I think we’re all aware that, contrary to what your worst relative is probably typing into the Facebook void as we speak, gender and sexual identities are not mere passing “trends.” That’s not to say, however, that certain sexualities and their corresponding lingo can’t have a moment, if you will. And if there’s an entry in the extended LGBTQIA+ lexicon that happens to be doing so at the moment, it’s “androgynosexual,” which dating app Feeld recently named the “fastest growing sexuality” in its annual Raw report, citing a 250 percent increase in use of the label among users.
As the name suggests, “androgynosexuality refers to attraction to androgynous individuals—those who embody a mix of traditionally masculine and feminine traits, whether in their appearance, expression, or identity,” explains psychologist Shannon Chavez, PsyD, a certified sex therapist. Like gynesexuality (attraction to traditionally “female” characteristics) androgynosexual is an identity that focuses on the qualities someone finds attractive rather than the gender identity of the people they are attracted to.
While the term may be experiencing new levels of awareness and popularity, the experience it describes is something that has always existed; its creation and adoption as a label is merely a matter of increasing visibility and acceptance of the myriad ways people can experience attraction beyond the gay/straight binary.
“The rise of androgynosexuality likely reflects broader cultural shifts—greater visibility of androgynous representation in media, a growing rejection of rigid gender binaries, and an expanding vocabulary for attraction beyond traditional labels,” says Dr. Chavez. “As more people explore fluidity in both gender expression and attraction, they seek terms that better reflect their experiences.”
Here’s everything to know about androgynosexuality, one the top gender/identity terms you’re gonna want to know in 2025.
What Does It Mean to Be Androgynosexual?
“Androgynosexual means to be attracted to someone who is androgynous—a person who has both masculine and feminine characteristics and traits, regardless of gender,” says sex educator Emily Zawadzki.
While it’s hard to say exactly when this term was created, Zawadzki points to a 2009 Urban Dictionary entry as one of its earliest known appearances. Meanwhile, its etymological origins are pretty straightforward. The word “androgynous” is a combination of “andro” (meaning man) and “gyne” (meaning woman). Thus, “‘androgynosexual’ combines ‘androgyny’ with ‘sexual,’ implying ‘attraction,’” says Dr. Chavez. “It likely emerged from discussions around sexual orientation and identity in queer and alternative sexuality spaces, gaining traction as language around attraction has become more nuanced.”
And while androgynosexual seems to refer specifically to sexual attraction, Dr. Chavez notes that it may also describe romantic attraction as well.
Androgynosexuality differs somewhat from other sexual identities that may be more familiar, such as being gay, bi, or pansexual, in that it’s based on what qualities someone is attracted to, rather than what specific gender(s).
Who Can Be Androgynosexual?
“Anyone who finds androgynous traits appealing, regardless of their own gender or orientation, might identify as androgynosexual,” says Dr. Chavez. “It can overlap with other identities, including bisexuality, pansexuality, demisexuality, and even aesthetic attraction rather than purely sexual or romantic attraction. It also intersects with gender nonconformity, as androgyny challenges binary notions of masculinity and femininity.”
However, it’s important to note that identifying as androgynosexual is not the same thing as being attracted exclusively to nonbinary people. “While some nonbinary individuals may be androgynous, androgyny is about expression rather than identity,” says Dr. Chavez. Basically, someone who identifies as androgynosexual may be attracted to people of any gender (although not necessarily) who present as androgynous.
Again, androgynosexuality may overlap with other sexualities that are more gender-specific, and an androgynosexual person may identify with multiple labels or just the one.
“Although it might intersect with broader identities like ‘bisexual,’ ‘pansexual,’ or ‘queer,’ those who identify as androgynosexual may find it easier to use this term to communicate their specific preferences,” says Zawadzki. “Terms like androgynosexual give queer people more options to explore and a more specific way to define their attraction and preferences. As with all labels and identities, it’s personal—and there’s a reason that an androgynosexual person uses this term over others.”
So Why Is it Trending?
Again, attraction to androgyny has existed for as long as androgyny itself. The increasing popularity of this new(ish) terminology really just has to do with visibility. As more people feel comfortable exploring and expressing themselves beyond the gender binary, more people experience attraction toward it, and language follows suit.
“As more labels are created and become available, it gives folks a chance to put words to feelings that already exist for them and visibility to something that others can relate to,” says Zawadzki. “With the rise in the trans, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming population as well, it makes sense that a term has been created to represent the attraction felt towards them.”
Of course, as with all LGBTQIA+ terms, this one is meant to include and expand, not to box anyone in. If androgynosexual is a label that feels right, by all means, go forth and apply liberally. If not, it’s literally no big deal.
Kayla Kibbe (she/her) is the Associate Sex and Relationships Editor at Cosmopolitan US, where she covers all things sex, love, dating and relationships. She lives in Astoria, Queens and probably won’t stop talking about how great it is if you bring it up. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram.
