Skip to main content

People are coming out as “Demisexual” – here’s what it means

 

It can difficult, if not impossible to keep up with the glossary of changing words relating to sex and sexuality.

“Graysexual“, “Abrosexual“, and “Almondsexual” are just three examples of terms we’ve written about here at Newsner, terms that we didn’t have much of a clue about before we decided to dig deeper.

Call it a sign of the times, perhaps, but it seems like there are new ways, new labels for one to define their experiences of attraction being created all the time.

Now, let me stress that I don’t have anything specifically against this. I’m not some grumpy curmudgeon resisting change and vehemently complaining because things aren’t exactly the way they used to be.

That said, it can all get a bit confusing. At the moment it seems like there are so many ways for people to identify, such a large spectrum of words with which to describe one’s sexuality and attraction, that it’s impossible to keep track.

Which is why we’ve taken it upon ourselves to clarify matters wherever possible, and we why we – as a result – decided to provide some more information of what being ‘Demisexual’ means.

Now, unlike certain other terms (“Almondsexual“, we’re looking at you), you may have actually come across demisexuality before. British singer Tulisa Contostavlos made headlines after opening up about her identity in 2024 while on the show I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! 

The former X Factor judge revealed to her campmates then that she identified as demisexual.

But what does it mean?

Well, Tulisa explained that she only feels sexual attraction when she forms a deep emotional connection with someone.

According to BBC News, she said: “For me, it’s all about the connection and the emotions that I feel with someone and then wanting to express them in that way.”

“I need actual depth…” she added. “I’m a slow, slow burner.”

As per reports, demisexuality is a sexual orientation used to describe people who only experience sexual attraction after developing a close emotional bond with someone.

A by-product of this is that the resulting connection tends to be rooted in personality and trust, rather than more stereotypical factors such as appearance, scent and voice.

Demisexuals usually don’t feel drawn to strangers or casual encounters, which can make dating difficult, for obvious reasons. Not only that, but one imagines it might be even more painful than usual if things don’t work out.

Had you heard the term ‘demisexual’ before? Let us know in the comments.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Common back-pain drug may be linked to higher dementia risk, large study finds

  A pain medication that millions of Americans rely on for chronic back pain may come with a hidden risk: a significantly higher chance of developing dementia or other cognitive problems, according to a major new study. Compared 26,000 adults Researchers from Case Western Reserve University and several partner institutions analyzed medical records from 68 health systems across the U.S., comparing 26,414 adults prescribed gabapentin for persistent low-back pain with a matched group who had similar pain — but didn’t take the drug. Their finding was sobering: Adults who received six or more gabapentin prescriptions were 29% more likely to be diagnosed with dementia and 85% more likely to develop mild cognitive impairment (MCI) within 10 years. The risk wasn’t limited to older adults. In fact, it was younger Americans who saw the most dramatic increases. Younger adults saw shocking risk increases For people normally considered decades away from dementia: Ages 35–49 taking gabapentin ha...

Why bathing too much can harm your skin and health

  After a long day, there’s something incredibly soothing about stepping into a warm shower, letting the water wash away your fatigue. But what if your beloved soaks are causing more harm than good? According to growing research and expert opinion, bathing too often could actually “be bad for your health,” messing with your immune system, and even putting stress on your body’s natural ability to regulate temperature. It turns out, that squeaky-clean feeling may come at a cost. Natural oils The human skin isn’t just a passive layer of tissue – it’s your body’s largest organ and one of its smartest. It produces natural oils to keep itself moisturized and forms a barrier of good bacteria to fend off harmful invaders. But when you shower too frequently, especially with hot water and harsh soaps, you strip away these essential oils. The result isn’t just dryness – it’s often a cycle of itching, redness, flaking, and irritation. “Normal skin has a protective layer of oil and a balance of...

Kid Rock mocked as fans all make same complaint during All-American halftime show

  The Seattle Seahawks may have handled business on the field, beating the New England Patriots 29–13 at Levi’s Stadium, but off the field, a very different showdown was unfolding. Led by Kid Rock This Super Bowl Sunday, America didn’t get one halftime show, it got two. While the NFL’s official halftime spotlight went to global sensation Bad Bunny, millions of viewers switched over to Turning Point USA’s rival “All-American Halftime Show”. Kid Rock, 55, closed out the conservative-backed livestream after performances from Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, and Gabby Barrett. The event was billed as a cultural alternative to the NFL’s mainstage spectacle. But within seconds of taking the stage, viewers began pointing out the same issue. Many accused the rocker of lip-syncing. “Nice lip syncing,” one viewer wrote. “Did Kid Rock just badly lip sync through his song? Or was my stream messed up?” another asked. “So was that a bad lip sync job by Kid Rock? Or was my stream messed up? Thank you...