Symbiosexuality is a term that has recently emerged in the growing list of sexual identities. While some may view it as another niche label, many feel it explains their unique experiences of attraction. Symbiosexuality focuses on the energy shared between people in a relationship, rather than being attracted to specific physical or personal traits. This shared energy is described as dynamic and meaningful, making it the center of desire for symbiosexual individuals.
Relational energy is key.
Symbiosexuals find attraction in the emotional and energetic bond between people rather than in the individuals themselves. Dr. Sally Johnston, a professor at Seattle University, explains that these individuals are drawn to the connection that forms between partners. “They are not necessarily attracted to the people but to the dynamic that emerges,” she says.
This approach challenges the traditional idea of attraction, which often revolves around physical appearance or emotional attachment to one person. Instead, symbiosexuality places the relationship itself as the source of desire.
Not limited to polyamory.
Although symbiosexuality might sound similar to polyamory, it isn’t limited to multi-partner relationships. Symbiosexual attraction can also happen in monogamous relationships. For some, it’s about admiring the close bond between others, while others may desire to be part of that shared connection.
Dr. Johnston highlights how this orientation broadens the way we understand desire. “The relationship becomes the object of attraction,” she says. This rethinking of desire focuses on the shared connection rather than individual characteristics.
Diverse experiences.
People from various backgrounds are identifying as symbiosexual, according to research. Dr. Johnston was surprised by the number of people relating to this concept, showing how it applies across different relationship types.
Symbiosexuality offers a new way of looking at attraction by putting the focus on the shared energy between partners. As society becomes more open to diverse orientations, symbiosexuality provides many with a term that resonates deeply with their experiences. For symbiosexuals, the relationship’s energy is far more compelling than any one person’s traits.
