Experts have elaborated on the concept of ‘heteroflexible’ as this orientation has become the most rapidly expanding sexuality of 2025.
As individuals worldwide delve deeper into their sexualities and openly discuss their experiences, it has become increasingly evident that sexual orientation encompasses more than the traditional labels of gay, straight, or bisexual.
Previously, online communities have highlighted diverse orientations such as ‘demisexual’ and ‘abrosexual’. In 2025, there is a notable rise in the number of individuals identifying as ‘heteroflexible’.
This observation is a result of research conducted by the dating platform Feeld in its Feeld Raw 2025 report, which provides an in-depth analysis of the desires, identities, and connections that defined modern intimacy over the past year.
The report indicates a 193 percent increase in the number of people identifying as ‘heteroflexible’ over the past year, making it the fastest-growing sexual orientation on the app.
The term ‘heteroflexible’ generally refers to individuals who identify as straight but are open to same-sex encounters.
This identity can encompass a wide array of individuals, from those who are open to the possibility of same-sex experiences to those who are closer to identifying as bisexual.
For instance, a woman in a heterosexual relationship who is open to a same-sex experience, such as a threesome with another woman, might identify as heteroflexible.
Likewise, a woman who considers herself straight but is theoretically open to a same-sex experience without actively pursuing it might also be described as heteroflexible.
Dr. Luke Brunning, a Lecturer in Applied Ethics at the University of Leeds in the UK, noted that the emerging identities in the data reflect a growing recognition of the complexity of sexuality.
“If anything, it would be surprising if people were never sexually curious about people of their own sex or gender, or if attraction worked in neat and predictable ways,” he remarked in a Feeld press statement.
Feeld’s data analysis highlights Berlin, Germany, as the ‘most heteroflexible city’. Berlin also stands out as the city with the highest rate of open relationships.
Meanwhile, New York City in the United States experienced the most significant growth in its bisexual population, with an increase of 161 percent.
Dina Mohammad-Laity, Feeld’s VP of Data, stated: “Thanks to our incredible community, Feeld has a depth and diversity of data like no other. Feeld Raw offers a unique look at how intimacy and identity are evolving… We’re seeing a surge in people exploring connection and playfulness in authentic, fluid ways, redefining what it means to be seen and to connect in 2025.”