Symbiosual is a relatively new term that researchers have introduced to describe a specific type of sual attraction found especially within LGBTQ+ circles and non-monogamous communities.People who identify as symbiosual often describe themselves as outgoing, emotionally open, and not the jealous type. Many of them crave closeness and connection. One even said they have a strong “desire to be desired.”
But what does being symbiosual actually mean? Let’s break it down.
Symbios**ality is on the rise.Adobe Stock
Based on recent research, symbiosuality is all about being drawn to the shared energy, emotional depth, and overall connection that exists between people who are already in a relationship.So, for someone who identifies this way, the attraction isn’t necessarily about one person. Instead, it’s about couples – whether they’re married, long-term partners, or part of a multi-person relationship. It’s the bond and interaction between them that’s appealing.
Rather than being attracted to a specific gender or type of person, symbiosuals are pulled in by the connection, chemistry, and dynamics that are already flowing between two or more people in a relationship.
Interestingly, a person can identify as symbiosual and also align with other sual or romantic identities at the same time.“It is the attraction to the relationship and/or energy shared between people that makes symbios**uality distinct from pluris**ualities such as bis**uality or pans**uality.” according to a recent study by suality researcher Dr. Sally W. Johnston, which was published in the Archives of Sual Behaviour.
The same study also explains: “Symbios**uality is also distinct from an interest in or preference for relationship structures involving three or more people, as this interest does not necessarily imply an experience of attraction to relationship dynamics between people (pre-existing or not).”
People who identify as symbios**ual are drawn to the energy and dynamics between the couple or those in a multi-partner relationship.Adobe Stock
Dr. Johnston looked at responses from nearly 400 people who took part in the 2023 Pleasure Study. This survey explored participants’ gender and sual identities to better understand this emerging attraction pattern.“Some people said they were attracted to just the love and the secure attachment.” shared Wendy Walsh, a relationship expert and psychology professor, in an interview with USA Today.
“Some were attracted to their aesthetic, like the two people as a couple, just looked really cool together. Some people were attracted to how they played with gender roles.”
According to the New York Post, a surprising 145 people in the study said they found themselves more attracted to couples as a unit than to the individual people within those relationships.One participant said what really drew them in was how connected and in sync the couples seemed.
“You feed off their energy, their attraction to each other… there’s an interplay between the couple.” she explained.
Another person in the study, named Eden, shared that they tend to seek out a lot of emotional affirmation. They said, “when there are multiple people like that,” they feel more secure and confident in themselves and their actions.The research showed that people who identify as symbiosual come from all kinds of backgrounds. They span a wide range of ages, genders, and ethnicities.
Still, Dr. Johnston pointed out that we need more research to fully understand how people interpret their attraction to couples. Especially when it comes to how that fits into their wider sual orientation and the cultural messages they’ve received throughout life about suality and relationships.
The term will help people worldwide feel more comfortable within themselves and their identities.Adobe Stock
Symbiosuality now even has its own entry and flag on Orientation Wiki, which helps validate and support those who identify with the term. The hope is that this label gives people a clearer way to express who they are and what they’re drawn to.And it’s not the only new identity people are talking about. In fact, another individual recently went viral for identifying as trigender.
This TikTok creator openly shared that they identify with three distinct genders—male, female, and non-binary—sparking a wave of conversation and support.
