The Rigid Lines of Sexuality Are Blurring Faster Than Ever
If you've ever felt that traditional labels for sexuality and relationships don't quite fit, you're far from alone. According to the latest "Feeld Raw 2025" report from the dating app Feeld, a platform known for attracting the curious, we are in the midst of a significant cultural shift towards more fluid and expansive understandings of identity and desire.
The data, gathered from its global user base, paints a vivid picture of a world where experimentation is becoming the norm and once-taboo topics are now mainstream interests. For the LGBTQ+ community, these trends are a powerful affirmation of what we've known all along: human connection is far too complex for simple boxes.
The Rise of the 'Flexibles'
One of the most striking findings is the explosion of the term 'heteroflexible', which saw a staggering 193% increase in use on the app. This makes it the fastest-growing sexuality on Feeld, with many users shifting between identifying as straight and heteroflexible. While Millennials are currently leading this trend, Gen Z is quickly catching up.
This suggests a growing comfort with acknowledging same-sex attraction without necessarily abandoning a heterosexual identity, moving beyond the strict binary. As Dr. Luke Brunning, a lecturer in Applied Ethics who analyzed the data, notes, "These changes speak to the growing awareness that sexuality is complex... it would be surprising if people were never sexually curious about people of their own sex or gender."
The "heteroflexible" label facilitates a cognitive shift wherein heterosexuality is no longer viewed as a rigid, exclusive category. Instead, individuals construct heterosexuality as an "elastic category" that is compatible with having and enacting same-sex desires. By adopting this label, individuals assert that their primary sexual orientation remains straight, viewing same-sex encounters as exceptions that do not fundamentally alter their core identity. This allows them to validate their experiences without feeling compelled to adopt a queer identity, effectively expanding the boundaries of what it means to be straight.
Kink and Pleasure Positivity Go Mainstream
The report also highlights a major shift in conversations around pleasure and intimacy, particularly when it comes to breaking down traditional gender roles in the bedroom. Key findings include:
- Pegging Power: Interest in pegging among cisgender men skyrocketed by 200%. This signals a welcome move towards de-stigmatizing receptive pleasure for men and broadening definitions of masculinity.
- Toy Story: The general interest in 'Toys' grew by an incredible 400%, landing it in the top three growing desires among all members. It seems more people are realizing that accessories can enhance intimacy for everyone involved.
These statistics show a clear trend towards embracing pleasure for its own sake, free from outdated norms about who is supposed to do what.
A Queer Map of the World
Feeld's data also gives us a playful glimpse into the sexual geography of its users. While Dutch cities didn't make the list this year, our neighbours in Berlin are certainly leading the charge in progressive dating:
- Most Heteroflexible City: Berlin, Germany
- Highest Percentage of Open Relationships: Berlin, Germany
- Pegging Capital: Miami, USA
- Cuddling Capital: Mumbai, India
- Top Cities for Sub/Dom Dynamics: Portland & Seattle, USA
The trends in a major European hub like Berlin often reflect a broader cultural shift, suggesting that these conversations around open relationships and fluid identities are very much alive and well across the continent.
A Future of Authentic Connection
"We’re seeing a surge in people exploring connection and playfulness in authentic, fluid ways," said Dina Mohammad-Laity, Feeld’s VP of Data. The report makes it clear that the future of dating and relationships is less about conforming to expectations and more about discovering what truly makes us feel connected and alive. For the queer community, this isn't just a trend—it's a welcome sign that the rest of the world is finally starting to catch up.
