From pomosexual to heteroflexible, here's a comprehensive list of sexualities to be aware of

We are becoming more aware of sex, gender, and sexuality, often known as sexual orientation. We have a better understanding of sexual orientation now that language has grown and people have continued to be open about themselves—and that information will only grow. Regardless, inclusive language around sexuality is important, especially when it comes to providing safe spaces for LGBTQIA+ people.

This list is intended to assist explain and identifying some often used terminology to represent sexual orientation, whether you're exploring your sexuality, learning about others, or seeking to educate yourself and be an ally. You are not alone, regardless of how you identify. If you need more information, GLAAD provides a Media Reference Guide with a full list of vocabulary.

What is sexuality?

It's important to note that sexuality is not the same as sex or gender identity (for gender-related terms, head right this way). Although this is an oversimplification, sexuality is frequently referred to as "who you love" rather than "who you are" (i.e., gender identity). The phrase "sexual orientation" refers to a person's attraction—or lack thereof—and to whom they are attracted. Romantic and emotional sentiments can occasionally be mixed together with sexual feelings, but romantic orientations focus on a person's romantic attraction. Sexual orientation (who you want to have a sexual connection with) and romantic orientation (who you want to fall in love with) can sometimes be incompatible.

Because sexual orientation can vary and evolve over time, one or more of these labels may feel accurate at one point in a person's life and then feel less so at another. It's also worth noting that sexual orientation is based on an individual's understanding of themselves rather than society's, and some people have no defined sexuality at all. It's important not to speculate or ask about a person's orientation, and a smart best practice is to wait for someone to offer that information if they choose.

How many sexualities are there?

There isn't a set number of sexualities, thus the list below may not reflect how someone identifies—or if they define their orientation differently than the widely recognized definition. There may be more to add in the future because this number is growing (there are already over 100 terms to characterize sexuality). It's crucial to note that these aren't *new* sexual orientations; rather, they're ones that haven't been given names yet. We can get closer to inclusive representation by using clear, detailed definitions.

What are the various forms of sexuality?

Abrosexual

An abrosexual is a person who has a fluid sexuality, meaning their sexuality and preferences may vary over time. Different levels of sexual (and romantic) feelings over time are common—and some people label their sexuality as "fluid"—but for an abrosexual person, these periods of shift can happen quickly and with varying intensities. It can also take the form of changing one's sexual orientation.

According to Katherin Winnick, a sex counselor at LetsTalkSex.net, an abrosexual person's orientation has no limits or norms, although it frequently swings between two to three sexualities in regular or random cycles.

Allosexual

Allosexuality simply refers to a person who has any form of sexual desire, therefore it includes all of the sexualities on this list that aren't classified as asexual. Since it is considered the "typical" sexuality, the asexual group has raised attention to the privilege that comes with this status.

Androsexual

The most frequent description of androsexuality, according to Dr. Jay Irwin, associate professor of sociology at the University of Nebraska in Omaha, is "a person who is attracted to others on the masculine side of the gender spectrum." "Sometimes this is construed as persons who are attracted to cisgender males (i.e., people who were born male and also identify as a man), although that binary-based definition is often too restricted for how people who identify as androsexual understand their sexuality."

So, regardless of one's sex assigned at birth, an androsexual person may be attracted to features of masculinity such as physical appearance, conduct, smell, and so on. Someone who is attracted to nonbinary people is a less-common definition of androsexuality.

Asexual

Asexual is a general term that refers to someone who does not experience sexual attraction to other people. Asexual people may desire friendships, emotional intimacy, and maybe love connections, despite a false stereotype to the contrary. Note that asexual does not imply celibacy, which is the decision not to have sex. "You may seek close interactions with individuals, even romantic ones, but touching each other's genitals is not really exciting," sexologist Timaree Leigh, PhD, told Cosmo.

Autosexual

An autosexual person has a sexual attraction to themselves (which is sometimes mistaken for narcissism, which is characterized by a lack of empathy and a need for adoration—and is not a sexuality). "Autosexuals are capable of having relationships with others, but they prefer sex with themselves," Megwyn White, Satisfyer's director of education, told Cosmo.

"Watching yourself have sex in the mirror or becoming aroused by posing in exotic apparel isn't always an indication of autoeroticism," Katherine Hertlein, MD, expert advisor at sex therapy app Blueheart, told Cosmo. "However, if the idea of having sex with yourself turns you on, or if you have to think about yourself to reach climax, you're undoubtedly an autosexual."

Bisexual

A bisexual person has feelings for both men and women. Bisexuality can be used interchangeably with pansexuality (see below), but it can also refer to attraction to both your own gender and other genders. It also doesn't have to be a balanced attraction to specific genders ("bi" persons don't always date in the binary, i.e. solely men and women).

The term "bisexual" is actually "the blanket designation for anyone who is pansexual, demisexual, sapiosexual, trysexual, homoflexible, heteroflexible, curious, questioning, undecided, or fluid," according to Daniel Saynt, founder of the New Society for Wellness (NSFW) members-only sex club in New York, NY. It makes up the greatest fraction of the LGBTQIA+ population, in part due to its broad definition.

Ceterosexual

Someone who is attracted to transgender, non-binary, and (sometimes) non-cisgender people. It was previously known as "skoliosexual," but because "skoliosexual" in Latin means "crooked," it is no longer regarded an appropriate name and should not be used. The term is divisive, as it can be interpreted as fetishizing. According to Marla Renee Stewart, a Lovers expert, someone who is ceterosexual might also be trans or non-binary.

