Could You Unknowingly Identify As 'Abrosexual'? Explore What It Means

Understanding your sexual identity and preferences can sometimes be overwhelming as they are not 'one size fits all' concepts. It is not a decision we can wake up one day and make; rather, it is a complex and ever-evolving journey. The term 'abrosexuality' that defines this fluidity has recently become popular on social media, with many individuals realising that it resonates with their experience. While being a label in itself, this sexual orientation is all about ditching the heteronormative labels and embracing the dynamic nature of sexual attractions.

What Is Abrosexuality?

'Abrosexual' comes from the Greek word, "abro," which means "delicate" or "graceful." It has been used to define sexual attraction that keeps shifting over time. For example, a heterosexual person who is typically attracted to cisgender-heterosexual men might find themselves growing an inclination towards a person of another gender.

A lot of people report finding out they are abrosexual well into their adult life. One such person is Emma Flint, who shared that she was 30 when she came to the realisation. Sharing her experience on Metro UK, she wrote, "One day I felt like I was a lesbian, yet days or weeks later, I’d feel more aligned with bisexuality."

Flint said she learned about the term from Zoe Stellar, a US-based creator, educator, and social worker who seeks to improve the visibility of the LGBTQ+ community. "You know in cartoons when a lightbulb appears above their heads? That’s how it felt when I read their post," she wrote in the column. "Finally, I feel seen."

For Flint, abrosexuality was like a comfort blanket in her journey to navigating sexuality. "Before learning about abrosexuality, I felt lost. I also felt like a fraud because of how much I changed my identity when chatting with loved ones. They didn’t understand and, at that time, I didn’t have the right words to explain myself."

How Is It Different From Bisexuality Or Pansexuality?

Bisexuality and pansexuality are terms given to attraction to more than one (or all) gender. However, these definitions are generally static. Abrosexuality could be a fluctuation between different types of attractions. For example, a person who identifies as bisexual could shift to identifying as a heterosexual or a lesbian.

Abrosexuality is also a strong way to combat 'bisexual erasure' -- the assumption that bisexual individuals are merely "confused" about what "side" to pick -- by acknowledging and validating the fluid and evolving nature of sexual attraction, which is sometimes overlooked or misunderstood even within the LGBTQIA+ community.

There is no "right way" to be abrosexual. The term is a welcoming and flexible way for individuals to describe their evolving experiences with sexual attraction. It provides a framework for those whose experiences don’t "fit" into fixed categories and allows them to navigate their identities with greater understanding and acceptance.