Skoliosexual Definition: Understanding this Obsolete LGBTQ+ Term

What is Skoliosexual?

Today, let’s talk about a word you may have come across but which is less and less used: ‘skoliosexual’.

What is the original definition of skoliosexual?

For a time, this term was used to describe attraction to non-binary people, i.e., people whose gender identity corresponds to neither ‘man’ nor ‘woman’. The intention was to create a specific word for this attraction, which started from a good idea: to recognize and name experiences that fall outside the heterosexual or homosexual framework.

Why is the term skoliosexual controversial?

However, the word ‘skoliosexual’ ended up being criticized and abandoned by many people within the LGBTQ+ community. Why? The prefix ‘skolio-’ comes from Greek and means ‘twisted’ or ‘bent’. Ouch. Do you see the problem? Associating attraction to non-binary people with something ‘twisted’ is quite awkward and can be hurtful. It can give the impression that this attraction, or non-binary people themselves, are abnormal or deviant.

What term replaces skoliosexual?

Faced with these criticisms, the community sought and adopted another, much more positive term: ‘ceterosexual’. This word was specifically created to talk about attraction to non-binary people without any negative connotation.

Is the word skoliosexual still used today?

UPDATE: if you come across the word ‘skoliosexual’ online, know that it is considered obsolete and potentially offensive. This is a good example of how language evolves. The community learns, adapts, and finds better ways to describe itself. It’s a constant process to find words that make us feel good, respected, and understood.