{"id":4851,"date":"2023-12-11T15:10:49","date_gmt":"2023-12-11T15:10:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/?p=4851"},"modified":"2024-01-10T15:38:26","modified_gmt":"2024-01-10T15:38:26","slug":"what-is-demisexuality","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/what-is-demisexuality\/","title":{"rendered":"What is demisexuality?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>You may recognise the word \u201cdemisexual\u201d, but do you know what it means?<\/p>\n<p>In this blog, we\u2019re celebrating demisexuality and raising awareness about everything it entails. From what being demisexual means to understanding whether you\u2019re demisexual, we\u2019re covering all the common questions and spotlighting helpful educational resources.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#whatdoesdemisexualmean?\">What does demisexual mean?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#signsyoumightbedemisexual\">Signs you might be demisexual<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#findingademisexualcommunity\">Finding a demisexual community<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#howtoexploreyoursexuality\">How to explore your sexuality<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#howtosupportsomeone\">How to support someone that\u2019s demisexual<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#thetakeaway\">The takeaway<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>Keep reading to learn more.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"whatdoesdemisexualmean?\"><strong>What does demisexual mean?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Demisexual is a type of sexual orientation that describes someone who doesn&#8217;t feel attracted to others unless they personally know them and have an emotional connection to them.<\/p>\n<p>This is a lesser-known sexual orientation, but it\u2019s not a new concept at all. Demisexuality was coined in the mid-2000s, and thousands of people identify with it today. Being demisexual is all about needing to be familiar and feeling close or safe with someone before engaging in any sexual behaviours.<\/p>\n<p>So, a demisexual isn\u2019t one for spontaneous one-night stands. However, they are open to sexual experiences with those they have a close and personal relationship with.<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do demisexuals have low sex drives?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A common misconception is that demisexuals don\u2019t have sex drives or have very low sex drives. This isn\u2019t true. Demisexuals don\u2019t find the idea of sleeping with someone they don\u2019t know attractive. For a demisexual, attraction is all about knowing someone, feeling comfortable with them, and having an emotional connection.<\/p>\n<p>Technically, demisexuality falls under the asexuality umbrella, but they\u2019re not quite the same. This is because demisexuals do experience sexual attraction, whereas asexuals don\u2019t. Demisexual people are capable of feeling sexual attraction. The key is that it takes time and emotional connection to build.<\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-4853\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/what-is-demisexuality-2.png\" alt=\"gay couple in embrace looking out the window\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/what-is-demisexuality-2.png 1080w, https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/what-is-demisexuality-2-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/what-is-demisexuality-2-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/what-is-demisexuality-2-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/what-is-demisexuality-2-600x338.png 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"\u201dsignsyoumightbedemisexual&quot;\"><strong>Signs you might be demisexual<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Are you curious about demisexuality? <strong><em>Here are some signs that you might fall under the demi description:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>You don\u2019t experience attraction in the way your peers do.<\/strong> If you don\u2019t relate to people wanting to sleep with those they don\u2019t know or celebrities, it could be a sign that you\u2019re demisexual<\/li>\n<li><strong>You only experience sexual attraction after you get to know someone.<\/strong> If you only feel a rush of desire once you\u2019re familiar with someone, you might be demi<\/li>\n<li><strong>Most sexual relationships begin as friends. <\/strong>Similarly to the point above, any relationships you\u2019ve had have likely started as platonic relationships<\/li>\n<li><strong>You feel pressure on first dates. <\/strong>Demisexuals don\u2019t feel comfortable with first-date sex and are more likely to fixate on deep questions and getting to know the other person.<\/li>\n<li><strong>You don\u2019t fixate on looks or physique. <\/strong>To you, attraction is related to shared interests and personality rather than abs or breasts<\/li>\n<li><strong>You\u2019ve been called \u201cpicky\u201d or a \u201cprude\u201d. <\/strong>People who aren\u2019t demisexual might call you \u201cpicky\u201d because they don\u2019t understand how your attraction works<\/li>\n<li><strong>You don\u2019t always understand flirting.<\/strong> Perhaps flirting makes you freeze up, or maybe it makes you uncomfortable. Either way, if you think flirting is meaningless or too surface-level, you might need a more profound connection for attraction<\/li>\n<li><strong>You don\u2019t enjoy <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/signs-of-pornography-addiction\/\"><strong>pornography<\/strong><\/a><strong>.<\/strong> As pornography is very visual and lacks emotions and storylines, it might not do much for you<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>These are all common indicators of demisexuality. However, ticking these off doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019re demisexual. Only you can decide your sexuality, and it\u2019s completely okay if demisexuality doesn\u2019t feel right for you. Many sexualities overlap and have similar qualities. Take time to research and reflect on your own feelings before choosing a label.<\/p>\n<p>But remember, you don\u2019t have to choose a label either! There\u2019s no wrong or right answer when it comes to sexual orientation and attraction, nor is there any pressure to get things \u201cfigured out\u201d.