People are coming out as ‘Berrisexual’ – here’s what it means
Over the past year, the team at Newsner has spent time explaining a number of emerging identity terms such as “graysexual,” “demisexual,” and “almondsexual,” helping readers understand how people today describe their experiences of attraction and relationships.
Language is constantly evolving, and when it comes to identity and sexuality, new words often emerge as people search for ways to express feelings that may not have been clearly defined before.
For many readers, these conversations are both fascinating and a little overwhelming. It can sometimes feel as if new terms appear almost overnight, each offering a slightly different way of describing how people experience attraction.
While some people easily adapt to these changes, others find themselves confused by the growing number of labels and definitions.
Still, the reason these terms exist is relatively simple: people want language that reflects their experiences accurately.
For some individuals, older, broader categories might not fully capture the way they feel about attraction, relationships, or identity.
As a result, new words emerge within online communities and gradually spread across social media, forums, and discussion platforms.
One place where many of these discussions take shape is the popular online community Reddit, where users often share personal experiences and introduce new ways of describing identity.
In recent months, one term that has begun appearing more frequently in conversations there is “berrisexual.”
Because it’s still relatively unfamiliar to many people, readers have been asking what the term actually means and how it fits into the broader spectrum of sexual identities.
According to one definition shared on Urban Dictionary, a person who identifies as berrisexual may feel attraction toward women, feminine genders, and androgynous or nonbinary individuals, while experiencing attraction toward men or more traditionally masculine genders less often or less strongly.
In simpler terms, berrisexual individuals can feel attraction to people of any gender, but their attraction tends to lean more strongly toward women or feminine-presenting people.
Attraction toward men may still exist, but it is usually described as less frequent, less intense, or secondary compared with other forms of attraction.
For some people, this distinction may seem subtle. However, for those who identify with the term, the nuance can be meaningful.
Many individuals feel that broader labels—such as bisexual or pansexual—don’t always fully capture the specific patterns of attraction they experience.
Terms like berrisexual are sometimes referred to as “microlabels.” These are more detailed descriptors that exist within larger identity categories.
While they may apply to smaller groups of people, they can help individuals describe their experiences more precisely and feel more understood within communities that share similar perspectives.
On various online forums, some users have expressed relief after discovering the term.
One commenter wrote that many people simply aren’t aware that berrisexuality exists and that greater representation could help others realize they aren’t alone in feeling the way they do.
Another user explained that they previously struggled to choose a label that felt accurate, but finding this term helped them describe their identity more comfortably.
Contributors on the LGBTQIA+ Fandom Wiki have also described berrisexuality as a form of attraction that can include all genders, though with a clear preference pattern.
Meanwhile, the Queerdom Wiki notes that the identity is sometimes also referred to as “Laurian,” and may be viewed as closely related to identities like pansexuality or omnisexuality.
The main difference, according to these explanations, is that berrisexual individuals often experience a stronger or more frequent attraction toward women, feminine-presenting individuals, or androgynous people, while attraction toward men may occur more rarely or with less intensity.
Of course, not everyone feels the need to use highly specific labels to describe their identity.
Many people are comfortable with broader terms, while others prefer not to label their attraction at all. Identity is deeply personal, and different people approach it in different ways.
At the same time, discussions about these evolving terms highlight how language continues to adapt alongside cultural understanding.
For younger generations in particular, online communities have become spaces where people can explore identity, share experiences, and create vocabulary that reflects how they see themselves.
For some readers, these new labels may feel unfamiliar or even confusing at first. But for others, they can provide a sense of recognition and belonging that may have been missing before.
As conversations about identity continue to develop, terms like berrisexual demonstrate how people are still searching for ways to describe complex human experiences.
Whether someone chooses to use these labels or not, the growing discussion around them shows how language evolves as society continues to explore and understand the many ways people experience attraction.
Had you heard of the term “berrisexual” before? Feel free to share your thoughts and perspectives in the comments—many readers are curious to hear how others view these emerging identity terms.
The ’60s Icon Who Lost Love And Endured Tragedy: Her Photos At 86
Connie Francis stands as one of the most influential and successful female vocalists in American music history—a performer whose unmistakable voice helped define the sound of the late 1950s and early 1960s.
With timeless classics such as “Who’s Sorry Now?”, “Stupid Cupid,” “My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own,” and “Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool,” she became an international sensation, captivating audiences around the world with her emotional delivery and remarkable vocal versatility.
Behind the glamour, however, was a life marked by extraordinary triumphs, heartbreaking loss, and an unwavering determination to survive challenges that would have broken many others.
Born Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero, Connie showed musical talent from an early age. Recognizing her potential, her father became the driving force behind her career.
Fiercely ambitious and deeply determined to see his daughter succeed, he encouraged—and often pressured—her to perform from childhood.
