Today, knowing what diverse attractions mean is important in today’s world of sexual orientation and identity. Androsexuality is one such orientation that, over the last few years, has come to the forefront. But what does it mean?
Androsexuality is orientation towards masculine energy or characteristics whether or not the gender identity matches the attraction. It’s nothing to do with a person’s biological sex really and more to do with traits that signify masculinity. Thus, Androsexuality, by defining this relationship between energy and sex, becomes an important term in discussions of sexuality precisely because sexual attraction is rarely, if ever, just about the physical. Now let’s take a deeper look into this orientation by exploring the meaning of it, its beginnings and how it looks in today’s gender fluid world.
Understanding Androsexuality
Origin of the Term
Androsexuality is a word derived from the Greek word ‘andro,’ meaning man or male. In modern sexual orientation discourse, however, that term has come to refer to attraction exclusively to masculinity. Instead, the androsexual breaks typical boundaries of orientation, for instance such things as heterosexuality, homosexuality, or bisexuality, because in this case it is based not on the gender of those involved, but on masculine traits in themselves.
What Sets It Apart?
Androsexuality is unique because it’s about the energy and characteristics of masculinity, and masculinity doesn’t have to be for cis men or trans men, or non-binary people who are expressing masculine traits. As an example, an androsexual might be equally attracted to a cis gender man who embodies traditionally masculine characteristics as a non binary person with similar energy.
Androsexuality is unique in this way, in that while it differs from other orientations in that attraction need not be based on gender identity, it emphasizes that it can be based on masculinity alone.
Masculine Energy and Its Forms
Masculinity Beyond Biology
It is important to realize, however, that masculinity does not just have to do with biology, it also means behaviors, attitudes, how people present themselves. For androsexuals, traits like confidence, strength, or assertiveness – and even leadership – can be very, very attractive, whether they are embodied by men or not.
Cultural and Social Construct
Our consideration and presentation of masculinity are defined not only by cultural and social constructs, but also by these constructs themselves. Across societies, people label traits like courage, protection, and decisiveness as ‘masculine’ and regard them as central to androsexual attraction. An example is that something like a charismatic leader, or an already confident public figure could be very attractive to someone that says they are androsexual, not because they are queer but because they do have a very masculine aura.
Androsexuality in a Gender-Fluid World
Attraction in a Spectrum of Identities
Gender identity is fluid today, people live in this world and choose to express themselves in different ways. Androsexuality fits right in with this spectrum, because it still allows an attraction for something that’s inclusive of transgender men, non-binary people, and gender non-conforming people as long as they show the masculine traits.
Representation in Media and Society
Representation of androsexuality is rare in mainstream media, and, when present, is most commonly overshadowed by more ubiquitous representations of gender and sexual orientation. But not all characters and real life people are androsexual people are resonating to because of their gender, but the masculine energy they are projecting. Imagine someone like John Wick (played by Keanu Reeves), the hyper masculine characters of RuPaul’s Drag Race, or just characters in general that are very androsexual.
Androsexual Attraction: Psychological and Emotional Aspect
The Role of Masculine Energy in Attraction
Masculine Energy in Attraction Basically, androsexuality is based on attraction to masculine qualities. It can bring these feelings of security, admiration and inspiration. Androsexual people might find themselves attracted to traits such as decisiveness, closeness or a literal sense of protection, or emotional strength — these traits often satisfy deep psychological and emotional needs.
The Intersection with Gender Identity
Sometimes finding a designation to call ourselves, like androsexual, can be hard because we live in relation to our own gender identity and our own understanding of what lust may be. Some people will embrace the term, while others may feel puzzled by societal labels that seem too rigid.
This puts androsexual meaning into a more personal and nuanced shape in which it informs the way one relates to relationships and to self.
Androsexual vs Gynosexual
Additionally, Androsexual vs Gynosexual attraction very often includes different psychological desires. Androsexual people might express interest in strength and assertiveness, whereas gynosexual people tend to be attracted to nurturing or empathetic qualities that people usually associate with femininity.
Androsexuality Relationship Dynamics
Relationships: Power and Their Balance
In relationships there are dynamics that come with attraction to masculinity that can be characterised by power, protection and mutual respect. Whatever form an androsexual’s romantic arrangements may take — from a monogamous relationship to a polyamorous one or an open relationship — the way it will influence an androsexual’s romantic life and androsexual’s romantic arrangements is dependent on whether of not the masculine traits involved are present.
Challenges Faced by Androsexuality People
Although society now more broadly accepts orientations beyond heterosexuality, people may still misunderstand or discriminate against androsexuals due to the lack of recognition of the orientation itself. It’s also more difficult to come out as androsexual, since it’s a somewhat vague term in comparison to, for example, androsexual vs gynosexual, which is the less masculine vs feminine trait.
Celebrating Androsexuality
Visibility and Acceptance
It is important to see androsexuality as a form of visibility that fosters acceptance and understanding. Acknowledging and celebrating this orientation allows us to actually validate this, to value and acknowledge, androsexual individuals’ experiences. From the representation in media, from the discussions in our communities, or in the different educational platforms, this visibility can push inclusivity within the broader LGBTQ+ community.
Resources for Androsexuality Individuals
Androsexuals can find counselling, support groups and educational materials invaluable. If there are books or online platforms or media that will discuss your orientation, then it will be easier for you to navigate your way with more confidence and awareness.
Conclusion
Attraction is one thing, but androsexuality is more! it’s the celebration of masculine energy in all its many different forms. Seeing the orientation that we’re enabling opens up a more fluid understanding of attraction that doesn’t rely on these labels of orientation and desires things that are more complex than words.
Are you androsexual, wondering about androsexual meaning, or just curious about exploring not only part of attraction, but a unique aspect of connection beyond gender? If so, learning more about androsexual can enhance your understanding of what that means when you’re building a connection with another human being. Let’s ensure we continue to embrace inclusivity, recognize differences and together develop a world free from fear of expressing who you love authentically and freely.