Curious about object sexuality?
There’s a reason you don’t hear too much about object fetishism in your dating adventures. People who experience objectophilia, or attraction to architectural structures, vehicles, walls, and other inanimate objects, aren’t looking to date anyone—they date roller coasters, vacuum cleaners, and museum doors.
What is Objectophila?
Objectophilia, also known as Objectum Sexuality (OS) is an orientation defined by one’s sexual attraction to inanimate objects.
Some psychologists and doctors, along with objectophiles, view objectum sexuality as an orientation rather than a fetish or kink. Many folks who are attracted to transport trucks or lamps say they understood even as children that their orientation was towards objects.
Most objectophiles also reject the idea that they are kinky—they aren’t just sexually turned on by forklifts or roads, but also feel an emotional connection to them. Many are in long-term relationships or even marriages with their object of desire.
Read: Car Fetishes and Kinks: Mechanophilia and More
How Does Objectum Sexuality Manifest?
Just as many of us find ourselves drawn to certain aspects of a person’s appearance when seeking a partner, Objectum Sexuals are captivated by the physical attributes of the objects they desire.
Many OS individuals consider themselves to be “animists.” As such they believe that objects possess a living energy and that they are capable of reciprocating love. For many Objectum Sexuals, the relationship they form with their object(s) of choice is far deeper than purely sexual. They feel a true sense of love and appreciation that goes well beyond the physical.
Contrary to mainstream media depictions, OS is rarely practiced in public settings. While major landmarks (such as the Eiffel Tower) are beloved by many in the OS community, most of them believe as many of us do that sexual intimacy is a private act. The use of scale models is a preferred method for maintaining emotional and physical contact with such public objects.
Read: Object Insertion Kink and Penetration Fetish
It was also once believed that only women identified as OS, but men have recently come forward to claim their place in the community.
What Causes Objectophilia?
An objectophile doesn’t need another person with which to explore their fetish or kink. The fetish becomes the object, replacing human connection completely.
This has led to lots of speculation that objectophiles have a pathology, a deep emotional disturbance, a hatred for being human, or even that they are sociopaths. The fact that the partner or sex object is not making any emotional demands, doesn’t have any sexual needs or other needs, can be seen as a kind of pathological narcissism or selfishness.
However, advocates and allies for neurodiverse individuals—people with autism—have put their two cents into the discussion.
Many objectophiles are on the autism spectrum. In the same way that folks on the spectrum may be more at ease with numbers, objects, mechanics, and have difficulty reading emotional and human communication, their experience of sexual desire and romantic attraction is also different from people who aren’t on the spectrum.
There is little research to explain the reasons behind the development of objectophilia. But some studies have shown that objectum sexuality can provide a sexual outlet when physical contact with another person feels completely overwhelming and unnatural.
Read: How to Know if Your Fetish Is Unhealthy
Objectophilia Cases
While other kinky folks and fetishists may derive great emotional pleasure and satisfaction from their sexual turn-ons, it tends to involve the pleasure or the journey of exploration or sharing a kink with a partner.
Observing stories from objectophiles, it’s easy to see that the parallels are more towards the human relationship than the object one. They speak of being faithful or having feelings towards multiple objects at the same time, of serial monogamy, of breaking up, or of falling in love at first sight.
Read: Beyond Human: Fetish Outside the Human Paradigm
For example, a woman who was going out with a calculator admits she is tempted by iPods and treadmills. Ultimately, though, she was most attracted to Tetris, the game, and plans to marry it.
Another woman has been in love with a train station for three decades, and other objects that attract her are just fleeting. (Objectophiles report great sexual and relationship satisfaction.)
One man’s experience began in adolescence. He describes falling head over heels in love with a Hammond organ, and described the relationship as emotionally complex. He is turned on by the mechanical workings of objects such as radiators and musical instruments.
Certainly such stories make for attention grabbing tabloid headlines: “I Married a Pizza!” The details titillate, or make us titter, depending. But contemplating these love stories explores the mysteries of human sexuality and the mind.
Read: Agalmatophilia: Statue, Doll, and Mannequin Fetishes
Are you an object sexual? Have you ever felt sexually attraction to an object?
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