Requissexual
Requissexual (also spelled requiessexual) is an identity on the asexual spectrum that describes someone who experiences little or no sexual attraction, interest, or desire because of emotional or mental exhaustion.
This emotional exhaustion may result from previous sexual or romantic experiences, relationship difficulties, trauma, or other emotionally draining circumstances. For someone who identifies as requissexual, their attraction is highly dependent on their current energy levels and the amount of social/emotional "effort" required by the interaction.
Requissexual is considered an asexual-spectrum microlabel because it describes a specific experience of limited or absent sexual attraction. Some definitions also classify it as a neurosexual identity, particularly when emotional exhaustion is connected to neurodivergence or mental health experiences. However, not all community definitions restrict the term to neurodivergent people.
Requissexualityisn't the same as being too tired for sex or temporarily experiencing a low sex drive. The term describes how someone understands their experience of sexual attraction and interest, rather than necessarily referring to a short-term lack of energy or sexual activity.
Origins of the Term Requiessexual
The name requissexual comes from the Latin "requies," meaning "rest" or "repose." It was coined on Tumblr by user @gay4dragons in June 2014, alongside the related term "requiesromantic."
The original post, dated June 8, 2014, described requissexual as experiencing limited or no sexual attraction, interest, or activity because of emotional exhaustion. The creator explained that this exhaustion could result from previous sexual experiences or other emotionally draining circumstances.
In February 2015, Tumblr user @hyaenahart created a pride flag for requissexual and requiesromantic identities. The five-striped design uses black to represent asexuality and aromanticism, light blue for rest, light yellow for energy and emotional exhaustion, white for a possible absence of attraction, and grey for confusion.
The term continued circulating in online asexual-spectrum communities. By 2016, some descriptions explicitly connected requissexuality to emotional exhaustion associated with conditions such as depression, anxiety, autism, and PTSD. However, the original definition did not restrict the identity to neurodivergent people or those with mental health conditions.
Related Terms
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