demiromantic people can be of any gender identity or sexual orientation,” as Renna puts it. That someone, for instance, maybe both pansexual and demiromantic is clear. For example, as Goldberg points out, “This may include someone who experiences sexual attraction without an emotional connection, but only wants to progress to a romantic relationship after a close bond.”
More on LGBTQ identities
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What is Asexual Term: Understanding the Meaning, Identity, and Experience!