Experts Warn Of Rising Greysexual Identification Among Young People

Experts are voicing concern over a growing number of young people identifying as “greysexual” a term describing those who experience sexual attraction infrequently, only under specific circumstances, or at a lower intensity than most.

The label, sometimes referred to as “grey-A,” first emerged in 2006 on the Asexual Visibility and Education Network to describe the “grey area” between complete asexuality and regular sexual attraction. It encompasses a spectrum of identities, including demisexuality, where attraction occurs only after a strong emotional connection. The term gained broader public attention last year when singer Tulisa Contostavlos disclosed on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! that she is demisexual.

Online interest in greysexuality has been growing, with the Reddit community r/Greysexuality attracting over 8,300 active members, according to MailOnline. Content creators such as YouTuber and podcaster Mark (@notdefining) have described the identity as “feeling a bit of sexual attraction, but to a low degree.” Mark said the term has been “immensely helpful” in explaining that while he experiences and enjoys sex, it happens less frequently or less intensely compared to the general population.

The rise of greysexual identification comes amid a wider “sex recession,” where research shows millennials and Gen Z are reporting fewer sexual partners and less frequent sexual activity than earlier generations at the same age. Experts attribute this not simply to disinterest but to factors such as anxiety, miseducation, online pornography, body image pressures amplified by social media, and political tensions over sexual rights.

US journalist Carter Sherman, who interviewed over 100 young people for her book The Second Coming, found many were hindered by a climate of “fear and shame” surrounding sex, shaped by cultural, digital, and political influences.

While some specialists caution that platforms like TikTok and Reddit may be accelerating the spread of niche identity labels and overcomplicating perceptions of sexuality, others argue these terms offer valuable language and community for individuals who might otherwise struggle to articulate their experiences.