Do You Only Want Sex Once There’s An Emotional Connection? This May Be Why

While assigning a label to sexuality may feel a bit arbitrary or like being trapped inside a box for some people, for others, these labels are very important. 

“For folks with marginalized identities, having a shared language can create a sense of community and safety in a world that is often unsupportive of diversity. Whereas straight, cis folks can move through the world feeling fairly certain that the majority of people they meet will share those identities, folks who have marginalized sexual identities cannot. Furthermore, these identities are often invisible, so appearance alone does not indicate whether or not an identity is shared,” Tanner tells mbg.

Labels also have the power to “give you more confidence in creating boundaries and expectations in your relationships that feel loving and supportive to you,” according to White.

And as you evolve and grow in your sexuality, it’s totally acceptable to explore new labels. “Stay open and honest with yourself, and utilize labels in service of confirming who you are as a sexual being in that moment,” White says.

If you realize that your sexual attraction for another human being is always rooted in a deep and meaningful emotional connection, you might be demisexual—but there’s no rush to fully adopt the label until you’re ready. Take your time and explore what feels right for you.