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"findingademisexualcommunity\"><strong>Finding a demisexual community<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Whether you want to chat with like-minded people or learn more about demisexuality, finding a demisexual community is an excellent idea while learning about sexuality.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s easiest to find other demisexuals online, and social media is an excellent place to start. TikTok is home to lots of informative videos, and you\u2019ll find other demisexuals providing advice and sharing their life experiences. If you\u2019d rather chat on a forum-based website, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/demisexuality\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">r\/demisexuality subReddit<\/a> is another good resource for connecting with others and asking questions.<\/p>\n<p>Alternatively, you can explore organisations like the <a href=\"https:\/\/demisexuality.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Demisexuality Resource Center<\/a> to find out more about what it means to be demisexual and what to do if you think you might be demisexual. This organisation is owned and operated by a demisexual and focuses on lifting up genuine demisexual voices to ensure they can be heard.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"howtoexploreyoursexuality\"><strong>How to explore your sexuality<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>It can be challenging to know where to start if you\u2019re feeling called to explore your sexuality. It\u2019s critical to note that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/what-being-bisexual-actually-means\/\">sexuality<\/a> is a very personal journey, and there\u2019s no need to do anything that you don\u2019t want to.<\/p>\n<p>However, if you\u2019re finding yourself being drawn to demisexuality, it might be time to reflect on your feelings. <strong><em>You can start exploring your sexuality through the following tips:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Journaling about your feelings<\/strong> &#8211; It can be helpful to get the thoughts out of your head. Many find journaling helps them make sense of their feelings and attraction<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/best-sex-positive-media\/%5D\"><strong>Reading books<\/strong><\/a><strong> and articles on the subject <\/strong>&#8211; Seek out content from demisexual writers to learn from their experience<\/li>\n<li><strong>Follow demisexual creators<\/strong> &#8211; Social media is a powerful tool, so don\u2019t forget to use it!<\/li>\n<li><strong>Chat with friends, family, or a professional <\/strong>&#8211; Talking to someone else about your feelings can help you discover more about yourself. But only do so if you feel comfortable and safe with them<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/exploring-your-sexuality-as-lgbtq\/\">Learn more about navigating your sexuality here<\/a>.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-4854\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/what-is-demisexuality-1.png\" alt=\"couple in embrace looking out the window\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/what-is-demisexuality-1.png 1080w, https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/what-is-demisexuality-1-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/what-is-demisexuality-1-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/what-is-demisexuality-1-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/what-is-demisexuality-1-600x338.png 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"howtosupportsomeone\"><strong>How to support someone that\u2019s demisexual<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Has someone in your life come out as demisexual? It\u2019s time to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/sexuality-and-mental-health\/\">show them support <\/a>and understanding. The best way to be a demisexual ally is by listening to their thoughts and opinions and by accepting their sexual orientation.<\/p>\n<p>However, don\u2019t push them if they\u2019re not ready. You shouldn\u2019t ask invasive or personal questions if they\u2019re not prepared to talk about it just yet. Like with any gender identity or sexual orientation, it\u2019s critical for you to do your own research rather than expecting your loved one to teach you.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re reading this article, you\u2019re already making a start! Read the Demisexuality Resource Center\u2019s &#8216;<a href=\"http:\/\/demisexuality.org\/articles\/for-friends-and-family\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">For Friends and Family<\/a>&#8216; section next to learn more.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"&quot;thetakeaway\u201d\"><strong>The takeaway<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Sexuality isn\u2019t always simple, and that\u2019s the beauty of it. Demisexuality is a valid sexual orientation, and it\u2019s time to give the community more support and visibility. Good luck if you\u2019re on a self-reflective journey. Hopefully, this resource will help you learn more about yourself and others.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/sex-and-relationships\/\">Read more sex and relationship content online.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>You may recognise the word \u201cdemisexual\u201d, but do you know what it means? In this blog, we\u2019re celebrating demisexuality and raising awareness about everything it entails. From what being demisexual means to understanding whether you\u2019re demisexual, we\u2019re covering all the common questions and spotlighting helpful educational resources. What does demisexual mean? Signs you might be [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4855,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"CBBTypography":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[223],"tags":[],"yst_prominent_words":[],"class_list":["post-4851","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sex-and-relationships"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4851","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4851"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4851\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4855"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4851"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4851"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4851"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=4851"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}