Polysexual
Meaning
Polysexual is a sexual identity that involves attraction to multiple genders. It does not mean that a person is sexually attracted to all genders, such as “pansexuality”, but to several at once.
Bisexuality is a form of “polysexuality”, however it reinforces the idea that genders are binary. “Polysexuality” includes all genders, also non-binary ones.
“Polysexuality” is often confused with “polyamory”, where a person can be intimately and romantically attached to multiple people at once. It’s important to note that these are not the same.
Origin
Made up of the Greek prefix “poly-” meaning “many”, and sexuality.
The term first appeared between the 20’s and 30’s, but the orientation has been practiced for all of humanity.
Originally, the term was closely related to “polyamory”, in the way that a person is simultaneously sexually attracted to multiple partners, however “polyamory” does a good job in covering this topic as well. Therefore, “polysexuality” maintained the meaning it has today.
Spread and Usage
In 1974, an article was published by Noel Coppage in the magazine “Stereo Review”. In the article, Noel Coppage brings up “polysexuality”, and at the same time mentions asexuality, pansexuality and bisexuality, and how “polysexuality” stands out from the others.
He also mentions musician David Bowie, claiming that he is a “polysexual”.
The “polysexuality” pride flag is made up of three horisontal stripes, from top to bottom: pink, green and blue. Its creator was Tumblr user Samlin in 2012.
External References
- Cosmopolitan – Polysexual
- LGBTA Wiki – Polysexual