Agoraphilia
Agoraphilia is a loosely defined term most often used for sexual interest in outdoor, open, or public places. Some definitions focus on the setting itself, while others emphasize public sex, exposure, or the possibility of being discovered. The word has also been used nonsexually to mean a love of open spaces or outdoor exploration.
As a kink, agoraphilia's appeal may come from the setting, the feeling of being exposed, or the risk of being discovered. It can overlap with public sex or exhibitionism, but it does not always mean wanting other people to watch.
Origins of the Term
Agoraphilia combines the Greek "agora," meaning a public meeting place or marketplace, with "philia," meaning love or attraction.
The term was not originally sexual. In his 1955 paper, "On the Meaning of Agoraphilia” psychoanalyst I. Peter Glauber used it to describe an unusually strong attraction to the outdoors, including exploring ruins, climbing mountains, and hiking through wilderness. The word has also been used more broadly as the opposite of agoraphobia: a love of open or public spaces rather than a fear of them.
The earliest clear sexual definition appears to come from Brenda Love's 1992 "Encyclopedia of Unusual Sex Practices." It describes agoraphilia as arousal from being in public or exposed places, including having sex outdoors or somewhere there is a chance of being discovered.
Related Terms
Updated Updated