The trend is strongest among Millennials, who make up the majority of heteroflexible users on the app. Gen Z follows closely, but interest isn’t limited to younger generations. A noticeable portion of Gen X users are also adopting the label, suggesting curiosity and openness aren’t bound by age.
Curiosity Over Certainty
Dr. Luke Brunning, a philosophy lecturer who collaborated on the research, says the rise of heteroflexibility reflects a growing comfort with exploration rather than fixed definitions.
For some, the label accurately describes how they experience attraction. For others, it represents openness—a willingness to explore feelings without pressure to commit to a permanent identity. In that sense, heteroflexibility isn’t always about past behavior, but future possibility.
Why the Term Is Controversial
Not everyone welcomes the trend. Critics argue that heteroflexibility can blur lines in ways that make bisexual identities less visible. Some believe the label allows people to distance themselves from bisexuality while still engaging in similar experiences, which they feel contributes to ongoing misunderstandings.
Concerns around “bi-erasure” and “bi-invisibility” have surfaced, with some voices within the LGBTQ+ community expressing frustration that newer labels may unintentionally minimize long-established identities.
A Different Perspective
Supporters of the term see it differently. They argue that heteroflexibility gives people language that fits their lived experience—without forcing them into categories that feel inaccurate.
Some describe labels as flexible tools rather than fixed definitions, emphasizing that identity can evolve over time. From this perspective, heteroflexibility isn’t replacing other identities—it’s expanding the vocabulary people use to understand themselves.
A Reflection of a Changing Culture
Whether embraced or debated, the rise of heteroflexibility points to something larger: a cultural shift toward nuance, openness, and self-definition. As conversations around identity continue to evolve, more people are choosing language that reflects where they are now, not where they’re expected to land.
What do you think?
Are new identity labels empowering, confusing, or simply a natural part of social change? Share your thoughts in the comments—and pass this along to keep the conversation going.