Difference between revisions of "Demisexual"

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A person who identifies as a '''demisexual''' is, according to [[Rabger's model]], a person who does not experience primary sexual attraction but yet still experiences secondary sexual attraction.  Primary sexual attraction being sexual attraction based on outward qualities such as a person's looks, clothes, or personality. Secondary sexual attraction being attraction to another stemming from an emotional connection, usually romantic, or from status or how closely the person is in relationship to the other.
 
  
The name demisexual comes from the orientation being "halfway between" sexual and asexual: In general, demisexuals are not sexually attracted to anyone of either gender; however, when a demisexual is emotionally connected to (usually in love with) someone else, the demisexual experiences sexual attraction and desire to the same degree as a sexual person, but only towards the specific partner(s).
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A '''demisexual''' is a person who does not experience sexual attraction unless they form a strong emotional connection with someone. It's more commonly seen in but by no means confined to romantic relationships. The term demisexual comes from the orientation being "halfway between" sexual and asexual. Nevertheless, this term does not mean that demisexuals have an incomplete or half-sexuality, nor does it mean that sexual attraction without emotional connection is required for a complete sexuality. In general, demisexuals are not sexually attracted to anyone of any gender; however, when a demisexual is emotionally connected to someone else (whether the feelings are romantic love or deep friendship), the demisexual experiences sexual attraction and desire, but only towards the specific partner or partners.
  
Though factors such as looks and personality do not affect primary sexual attraction for demisexuals (since demisexuals do not experience primary sexual attraction), such factors may affect romantic attraction, as with any other orientation.
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When describing demisexuality as an orientation to sexuals, sexuals often mistake it as an admirable choice rather than an innate [[Sexual orientation|orientation]]. Demisexuals are not choosing to abstain; they simply lack sexual attraction until a close relationship is formed.
  
"Demisexual" is also sometimes used as a synonym for some other kind of person falling under the [[Gray-A|gray-A]] umbrella. Demisexuality differs from gray-asexuality in that demisexuality is a specific sexual orientation in between "sexual" and "asexual", whereas "gray-A" is a highly unspecific catch-all used for anything between sexual and asexual that doesn't fit.
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According to [[Primary vs. secondary sexual attraction model|one hypothetical model]], a person who identifies as a demisexual does not experience primary [[Attraction#Sexual Attraction|sexual attraction]] but does experience secondary sexual attraction. In this model, primary sexual attraction is based on outward qualities such as a person's looks, clothes, or personality while secondary sexual attraction is attraction stemming from a connection, usually romantic, or from status or how closely the person is in relationship to the other.
  
When describing "demisexual" as an orientation to sexuals, sexuals often mistake it as an admirable choice rather than an innate orientation.
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Though factors such as looks and personality do not affect primary sexual attraction for demisexuals (since demisexuals do not experience primary sexual attraction), such factors may affect [[Attraction#Romantic Attraction|romantic attraction]], as with any other orientation.
  
Demisexuality may make forming romantic or sexual [[relationships]] more difficult for some people. Demisexuals often make first impressions with sexuals of being "just friends", which may make the sexual value the relationship less.  Demisexuals often have rocky relationships with asexuals because the demisexual's feeling may become more sexualized with time, which the asexual may find inappropriate or unexpected. In either case, having a better understanding of one's own orientation and how it differs from one's partner's orientation may help facilitate communication to clear up misunderstandings.
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"Demisexual" is sometimes out under the [[gray-A]] umbrella. Demisexuality differs from gray-asexuality in that demisexuality is a specific sexual orientation in between "sexual" and "asexual", whereas "gray-A" is a highly unspecific catch-all used for anything between sexual and asexual that does not fit.
  
=== See Also ===
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Demisexuality may make forming romantic or sexual [[relationships]] more difficult for some people.  Demisexuals often make first impressions with sexuals of being "just friends", which may make them sexually value the relationship less.
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Demis may also append a gender orientation to the label, as in "Demi-heterosexual".
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== See Also ==
 
*[[Gray-A]]
 
*[[Gray-A]]
*[[Rabger's model]]
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==Related links==
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*[http://www.asexuality.org/en/index.php?/forum/72-the-gray-area/ AVEN's Gray Area]
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*[http://www.demisexuality.org/ Demisexuality.org]
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*[http://demigrace.forumotion.com/ Demi Grace] - a forum for demisexuals, grey-asexuals and allies
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*[http://demigray.tumblr.com/ Demi Gray] - advice for demisexuals and gray-asexuals
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{{Sexuality}}
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[[Category:Orientations]]

Revision as of 01:50, 3 September 2017

This article is in need of attention.

A demisexual is a person who does not experience sexual attraction unless they form a strong emotional connection with someone. It's more commonly seen in but by no means confined to romantic relationships. The term demisexual comes from the orientation being "halfway between" sexual and asexual. Nevertheless, this term does not mean that demisexuals have an incomplete or half-sexuality, nor does it mean that sexual attraction without emotional connection is required for a complete sexuality. In general, demisexuals are not sexually attracted to anyone of any gender; however, when a demisexual is emotionally connected to someone else (whether the feelings are romantic love or deep friendship), the demisexual experiences sexual attraction and desire, but only towards the specific partner or partners.

When describing demisexuality as an orientation to sexuals, sexuals often mistake it as an admirable choice rather than an innate orientation. Demisexuals are not choosing to abstain; they simply lack sexual attraction until a close relationship is formed.

According to one hypothetical model, a person who identifies as a demisexual does not experience primary sexual attraction but does experience secondary sexual attraction. In this model, primary sexual attraction is based on outward qualities such as a person's looks, clothes, or personality while secondary sexual attraction is attraction stemming from a connection, usually romantic, or from status or how closely the person is in relationship to the other.

Though factors such as looks and personality do not affect primary sexual attraction for demisexuals (since demisexuals do not experience primary sexual attraction), such factors may affect romantic attraction, as with any other orientation.

"Demisexual" is sometimes out under the gray-A umbrella. Demisexuality differs from gray-asexuality in that demisexuality is a specific sexual orientation in between "sexual" and "asexual", whereas "gray-A" is a highly unspecific catch-all used for anything between sexual and asexual that does not fit.

Demisexuality may make forming romantic or sexual relationships more difficult for some people. Demisexuals often make first impressions with sexuals of being "just friends", which may make them sexually value the relationship less.

Demis may also append a gender orientation to the label, as in "Demi-heterosexual".

See Also

Related links


Sexual orientation
Asexual · Bisexual · Demisexual · Grey-A · Heterosexual · Homosexual · Pansexual
Research
Kinsey scale · Storms' model · Asexual studies · Asexual behavior in non-human animals
Category:Orientation