Requisexual

Requisexual, also spelled requiessexual, is a self-description within the asexual spectrum. It may be used by people who experience little to no sexual attraction, or perceive it only in a limited way, due to trauma, psychological distress, mental exhaustion, illness, or neurodivergent experiences. The term describes an individual experience of sexual attraction and is not a medical or psychological diagnosis.

It is important not to understand the term as meaning that trauma, mental illness, or neurodivergence are generally the cause of asexuality or low sexual attraction. Many asexual people are not asexual because of distressing experiences, and many traumatized, mentally ill, or neurodivergent people do experience sexual attraction. Requisexual is mainly intended for people who themselves perceive a connection between their experiences and their sexual attraction and want to name that connection.

The term does not replace therapeutic or medical support if someone is suffering from trauma, exhaustion, psychological symptoms, or distressing changes in sexuality. At the same time, no one should be pathologized or pressured to feel sexual attraction. Respectful use means taking a person’s self-description seriously and not requiring them to disclose personal distress in order to “prove” a label.