A sexual orientation that has gradually been gaining visibility online is ‘finsexual’, a term that you might not have come across before.
This term originated on Tumblr back in 2014 and refers to an exclusive attraction to individuals who exhibit feminine traits [FIN]. This encompasses those assigned female at birth (AFAB), those assigned male at birth (AMAB) presenting femininely, and even men with feminine qualities.
One Reddit user clarified: “Finsexual is the exclusive attraction to those who are feminine in nature. This means finsexual people are attracted to women, feminine-aligned non-binary people, and potentially feminine men. It is the attraction to femininity.”
The emphasis on attraction to presentation rather than a specific gender can be confusing for some.
On Facebook, someone questioned: “Y’all starting to confuse me now. ‘Finsexual’ being attracted to feminine traits… doesn’t that just make you straight if you’re a dude? Or lesbian if you’re a chick? Isn’t a trans woman just a woman? [What] does this even mean, y’all?”
To explain finsexuality, one individual responded: “I’m attracted to FIN individuals but have a preference for those with female genitalia… I am still attracted to people who are FIN and have male genitalia, just stating this in case anyone missed the keyword ‘preference’.”
This explanation highlights how personal preferences can coexist with a central attraction to femininity.
Finsexual often overlaps with other terms like gynesexual, and many people use them interchangeably. However, some insist that finsexual is a specific label focused on FIN.
There are now variations of the finsexual orientation, such as ‘finromantic’ for romantic attraction and ‘finflexible’ for those whose attraction is predominantly towards femininity but occasionally more inclusive. The counterpart ‘minsexual’ is for individuals attracted to masculinity.
Symbols and flags have been created, typically featuring pink tones to represent femininity, though the significance can differ among creators. The term is especially popular in non-binary communities, but anyone resonating with its definition is welcome to adopt it.
Ultimately, whether you find the term helpful or not, the emergence of finsexual as an identity reflects a larger movement—people developing language that accurately represents their feelings rather than conforming to traditional categories.
If these topics resonate with you and you seek confidential support, you can reach out to the LGBT national hotline at 888-843-4564. They are available Monday to Friday from 4pm to 12am ET, and Saturdays from 12pm to 5pm ET.