Now more than ever, more people are coming out as 'symbiosexual' - and we're not surprised.

Sexuality is a complex aspect of human identity, influenced by a wide range of biological, psychological, social, and cultural factors. Credit: Igor Ustynskyy / Getty

Sexuality is a complex aspect of human identity, influenced by a wide range of biological, psychological, social, and cultural factors.

It is not simply about sexual orientation or behavior but encompasses desires, attractions, emotional connections, and personal experiences that can change over time.

People's understanding of their own sexuality can be fluid and influenced by their environment, upbringing, societal norms, and individual life experiences.

Cultural expectations, religious beliefs, and social pressures can further complicate one's expression of sexuality, often leading to inner conflicts or confusion.

Cue symbiosexualism.

Love triangles have been a staple part of narratives throughout storytelling history, but scientists now believe that this has influenced an entirely new sexuality.

A new study by researchers at Seattle University has identified that 'symbiosexual' people are attracted to the energy between established couples rather than between themselves and one other person, bringing a whole new meaning to the more, the merrier.

Symbiosexualism is a newly researched sexuality type. Credit: Maskot / Getty

This type of sexuality is described as "attraction to the energy, multidimensionality, and power shared between people in relationships," as per a definition provided by the Archives of Sexual Behavior when discussing a previous 2023 study titled 'The Pleasure Study.'  

The study, which surveyed 373 participants about aspects of their sexual and gender identity, also found that a large portion of participants in the study actually felt romantic and sexual attraction to the "synergy" of a third person being thrown into the mix.

And in a world filled with open relationships and sexual freedom, we're not surprised.

Credit: Visoot Uthairam / Getty

Speaking of the outcome, Dr. Sally Johnston, an adjunct professor of anthropology and sociology who conducted the study, said: "We need to rethink the nature of human attraction and desire as only one-to-one experiences."

Further research into the topic found that there was a "lack of recognition and validation for this attraction," even within the polyamorous community and this often led to the mistreatment of the third person within the relationship.

The findings of the studies mentioned above allegedly "push the boundaries of the concepts of desire and sexual orientation in sexuality studies and challenge the ongoing invisibility and invalidation of and stigma and discrimination against such attractions," according to Dr. Johnson.

In an interview with the PsyPost, the researcher revealed that she was first interested in delving more into the unique sexuality after "[hearing] people talk openly about experiencing attraction to established couples."

"I wanted to learn more about this understudied attraction," she added.

Credit: Klaus Vedfelt / Getty

After conducting the study, participants were interviewed to get a better understanding of why this sexuality was the best to describe what they were attracted to.

One participant, referred to as 'Hayden', said she was attracted to couples because of "their cohesiveness."

"You feed off their energy, their attraction to each other… there's an interplay between the couple," she added.

Another participant, called 'Sage', also added: "I also just want to be smack in the middle of that relationship. I would also like to be included in this relationship ... I really think my ideal dynamic might be myself and a couple. "

While there is not much research out there about this particular desire currently, we're sure there will be much more over the next decade as sexuality continues to broaden.

Featured Image Credit: Vladimir Vladimirov / Getty

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September 21, 24

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People are now coming out as 'symbiosexual' - here's what it means

By Nasima Khatun 

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Now more than ever, more people are coming out as 'symbiosexual' - and we're not surprised.

Sexuality is a complex aspect of human identity, influenced by a wide range of biological, psychological, social, and cultural factors. Credit: Igor Ustynskyy / Getty

Sexuality is a complex aspect of human identity, influenced by a wide range of biological, psychological, social, and cultural factors.

It is not simply about sexual orientation or behavior but encompasses desires, attractions, emotional connections, and personal experiences that can change over time.

People's understanding of their own sexuality can be fluid and influenced by their environment, upbringing, societal norms, and individual life experiences.

Cultural expectations, religious beliefs, and social pressures can further complicate one's expression of sexuality, often leading to inner conflicts or confusion.

Cue symbiosexualism.

Love triangles have been a staple part of narratives throughout storytelling history, but scientists now believe that this has influenced an entirely new sexuality.

A new study by researchers at Seattle University has identified that 'symbiosexual' people are attracted to the energy between established couples rather than between themselves and one other person, bringing a whole new meaning to the more, the merrier.

Symbiosexualism is a newly researched sexuality type. Credit: Maskot / Getty

This type of sexuality is described as "attraction to the energy, multidimensionality, and power shared between people in relationships," as per a definition provided by the Archives of Sexual Behavior when discussing a previous 2023 study titled 'The Pleasure Study.'  

