I first came across the term late one quiet night, scrolling through a queer forum while the rest of the house slept.
At first, I dismissed it as another fleeting label—one of the countless new words that circulate online. But something about it felt different, as if it was giving a name to a sensation I had carried for years without language.
Curiosity mixed with a subtle unease: was this just another trend, or had I stumbled on a word that could finally capture an experience no one else seemed to articulate?
Queer communities online constantly generate new terms to reflect the diversity of attraction and identity. Discovering a label that resonates can feel like finding a missing piece of a puzzle—an acknowledgment of feelings often left unspoken.
One term gaining attention is berris*xual, a descriptor for people whose patterns of attraction don’t fully fit into conventional categories.
What Berris*xual Means
Berris*xual generally describes someone attracted to all genders, but with a recognizable pattern: attraction to women and feminine-presenting or nonbinary/androgynous people is dominant, while attraction to men or masculine-presenting individuals is rarer or secondary.
Some definitions describe berris*xuality as being “primarily drawn to women and feminine or nonbinary genders, but occasionally attracted to men and masculine genders.” On platforms like Tumblr, users echo this pattern, emphasizing that attraction to men exists but is limited compared to other genders. Resources such as Queerdom Wiki (where the term may also be called Laurian) note that berris*xuality overlaps with pans*xuality or omnis*xuality in openness to all genders, but the distinction lies in the weighted pattern of attraction.
Why It Resonates
Online, berris*xual has inspired curiosity, humor, and pride. Reddit discussions range from playful debates about a “berris*xual flag as a person” to thoughtful reflections about the label’s personal significance.
For some, traditional labels like bi, pan, or omnis*xual feel too broad. One redditor explained that berris*xual “finally fit,” allowing them to articulate their attraction without constantly second-guessing their identity. While some continue to use broader terms publicly, berris*xual provides a private space for clarity and self-recognition.
Community and Identity
Questions often arise about the label’s boundaries—does identifying as berris*xual exclude men? The consensus is clear: it does not. The term simply describes a pattern of attraction, not a restriction. For many, micro-labels like berris*xual provide nuance, validating experiences that broader categories might overlook. They also offer a way to connect with others who share similar attraction patterns, building community and recognition.
Even as berris*xual remains a niche identity, it highlights a larger truth about queer experience: attraction is complex, fluid, and deserving of precise language. Labels like this allow individuals to name their experiences, seek community, and feel acknowledged in ways that broader terms sometimes cannot.
Conclusion
Berris*xuality may occupy a small corner of the LGBTQ+ spectrum today, but it reflects a broader movement toward recognizing the intricate realities of attraction. By offering specificity, such labels empower people to express themselves authentically, cultivate support networks, and build inclusive communities.
Identity is rarely simple or fixed—attraction is layered, dynamic, and deeply personal. Terms like berris*xual help ensure that more people can feel seen, understood, and validated in a world that too often demands oversimplification.