Sexuality is complex. The more we talk and learn about attraction, the more we understand the many ways it can manifest. Commonly-used terms like homosexuality, bisexuality, and heterosexuality are only part of a much broader picture—these terms don’t accurately describe the many nuances people feel in their own experience of attraction. In this piece, we’re focusing on gynesexuality (sometimes spelled gynosexuality). The term describes an attraction to femininity, regardless of what gender you are.
It’s important for us to continue evolving our understanding of human sexuality. In the past, people believed sexuality was fixed—meaning it was seen as something rigid and unchanging. But sexuality can be fluid and evolved over time, and there’s research to back it up. The World Health Organization states that “sexuality is influenced by the interaction of biological, psychological, social, economic, political, cultural, legal, historical, religious and spiritual factors.” Understanding this is key to LGBTQ+ inclusion and the general advancement of human rights across the world. We’ve covered many inclusive sexuality terms in our glossary.
What does it mean to be gynesexual, then? We’ll explore gynesexuality throughout this blog.
What is gynesexuality?
If someone identifies as gynesexual, it means they’re attracted to feminine traits in another person. A gynesexual person can be any gender, and while gynesexuals are often attracted to those who identify as women, they can be attracted to people of other genders too, if those people display feminine traits.
Gynesexuality can be experienced by people who are cis, trans, nonbinary, or any other gender, and gynesexual people can be attracted to people of any gender. This is a big difference between gynesexuality as a descriptor, and other terms like homosexuality or bisexuality. With those terms, gender is implied in the meaning: homosexuality means attraction to people with the same gender as you, while bisexuality is attraction to two or more genders. Gynesexuality can be experienced by any and all genders, and may feel like a more accurate descriptor for some nonbinary people who are attracted to people with feminine traits (including, but not exclusively, cis and trans women). That’s not to say nonbinary people can’t also be lesbians—they definitely can!
Gynesexuality vs. gynephilia
You might also have heard the word gynephilia, which has a similar meaning to gynesexual—an attraction to female-presenting people. So, you might be wondering, what is the difference between gynesexual and gynephilia?
Both words refer to an attraction to female-presenting people, and can be used by people of any gender. But gynephilia is considered by some to be outdated, as its definition was narrower. Historically, gynephilia referred to a sexual attraction to cisgender adult women, as it was coined as the opposite term to androsexual, which means a sexual attraction to adult men. The latter term was used by Magnus Hirschfield in the early 20th century to describe gay men.
Opinions on the word vary. On one Reddit discussion about the use of the word gynephilia, one user said the suffix “philia” made them think of words describing illegal and unpleasant sexual preferences. On another thread, someone pointed out that a common transphobic trope is that trans women are “autogynephilic,” meaning they are aroused by looking feminine themselves. This is, of course, a wilful and prejudiced misunderstanding of what it is to be trans.
Given the negative connotations some people in the LGBTQ+ community have around the word gynephilia, gynesexual is generally considered a more modern, inclusive term.
Understanding attraction to femininity
Attraction to femininity is central to gynesexuality, but femininity itself is a broad concept that’s influenced by cultural and individual perspectives. Some gynesexuals are attracted to cisgender women, while for others, someone’s gender, or having a stereotypically female body, may not be central to their attraction. Femininity can be expressed by all genders through physical traits such as long hair, soft features, or a particular style of dress. For others, it might encompass behaviors and attitudes.
Cultural influences can shape what’s perceived as feminine, too. In some societies, femininity may be closely tied to traditional gender roles, while in others, it is more fluid. For example, in many indigenous cultures, there are third and fourth genders that encompass both masculine and feminine traits. Many indigenous cultures don’t link gender and sex the same way as Western society, and distinct genders exist beyond male and female. Two-Spirit, for example, is a term originating in Native American culture, that’s now included under the LGBTQ+ umbrella, and is considered a distinct gender expression, with Two-Spirit people displaying elements of masculine and feminine behavior. In Samoa, Fa'afafine are people born male, but raised to embody traditionally feminine traits.
Importantly, femininity is not exclusive to those who identify as women. People of any gender can exhibit feminine traits, whether through their appearance, mannerisms, or energy.
How does gynesexuality fit within the LGBTQ+ spectrum?
Gynesexuality falls under the wider LGBTQ+ spectrum, as it centers on an attraction to femininity rather than to a specific gender. As we’ve explored throughout this piece, femininity comes in many forms, and in the case of gynesexuality, this doesn’t mean someone is solely attracted to those born female. In that respect, it’s a broader term than lesbian or bisexual, as anyone of any gender can be gynesexual, and the attraction focuses on feminine traits rather than the sex or gender or the person they’re attracted to.
Some people may be attracted only to a particular gender, but for others whose attraction feels more fluid, terms like gynesexuality can feel like a better fit. Including these terms under the LGBTQ+ umbrella expands our understanding of human sexuality. Gender and sexuality is a much broader field than the traditional, binary approach and its language allows room for, so expanding the LGBTQ+ lexicon is vital to normalize diverse experiences and give people the words and descriptors that feel right to them
How to support gynesexual folk
Being an ally to gynesexual individuals involves respect, curiosity, and a willingness to challenge assumptions. Here are some practical steps to offer support:
- Use inclusive language: Honor individuals’ chosen labels and pronouns. If someone identifies as gynesexual, respect their use of the term and avoid conflating it with other sexual orientations unless they make that connection themselves.
- Learn about different sexualities: Learn about gynesexuality and related terms through trusted resources like Stonewall, PLFAG, or academic studies on sexuality and gender diversity (the Kinsey Institute is a good place to start understanding the spectrum, but many more studies on specific elements of sexuality exist).
- Challenge stereotypes: Push back against narrow definitions of femininity and attraction. Recognize that femininity is a spectrum and that gynesexual individuals may be attracted to a variety of traits that don’t fit conventional gender norms.
- Create inclusive spaces: Ensure people feel safe in discussing their identities, whether that’s in personal interactions or in broader social settings, by making your allyship clear.
- Be culturally sensitive: As we’ve explained, the Western understanding of femininity and sexuality is not the only one—bear this in mind when talking about gender and sexuality.
Feeld’s glossary also has an ever-growing catalog list of terms related to sexuality.
As we continue to evolve our understanding of human sexuality, the words we use are vitally important to accurately capture people’s experiences and evolve our knowledge beyond the idea of a gender binary.
Gynesexual people can be any gender, and the same is true of the people they’re attracted to. Femininity can be displayed by any gender, in a variety of ways, from appearance to personality, and can also vary across cultures. While not all people who are attracted to femininity will identify as gynesexual, some feel it’s the most accurate descriptor of themselves as it’s broader than other terms. Respecting people’s right to define their sexuality in the way that feels right for them is key.
Keen to learn more about the infinite world of human sexuality and attraction? Our Feeld guides are a great place to start!