The study, which surveyed 373 participants about aspects of their sexual and gender identity, also found that a large portion of participants in the study actually felt romantic and sexual attraction to the "synergy" of a third person being thrown into the mix.

And in a world filled with open relationships and sexual freedom, we're not surprised.

Credit: Visoot Uthairam / Getty

Speaking of the outcome, Dr. Sally Johnston, an adjunct professor of anthropology and sociology who conducted the study, said: "We need to rethink the nature of human attraction and desire as only one-to-one experiences."

Further research into the topic found that there was a "lack of recognition and validation for this attraction," even within the polyamorous community and this often led to the mistreatment of the third person within the relationship.

The findings of the studies mentioned above allegedly "push the boundaries of the concepts of desire and sexual orientation in sexuality studies and challenge the ongoing invisibility and invalidation of and stigma and discrimination against such attractions," according to Dr. Johnson.

In an interview with the PsyPost, the researcher revealed that she was first interested in delving more into the unique sexuality after "[hearing] people talk openly about experiencing attraction to established couples."

"I wanted to learn more about this understudied attraction," she added.

Credit: Klaus Vedfelt / Getty

After conducting the study, participants were interviewed to get a better understanding of why this sexuality was the best to describe what they were attracted to.

One participant, referred to as 'Hayden', said she was attracted to couples because of "their cohesiveness."

"You feed off their energy, their attraction to each other… there's an interplay between the couple," she added.

Another participant, called 'Sage', also added: "I also just want to be smack in the middle of that relationship. I would also like to be included in this relationship ... I really think my ideal dynamic might be myself and a couple. "

While there is not much research out there about this particular desire currently, we're sure there will be much more over the next decade as sexuality continues to broaden.

Featured Image Credit: Vladimir Vladimirov / Getty

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Hooters waitress claims wearing one accessory bagged her $ 700 in tips on a single shift

By Asiya Ali 

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A Hooters waitress has claimed that she pocketed over $ 700 in tips after wearing one accessory.

Waitress Lana, who goes by the handle @lolligrrl on TikTok, conducted a social experiment to see how many tips she could earn in one shift at the sports bar-style restaurant.

A Hooters waitress shared that she pocketed over $ 700 in one shift. Credit: Raymond Boyd / Getty

In a video that has now amassed 5 million views, the TikToker, based in Memphis, Tennessee, announced: "Today, I'm going to see if wearing glasses will affect my tips."

While wearing her spectacles, Lana revealed that she made a whopping $ 702 in total. She explained that she earned a $ 500 cash tip after one person heard that she was planning a trip to Miami. As for tips on the card, she got $ 46.44 and $ 80, as well as smaller numbers like $ 5, $ 3, $ 10, $ 8, and $ 7.62.

"So I could've missed some cash tips but today I'm walking home with $ 702, which is not normal," she said. "I was extremely lucky today. There are some days where I'll work 10 times harder and make less than $ 100, and today I only had 8 tables.

"So I'm so grateful for every tip that I got because that will pay for the rest of my bills while I'm away on my trip," she added.

Watch the video below:

Lana quipped in the caption that maybe she should "stop wearing" her contacts, as she believes that it had an impact on her work day.

Many people seemed to agree with her, as one user wrote: "Glasses always a plus," while a second shared that they are also a waitress and found that they "get more tips when I do my hair in pigtails and wear my glasses" .

Another user also penned: "When I worked at [an] ice cream shop I always got more tips if I was wearing my glasses and pigtails braids."

One person wrote that the glasses "would actually work on me," adding: "I like glasses and, subconsciously, I would think that tipping more would give me a chance with someone even though I know it won't."

Hooters waitresses have revealed how much they earn in one shift on social media. Credit: Foto24 / Getty

Lana isn't the only Hooters worker who found a way to make bank, as 21-year-old Tay B , noticed that customers were more generous with their tips once they saw that she was pregnant. 

The waitress, who is now a mom, revealed on the social media platform in 2022 that she made $ 417 in one day, gushing: "[It was a] pretty freaking amazing Tuesday."

In addition to this, another Hooters worker named Savannah, a 22-year-old from Dallas, Texas, earned $ 570 after wearing a birthday sash during her shift.   

Featured image credit: Kevin C. Cox / Getty

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Woman who vowed to sleep with 600 people this year responds to question people keep asking

By James Kay 

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An Australian woman who is aiming to sleep with 600 people this year has opened up about the one thing people are dying to know.