Under his strict guidance, Connie appeared in talent competitions, television programs, and live performances while still very young.
Although his relentless efforts ultimately helped launch one of the most successful careers in popular music, they also created enormous emotional pressure.
Connie would later acknowledge that the discipline and expectations placed upon her during her formative years shaped both her incredible work ethic and many of the personal struggles she experienced later in life.
Her breakthrough arrived in 1958 with “Who’s Sorry Now?” At first, the song attracted little attention, but after legendary television host Dick Clark played it on American Bandstand, everything changed.
Almost overnight, Connie Francis became a household name.
The record climbed the charts not only in the United States but across Europe and beyond, transforming her into one of the world's first truly international female pop stars.
Over the following years, she dominated radio with a remarkable string of hit records, sold millions of albums, and performed in multiple languages, building an enormous global fan base that stretched far beyond English-speaking audiences.
While her professional life appeared glamorous, her personal life was often filled with heartbreak. One of the deepest emotional wounds came from her romance with fellow singer Bobby Darin.
Their relationship blossomed during the early years of their careers, and the pair reportedly envisioned a future together.
However, Connie's father strongly disapproved of the relationship and ultimately intervened, preventing the romance from continuing.
The separation devastated both young performers. Bobby Darin eventually moved on and married actress Sandra Dee, while Connie would later describe losing him as one of the greatest heartbreaks of her life.
Years afterward, she admitted that she often wondered how different her life might have been had they been allowed to remain together.
As the years passed, the tragedies continued to mount. In 1974, Connie became the victim of a horrific assault following a performance, an event that profoundly affected her emotionally and psychologically.
The traumatic experience left lasting scars and dramatically altered her confidence and sense of security.
Determined that others should not endure similar suffering without support, she later became an outspoken advocate for victims' rights, helping raise awareness about crime victims and encouraging improvements in victim assistance programs throughout the United States.
Not long afterward, another devastating blow struck when her beloved younger brother, George Franconero Jr., was murdered.
His death shattered the family and plunged Connie into overwhelming grief. Losing someone so close while still coping with previous trauma compounded her emotional struggles and made everyday life increasingly difficult.
The combination of public pressure, personal loss, and unresolved trauma gradually took a severe toll on her mental health.
During these painful years, Connie faced profound depression and experienced periods of emotional crisis.
She openly discussed her struggles with mental illness, including a suicide attempt, choosing to speak honestly about experiences that were rarely discussed publicly at the time.
Her willingness to share her story helped reduce stigma surrounding mental health and encouraged countless others to seek treatment and support. Rather than hiding her pain, Connie transformed it into a source of compassion for people facing similar battles.
As if those challenges were not enough, Connie also endured a devastating setback to the very gift that had made her famous—her voice.
Following nasal surgery intended to improve her breathing, complications temporarily robbed her of her ability to sing.
For an artist whose identity and livelihood depended upon her voice, the experience was emotionally crushing.
The fear that she might never perform again left her questioning whether her extraordinary career had reached its end.
Through months of rehabilitation, patience, and determination, she gradually regained her vocal abilities, demonstrating once again the remarkable resilience that had become a defining characteristic of her life.
Despite enduring repeated personal tragedies, Connie refused to let hardship define her legacy.
Throughout the years, she found strength in several enduring sources: her deep religious faith, the love she shared with her adopted son Joey, and the unwavering support of generations of devoted fans who continued to celebrate her music long after her chart-topping years had passed.
Their encouragement reminded her that her voice—and her story—continued to matter.
Professionally, Connie Francis achieved accomplishments that remain extraordinary by any standard.
She sold more than 80 million records worldwide, recorded songs in numerous languages, and became one of the first female solo artists to enjoy sustained international superstardom.
Her influence reached far beyond America, making her one of the most recognizable voices of her era.
Even decades after her biggest hits, her recordings continue to be rediscovered by new generations of listeners who appreciate the sincerity, warmth, and emotional depth she brought to every performance.
Today, at 87 years old, Connie Francis is remembered not only as a legendary singer but also as a symbol of perseverance.
Living a quiet life in Florida after retiring from the spotlight, she remains an enduring inspiration to fans around the world.
Her extraordinary journey serves as a reminder that fame does not shield anyone from heartbreak, loss, or personal struggle, but it also demonstrates the remarkable resilience of the human spirit.
Through unimaginable challenges, Connie continued to move forward with courage, dignity, and hope.
Her legacy extends far beyond the millions of records she sold or the timeless songs she recorded.
It lives on in her advocacy for victims' rights, her openness about mental health, and her willingness to transform personal pain into compassion for others.
Connie Francis is remembered not simply because she possessed one of the most recognizable voices of the twentieth century, but because she showed the world that true strength is measured not by the absence of suffering, but by the courage to keep singing after life has tested you again and again.
