Are You Gynesexual? Here’s What It Is & How To Tell

Sexuality is way more complicated than just straight, gay, and bisexual. There are myriad identities under the LGBTQIA+ umbrella, many of which aren’t talked about nearly enough. For instance, you may never have heard of gynesexuality, but you may have experienced it yourself. Here’s what it means to be gynosexual (or gynesexual, as it’s sometimes spelled) and everything you need to know about this identity.

What does it mean to be gynosexual?

Gynosexuality is defined as having a sexual attraction to the female anatomy—  breasts and vaginas in particular — as well as femininity and feminine characteristics. So, based on this definition alone, we could say that lesbians and straight men are gynosexual, right? Yes, but there’s more to the term than that.

The object of a gynosexual’s attraction doesn’t need to be female. Those who experience gynosexuality can be and often are attracted to people of all gender identities who have feminine characteristics, whether physical or behavioral. Someone who defines themselves as gynosexual could be attracted to transgender people who were born male and became female later in life. Or, they could be attracted to men who were born male and are still biologically male but have feminine qualities. In other words, there are many different ways in which gynosexuality can manifest.

More things to note about gynesexuality / gynosexuality

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  1. As a woman, you don’t have to be lesbian to be gynosexual. You can be gynosexual without being attracted to women or desiring to have relationships with women. For instance, you might find breasts insanely attractive but not want to be sexual with a woman who has them, and that’s fine. Maybe your attraction is sexual and that’s fine too. Another example is that you might enjoy female porn because of your attraction to female bodies without being lesbian or even bi-curious.
  2. It’s important not to buy into gender stereotypes. Things can get tricky when we start trying to define what it means to be “masculine” versus “feminine.” There are many different ways these qualities can play out and it’s important not to restrict them too much. If you’re gynosexual, you’re attracted to what’s feminine in a partner. That could mean different things to different people.
  3. The gynosexual label is way more inclusive. You have fewer limitations when it comes to your sexuality and also the sexuality of the person you’re attracted to. This explains why gynosexual terms can be so valuable to people who identify themselves as genderqueer. It’s a label that enables greater individuality to come to the surface.
  4. It proves how complex attraction can be. Defining yourself gives you the feeling of being part of a community when other labels don’t fit. We’re all part of a spectrum that’s not always clearly defined. You might live like a straight woman, choosing male partners. However, you might also find that femininity is a turn-on for you. Whether you act on it or not doesn’t matter. It’s just about being open to different ideas about attraction without putting yourself in a box.

Signs you may be gynosexual

While this sexuality asserts itself in many different ways, here are a few common signs it may apply to you.

  1. As a straight woman, effeminate men really turn you on. You’re not drawn to macho men or gym rats. You prefer men with fewer muscles and more feminine traits. Men who are soft-spoken and graceful are extremely hot in your book. In fact, many of the men you fall for are actually gay.
  2. You’re straight but are extremely drawn to hyperfeminine women. You’re not sexually attracted to other women and don’t identify as a lesbian. However, you could stare at beautiful women all day long. There’s something about them that’s so soft and beautiful. You can’t put your finger on it but you love it.
  3. You find long hair, breasts, and curves very visually appealing. In the same vein, you find yourself drawn to traditional traits of physical femininity. While all people are beautiful, even masculine-presenting women, you just love people whose physical bodies have these feminine characteristics.
  4. Masculine-presenting men aren’t attractive to you. You know you’re attracted to more effeminate men, but you’re also completely put off by extremely masculine men. Big muscles, deep voices, and male energy just don’t do anything for you.
  5. There’s something very soothing about higher-pitched voices and mannerisms. You can’t explain it, but you could listen to a feminine voice read the phonebook. It’s just that soothing to you.

Is there a gynosexual flag?

gynosexuality gynosexual flag

Yes! Like many other LGBTQIA+ identities, gynesexuality has its own flag. It consists of three horizontal stripes made up of the primary colors pink, brown, and green. The pink layer is taken from the trans flag and represents attraction go women, while the green is from the genderqueer flag and symbolizes attraction to femininity and feminine characteristics. The brown stripe in the middle illustrates stability and support, per Taimi.

Gynesexuality vs androsexuality

While some people may get the terms confused, they’re not the same thing. In fact, they’re polar opposites. Where gynesexuality is all about the appreciation of and attraction to the feminine, androsexuality describes the attraction to men and masculine people.

One similarity between these terms is that androsexuality also does not depend on gender. Anyone of any gender identity can experience it, and the object of attraction can also identify any number of ways.

Giulia Simolo is a writer from Johannesburg, South Africa with a degree in English Language and Literature. She has been working as a journalist for more than a decade, writing for sites including AskMen, Native Interiors, and Live Eco. You can find out more about her on Facebook and LinkedIn, or follow her on Twitter @GiuliaSimolo.