Androbisexual

Key Features

• Androbisexual individuals experience sexual attraction to people who embody or express masculinity, which may include cisgender men, transgender men, nonbinary individuals, or anyone with a masculine presentation.

• The attraction may be based on gender expression, rather than gender identity, and could involve individuals with varying gender identities who present or express themselves in masculine ways.

• The term highlights a specific attraction to masculinity, rather than simply being attracted to male-identifying individuals.

Context

Androbisexuality focuses on the appeal of masculine traits or expressions rather than biological sex or gender identity. It is a term used within broader sexual orientation discussions to emphasize the role that gender expression plays in attraction, helping to clarify the nuances of attraction beyond binary gender categories.

Attraction to Masculinity

Androbisexual individuals are drawn to men or masculine traits, which can include physical appearance, behavior, or energy associated with masculinity. This attraction is not limited by the gender identity of the masculine individual and can extend across the gender spectrum.

Example: An androbisexual person may be attracted to masculine-presenting individuals, whether they are cisgender men, transgender men, or nonbinary individuals who express masculinity.

Diverse Gender Identity of Androbisexual Individuals

People of any gender identity can identify as androbisexual. Their orientation reflects whom they are attracted to rather than their own gender or gender expression.

Example: A nonbinary person could identify as androbisexual if they are primarily attracted to men or masculine traits.

Intersection With Bisexuality

The term "androbisexual" specifically emphasizes attraction to men or masculinity within the broader bisexual spectrum. It allows individuals to articulate their preference within the context of multiple attractions.

Cultural Relevance

The term androbisexual helps to expand conversations about sexual attraction and gender expression by acknowledging that masculinity can be attractive regardless of a person's gender identity. It adds depth to the understanding of sexual attraction, promoting inclusivity for those whose attractions are based on gender expression rather than gender identity.

Broadening Definitions of Masculinity

Androbisexuality challenges traditional and restrictive views of masculinity by validating the attraction to masculine traits across diverse genders. This recognition fosters inclusivity and promotes a more expansive understanding of masculinity.

Example: An androbisexual person may appreciate masculine energy in both cisgender men and masculine-presenting nonbinary individuals, emphasizing the fluidity of gender expression.

Visibility Within the LGBTQIA+ Community

The term "androbisexual" helps articulate specific experiences within the LGBTQIA+ spectrum, offering language to describe attractions that might otherwise go unnamed. It contributes to the rich diversity of sexual orientations and fosters greater representation.

Example: Including androbisexual experiences in discussions about bisexuality helps ensure that nuanced attractions within the spectrum are acknowledged.

Destigmatizing Preferences

In a society where certain preferences or attractions can be stigmatized, androbisexuality validates the natural variation in sexual attraction. It emphasizes that being attracted to masculinity, in its many forms, is a legitimate and valued orientation.

Example: Media representation of androbisexual individuals can normalize and celebrate attraction to diverse expressions of masculinity.

Challenges Faced by Androbisexual Individuals

• Misunderstanding and Stereotyping: Androbisexuality may be misunderstood or conflated with other orientations, leading to erasure or invalidation.

  • Example: An androbisexual person might face assumptions that they are attracted only to cisgender men, ignoring their broader attraction to masculinity across genders.

• Binary Gender Norms: Society’s emphasis on binary gender norms can make it challenging for androbisexual individuals to articulate their attraction to nonbinary or transgender individuals with masculine traits.

  • Example: An androbisexual person attracted to a masculine nonbinary partner may have to navigate conversations about their orientation in a binary-focused world.

• Limited Representation: There is a lack of visibility for androbisexual identities in media and LGBTQIA+ narratives, leading to feelings of isolation.

  • Example: Androbisexual experiences are often overlooked in discussions about bisexuality, which tend to focus on binary attractions.