Androgynosexual
Androgynosexual is a term used to describe someone who is attracted to people with an androgynous appearance. Androgynous people have characteristics that are typically associated with both men and women. An androgynosexual person isn’t necessarily attracted to a specific gender identity, but rather to androgyny itself. For example, they might be drawn to people who look or present in a way that’s not clearly “male” or “female.”
This attraction can include:
- People who are non-binary, genderfluid, or genderqueer.
- Anyone who expresses themselves in a way that combines masculine and feminine elements.
Androgynosexuality can overlap with pansexual or bisexual attraction depending on how someone experiences it.
Origins of the Term
The term androgynosexual comes from two roots that describe both gender expression and sexual attraction. “Androgyno–” comes from "androgynous," which itself comes from the Greek "andr" (man) and "gynē" (woman), meaning having both masculine and feminine characteristics. The word appears to have emerged in online queer and identity discussions in the early 2000s–2010s, especially on forums, sexuality glossaries, and later Tumblr and LGBTQ+ wikis.
It's important to note that androgynosexual is not a widely used term, and it isn't included in many official dictionaries. But it is a term that some people use to describe their sexual orientation.
Related Terms
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