G&STC Director Jesse Kahn Talks With Shape About What the Term Skoliosexual Means

CHECK OUT G&STC’S DIRECTOR JESSE KAHN TALKING WITH ALEX SHEA AT SHAPE ON what THE TERM SKOLIOSEXUAL means

What does skoliosexual mean?

The dictionary.com definition of skoliosexual says it's the attraction to anyone who identifies as a nonbinary gender. FYI, the gender binary refers to the labeling of people as either male or female. Any gender outside of the gender binary — anything other than male or female or a blend of the classic genders of male and female — refers to a nonbinary gender.

Changing cultural awareness around gender

"The creation of the term, I think, signals the cultural awareness and relevance of gender variance, gender fluidity, and trans and nonbinary people," says Jesse Kahn, L.C.S.W., director and sex therapist at The Gender & Sexuality Therapy Center in NYC.

Make time to reflect

"If you're a cisgender person identifying as or questioning if you identity as skoliosexual, it could be worth exploring: how you came to that awareness and identity, what it means to you, what attracts you to nonbinary and trans people, the cultural relevance and impact of that identity, what the nonbinary and trans folks in your life say about that identity, and if you think and feel like you're fetishizing," says Kahn.