Human Sexuality Comes in at Least 18 Exciting Flavors!

Straight. Gay. Lesbian. Bisexual. Here are Some Nuanced Sexuality Alternatives.

Sexuality. Growing up, most of us were told that there are two distinct sexes and two distinct sexual orientations, one of which is sinful. We were either a man or a woman, heterosexual or homosexual. There were no other options. Those born Intersex were quickly “corrected” and deemed whichever of the two sexes was easiest for the surgeon to create.

Either subtly or overtly, we were told that being straight is better than being gay, and that women are weaker and not quite as intelligent as men. Instead, women are soft, nurturing, less interested in sex and their own pleasure, thus naturally monogamous. Perfect for a life of repeated pregnancies and endless child-rearing. Men are strong, powerful, knowledgeable leaders who protect women and the many children they sire. Their virility is proof of their masculinity, so it’s unrealistic to expect them to be monogamous.

Much to the relief of many, once we grew up, we learned that there is far more to the story of sex, love, and desire. We came to understand that sexuality is a continuum. Many find comfort in conventional norms and keep any unorthodox thoughts or urges to themselves. Others feel constrained, claustrophobic, inauthentic, unnatural, and bullied by a culture that is often hostile toward so-called “alternative” lifestyles.

With the publication of his scandalous Sexual Behavior in the Human Male in 1948 and Sexual Behavior in the Human Female in 1953, biologist and sexologist Alfred Kinsey rocked America by stating that his Kinsey Scale revealed a spectrum of sexualities and the existence of sexual desire in women. He inspired the Storms Sexuality Axis and Klein Sexual Orientation Grid.

In 2023, the BBC wrote about a study that discovered more than 1.3 million citizens of England and Wales identified as gay, lesbian, or bisexual. Another 165,000 considered their sexual orientation to be “other.” Among those groups, 262,000 reported that the sex listed on their birth certificate is not the one that they identify with. That’s a lot of people who don’t see themselves as heterosexual or even the same gender doctors declared them to be before they drew breath.

Further confusing the issue, neither sexual nor gender identity is fixed. They can and most likely will change throughout life. It can be as “mundane” as a drop or increase in libido or as “shocking” as an emerging interest in kink or polyamory, an unexpected sexy crush on a same-sex person, a growing discomfort with identifying as male or female, or a realization that a lot of people are so darn cute and sexy that it doesn’t matter as much as it once did what they have in their pants.

Here are 18 sexual identities that have been identified. Some may resonate with you, others may not. Either way, it’s helpful to understand words related to sexuality and relationships.

Allosexuality
Allowsexuality is considered by most cultures as the norm. It encompasses most of us but is not a universal truth. An Allowsexual experiences sexual desire for other people. Whether they are partnered or not, they are capable of sexual behavior and romantic love.

Asexuality
The opposite of Allosexuality is Asexuality. This means that a person feels anywhere between minimal and no interest in sex. Some are actively repulsed by the very idea. Bonobology explains that there are many misconceptions about Asexuality. One of the most pervasive is they do not experience romantic emotions. Those people are more accurately referred to as Aromantic.

Androsexuality
An Androsexual loves everything masculine whether it exists in a cis man, a butch woman, a transman or a transwoman.

Gynesexuality
A Gynesexual person is all about the feminine, regardless of who embodies it. Sometimes called Gynephilia, this form of sexuality includes everything from meaningful eye contact to craving another’s touch to flirtations and an attraction to another person’s body.

Heterosexuality
Heterosexuality, also known as being “Straight,” is considered the international norm for sexuality. A Heterosexual person can be sexually and romantically drawn to members of the so-called opposite gender. Transmen who date only trans- or cis women, and transwomen who date only trans- or cis men are seen as Heterosexual.

Homosexuality
Another designation that relies on a binary view of sexuality is Homosexuality. A Homosexual person is enticed purely by people of the same sex or gender. Male Homosexuals are called “Gay” and female Homosexuals are called “Lesbians.” Transmen who date only trans- or cis men, and transwomen who date only trans- or cis women are viewed as Homosexual. 

Polysexuality
A Polysexual person isn’t bound to any specific gender in their search for love and carnal satisfaction. It doesn’t mean that a Polysexual person has an interest in all genders, however. Every Polysexual person has their favorites. This is further replicated in Polyromanticism, where a person can feel romantic about more than one gender.

Bisexuality
Bisexual people can be more attracted to one gender than another or all equally. There is also an associated romantic term, Biromanticism. A Biromantic lover may or may not be sexually attracted to more than one gender, but they can have intense emotions for people of various genders.

Bicuriosity
Performative Bisexuality can be seen in bars and nightclubs on the regular when tipsy Bicurious women have an “I Kissed a Girl” moment to attract the eyes of men who like that kind of thing. For men, the possibility that they are Bisexual comes with a fear that if known, it will be met with disapproval. Bicurious people may sleep or date multiple genders but are not ready to apply the word Bisexual to themselves.

Pansexuality
Pansexuality is almost a guarantee to get lucky. Pansexuals can be attracted to any sex, gender, or orientation; thus the prefix of “pan,” which means all. Panromantic people can also become smitten with any of their dates.

Demisexuality
Demisexuals are considered on the asexual spectrum. But just because they won’t fuck just anyone doesn’t mean they won’t fuck someone special. Demisexuals can get turned on, but unless there is an emotional connection, they won’t pursue sex. A Demiromantic rarely feels love without an authentic emotional bond.

Graysexuality
Also on the Asexual spectrum is Graysexuality. A Graysexual does get horny and does enjoy sex, but doesn't need it every night. They are always eager for cuddling and non-sexual expressions of affection. A Grayromantic may crush on or even love someone, but they rarely introduce themselves.

Cupiosexuality
Cupiosexual individuals are not driven by sexual attraction, but they still like to shop around for people to have sex with. Cupioromanticism is a preference for romance even though they do not feel romantic themselves.

Autosexuality
Sometimes people just want to be by themselves, even when it’s time for sex. Autosexuality is, quite simply, being turned on by yourself. Masturbation fulfils their physical needs and their own company satisfies the Autoromantic's emotional needs.

Ceterosexuality
Easily mistaken for a fetish is Ceterosexuality, a sexual attraction to trans and nonbinary people. Its expression of love is called Ceteroromanticism and focuses on trans and nonbinary sweethearts. 

Sapiosexuality
Sapiosexuality is not afraid of intelligence. In fact, it’s a huge turn on. The object of their desire does not have to be beautiful or handsome, just sharp as a whip. That is the aphrodisiac. Those inclined to fall in love with smart people are said to be Sapioromantic.

Abrosexuality
Abrosexuality means that an individual may be Heterosexual for a while, then Bisexual, then Ceterosexual, then back to Heterosexual. Abroromantics likewise experience variability in their choice of love partners.

Hetero- and Homoflexibility
Those who embrace their Heteroflexibility or Homoflexibility admit that they sometimes like to walk on the wild side, whichever side that may be. 

In Conclusion
The great thing about human sexuality is that we are not locked into one identity, term, or label. We can mix and match sexual and romantic variations or stick with one. The goal is to find what feels right and comfortable at whatever pace is necessary. While this happens, remember that everyone else is doing the same thing with varying degrees of grace.