YUSU

Anthrosexuality is a sexual orientation where an individual's attraction to another person is not restricted by gender presentation or biological sex. An anthrosexual can experience sexual, romantic or aesthetic attraction for many or all forms of gender, biological sex and gender presentation.

An anthrosexual person might prefer to be referred to as omnisexual or pansexual.

That really depends on what you mean by bisexual. Traditionally, bisexuals are only attracted to cis-gendered men and women. However, many people who define as bisexual are attracted to a wider range of people, such as trans or intersex people. It is also true, but less common, that some self-defining bisexuals actually reject the gender binary and do not see people as being either male or female, but instead see male and female as part of a wider range of genders. This last form of bisexuality is very close to anthrosexuality, so long as the bisexual in question is both accepting of and attracted to more than just cis-gendered males and females.

A key aspect of anthrosexuality is the attraction to people who are not cis-gendered – i.e. people whose gender does not match completely with their birth sex, biological sex or physiological sex.

In short – they can be defined mean the same, but often there is a clear difference between bisexuals and anthrosexuals. Similarities often arise simply because some people don't know that there is a more precise word for their sexuality than 'bisexual'.

Anyone, really. The list of gender presentations, identities and combinations is almost endless.

No. The term ‘anthrosexual’ applies to the potential to be attracted to all people, including cis-gendered males and females. Many anthrosexuals reach the end of their life having only engaged in sexual activities and relationships with people who fit into this gender binary. However, a lack of action should not be taken as a negation of this sexuality. It is no more appropriate to consider an anthro. “bi” or “gay” simply because of their sexual or romantic history than it is to consider a homosexual virgin as straight or a heterosexual virgin as asexual.

The phrase ‘gender blind’ refers to someone who does not ‘see’ the gender of the people they encounter. For a gender blind person, the gender or sex of another person is absolutely irrelevant to any judgements or feelings about them. Some anthrosexuals classify themselves as gender blind, as the qualities that they find attractive in others do not include gender or sex. However, not all anthrosexuals identify with this: some have the potential to be actively attracted to all genders, rather than ignoring the gender of the people they encounter. This means an anthro. may find someone attractive because the combination of their presentation, physical attributes and gender identity is very appealing.

It differs from anthrosexual to anthrosexual, just like it differs between any other people. Some might prefer blondes, others might like a bit of muscle. Some actively seek out people who have a certain dress style or who like certain music while others take people on a person-by-person basis with no clear pattern. Being anthro. doesn't mean someone is 'easy' or not discerning in who they find attractive. It simply means that gender and gender presentation may not factor heavily into their sexual, romantic or aesthetic feelings about someone.

This question often comes up and it needs to be put to rest. Some anthrosexuals might also have zoophilic or paedophilic desires but this is not an inherent or necessary aspect of anthrosexuality.

Elanin Vince, former LGBT Officer