Expert explains what you should do if you are nebulasexual as more people come out
An expert has shared advice for people who believe they are nebulasexual, as more people identify with the term.
When it comes to a person's sexuality, there is no 'one size fits all' term.
In recent years, words such as graysexual, abrosexual and demisexual have been coined to help people explain identities which fall outside of the gay, bisexual, and straight spectrum. And this includes nebulasexuality.
Upon first hearing the phrase, you may associate nebulasexuality with an attraction which is more cosmic or out of this world; however, this is not the case at all.
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The term can be traced back to the blogging site Tumblr in 2014 and is used to explain a person who finds their sexuality vague or difficult to define.
A nebulasexual person believes they find it difficult to express these feelings due to neurodivergence or intrusive thoughts, urges and images. A Tumblr post on the topic also outlines that nebulasexuality is a 'locked orientation', which means it is only applicable to neurodivergent individuals.
The term falls under the broader term of quoisexuality, which is when a person is unsure they experience sexual attraction or not clear on what it is (as per Oxford University LBGTQ+ society).
Sexuality Wiki adds that quoisexual people can also struggle to differentiate between sexual and non-sexual attraction, as well as finding the concept of sexual attraction 'nonsensical'.
Advice for people who believe they may be nebulasexual
During a conversation with Metro about the term, psychosexual therapist Annabelle Knight said that communication and compassion are crucial to approaching nebulasexuality.
Sharing advice for nebulasexual people who may be interested in exploring attraction with a potential partner, she said: "Talk openly about what feels comfortable, and explore intimacy slowly, without forcing labels or expectations.
"It can also help to speak with professional who understands neurodiversity and can support you in understanding your boundaries and preferences."
Knight also explained that while the phrase nebulasexual itself is new, the feelings and experiences associated with it are not.
"For many neurodivergent people, processing emotions and sensations can feel different," she said.
"Social cues, bodily signals, or even the concept of attraction might not register in the same way as they do for neurotypical people, which can make it confusing to know whether you want someone sexually or are simply drawn to them in another way," Knight continued, adding that terms such as nebulasexuality allows people a greater understanding into how their mind works.
Topics: LGBTQ, Sex and Relationships
Brenna Cooper