Closeted

This isn't a sign of a specific sexuality, but rather that a person isn't "out" (that is, publicly acknowledging) some or all aspects of their orientation. This could be for a variety of reasons, including personal preference and safety.

Cupiosexual

A person who desires a sexual relationship with a person or individuals but feels little to no attraction to them falls under the category of asexuality. They may love the sensation of sex without being attracted to anyone; the word is gaining popularity. According to Tanya M. Bass, PhD, a sexologist, "An asexual person simply does not sense sexual attraction, but may have sex for a variety of reasons, including the physical pleasure of sex or the pleasure of their partner(s)."

Demisexual

Demisexuality is technically classified as asexuality, but it refers to "those who...only form a sexual attraction to a person after forming a close emotional bond with them," according to Kayla Kaszyca, demisexual campaigner and cohost of the Sounds Fake but Okay podcast. As a result, they can be sexually attractive in certain situations. Michaela Kennedy-Cuomo came out as demisexual in 2021, as you may recall. A demisexual person's perspective on attraction is explored in this New York Times Modern Love essay.

Gay/Lesbian

Someone who is only attracted to people of their own gender in terms of physical, romantic, and/or emotional attraction. A lesbian is a woman who identifies as a woman and is attracted to other women; some persons prefer to refer to themselves as lesbians. According to GLAAD, the terms "homosexual" and "homosexuals" are obsolete, pejorative, and insulting.

Greysexual/Graysexual/Grey-Ace/Gray-Ace

A graysexual individual, who is also on the asexuality spectrum, may occasionally experience sexual attraction and sensations, although this is the exception rather than the rule. They may be attracted a few times or more in their lives, although at a lower rate than the average. According to Ashley Harris, a dating and relationship consultant at BeyondAges.com, it's good to think of a graysexual person as asexual "during the vast majority of their lives but having irregular times where they feel sexual attraction." "With the exception of these rare cases, they are nearly identical to asexual people."

Gynesexual

Regardless of the sex assigned at birth, a gynesexual person is drawn to women, females, and/or femininity. (It's the polar opposite of androsexuality, which is an attraction to masculinity or "maleness" regardless of birth sex.) It's also not the same as saying you're gay or lesbian.)

Homoflexible vs. Heteroflexible

A heteroflexible person is someone who is predominantly attracted to people of the opposite gender but is open (flexible) to other sexual encounters. "In general, it means that the person considers themselves heterosexual despite the fact that they are willing to indulge in sexual activities with someone of the same sex or gender," sex therapist Dr. Christopher Ryan Jones told Cosmo. Because the circumstances surrounding 'flexibility' varies widely from one individual to another, it signifies different things to different people."

Someone who is homoflexible, on the other hand, considers themselves mostly attracted to persons of their own gender but may be attracted to sexual activities with people of different genders on occasion.

Heterosexual/Straight

A heterosexual person is attracted to people of the opposite gender physically, romantically, and/or emotionally.

The term "multisexuality" encompasses bisexuality, omnisexuality (below), pansexuality, and various definitions of queer (below).

Omnisexual

A person who is omnisexual can be romantically and/or sexually attracted to anyone, regardless of gender (someone who experiences only romantic feelings may be referred to as omniromantic). They can have different types of attraction to different genders, and they aren't "blind" to gender differences. "I'm attracted sexually to anyone, and when I'm with someone, their gender counts," Courtney D'Allaird, associate director of the University of Albany's Gender and Sexuality Resource Center, told Cosmo. I notice it, but [gender] isn't why I'm attracted to them—and it's not a consideration when I am.'

Pansexual

I'm drawn to folks of both genders. A pansexual person, according to sex therapist Kelly Wise, is "someone who is attracted to people regardless of gender or biological sex." That is unimportant. Pansexuality allows for the concept of gender fluidity." A pansexual's attraction is based on personality, vibes, energy, values, and/or other characteristics. Pansexuality has been acknowledged by celebrities such as Sam Smith, Janelle Monáe, and Miley Cyrus.

Polysexual

Someone who is attracted to a variety of genders and identities (although not necessarily all of them); it is also similar to, but not the same as, polyamory, which is a relationship type in which several consensual romantic and/or sexual relationships are pursued.

When it comes to their attraction to others, a polysexual individual may disregard the gender binary. "Usually, when we talk about sexuality, it's very much entrenched in binaries—so, man/woman or nonbinary persons," Cameron Glover, a certified sex educator and business coach, told Cosmo. But I believe there is room for a discussion about sexuality that goes beyond that."

According to Glover, polysexuality can take many forms, including being attracted to all genders except cisgender men or being drawn to masculine-presenting people regardless of gender.

Pomosexual

Pomosexuals' sexuality does not fit into any one category, and/or they reject any labels associated with their orientation. It can refer to both a sexuality and an umbrella phrase; a pomosexual person may be attracted to someone, but they don't want to say how, how frequently, or to whom.

Queer

Queer can refer to anyone who is part of the LGBTQIA+ community, but it can also refer to someone who identifies as gay. It was once a disparaging phrase, but it's now being reclaimed as a positive expression of one's sexual orientation, gender identity, or LGBTQIA+ community inclusion.

Questioning

A person who is questioning their sexuality may not yet identify with a certain orientation, as the name implies. Some people don't use the terms "curious" or "bi-curious" (someone exploring whether they're bisexual) since they are associated with the false assumption that queer sexual orientation is only a phase. The "Q" in LGBTQIA+ stands for those who are exploring and discovering their sexual orientation, and they are free to do so for as long as they need.