Demisexual

Demisexual people experience sexual attraction only after forming a deep emotional bond, and do not feel immediate (primary) sexual attraction.

Definition

Experiences sexual attraction only after forming a deep emotional bond. Demisexual people do not experience primary (immediate) sexual attraction.

Flag

Demisexual flag, AVEN community symbol. Same four colours as the asexual flag in a different layout.

Etymology

From Latin demi- (half) + sexual. Coined in AVEN forums around 2006.

History

Coined within AVEN c. 2006 to describe an experience many struggled to articulate. The demi prefix acknowledged that demisexuals are neither fully asexual nor fully allosexual.

Common myths

Myth: Everyone is demisexual because you should get to know someone first. Demisexuality is the absence of primary sexual attraction, not a preference. Most people feel sexual attraction to strangers regardless of whether they act on it; demisexual people do not feel this at all.