Annie Knight , who gained fame for sleeping with 300 men in 2023, has been dubbed "Australia's most sexually active woman" and is no stranger to being open about her personal life.  

The 26-year-old model, based on the Gold Coast, has named her latest endeavor the " 600 People Challenge ," which has already gained widespread attention.

Over 2,000 applications have poured in from fans across the globe eager to help her fulfill the challenge.

Knight expressed her surprise and excitement over the global response her challenge has received.

"I can not believe how many people from around the world want to be a part of my challenge! The coolest part about this is getting applications from so many different countries and cities," she wrote, sharing a mirror selfie.

Despite the demanding nature of her personal challenge, Knight remains determined to push forward.

Speaking candidly about her experience, she told Edge Breakfast : “Some days I might sleep with five people, and then the next few days I will not sleep with anyone, because I do get tired. It is exhausting, and some days I do not want sex. 

"There have been times where I've lowered the standard just a little. But overall, there's definitely a certain standard that I need to reach."

Knight is a popular star on OnlyFans, and by now you're probably aware that there's a lot of money to be made.

But the one thing that people always ask is how much Knight earns ... well, she has revealed all.

In a recent interview with realestate.com.au , she disclosed her substantial earnings, claiming to make an impressive AUD $ 2 million (USD $ 1.3 million) annually through her OnlyFans content. 

With these substantial earnings, Knight plans to invest in real estate, with dreams of building a luxury home.

"I plan to build a luxury three-story home with a modern farmhouse vibe, with six bedrooms, five bathrooms, a pool, a big, green garden, a gym, and lots of light," Knight shared.

Knight has made it clear she intends to make 2024 a record-breaking year, setting her sights on completing her sleeping challenge with 600 people.

Speaking to Perth Now , Knight discussed the judgment women face for expressing their sexual desires. "Being in the adult entertainment industry has highlighted to me the amount of judgment women receive just for having a sexual appetite," she said. "I literally behave the same way as a lot of men out there in the world, but I'm judged for what I do. It's ridiculous." 

Knight hopes her challenge will not only help her achieve a personal goal but also challenge societal stigma around women enjoying casual sex.

Featured image credit: NurPhoto / Getty

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Man who lost his penis in accident reveals the one rude question people always ask him

By James Kay 

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A man who devastatingly lost his penis in an accident has opened up and the rude question he always gets asked.

This is going to be hard to write as a man, and I assume it'll be tricky for other men to read.

Nobody wants to lose their penis. Credit: SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Getty

The thought of losing your penis in an accident is something nobody likes to think about, as it's an area we usually seek to protect.

However, for some unfortunate people out there, they have lost their crown jewels through no fault of their own.

Taking to Reddit in an "Ask Me Anything" (AMA) thread, the anonymous user opened up about the challenges he faces, including the question everyone seems to ask.  

The man, whose identity remains anonymous, began the thread with a straightforward post: "I (33) lost my wiener 4 years ago in an accident. AMA."

Already off to a painful start.

When asked how the life-changing incident occurred, he explained it was the result of a motorcycle crash: “It was a motorcycle accident. Got hit by a pickup truck. The bike got ruined and something sharp jammed on my thigh and split my wiener. ”

Despite undergoing reconstructive surgery, complications arose: "Doctors did a reconstruction but it got infected a week later and the whole thing had to be amputated. I nearly died from it," he revealed.

The man has revealed how he handles intimacy with his wife. Credit: wakila / Getty

Though he could pursue further reconstructive surgery, the fear of infection holds him back: "I can get one constructed, but I'm terrified from the infection and can't go through with it yet."

The emotional toll of losing his manhood was immense - as expected.

Reflecting on how he coped initially, he shared that he felt hopeless: "Mentally, the first year was awful and I spent so much time with my shrink. I felt I was no longer a man and did not want to stay married .. "I could never look at my wife again."

He credited his wife with helping him through his darkest moments, saying she convinced him not to give up: "I wanted to just die, but my wife said she would end up doing the same thing if I went down that path."

Then the unnamed man answered the one rude question that everyone is thinking.

How does he navigate intimacy after the accident?

He assured Reddit users that he can still engage in sexual activity and even achieve ejaculation, although in an unusual way: "Yes, I do the same way. I ejaculate but it's weird 'cause there's no shaft so it just oozes out of me. My wife gets a kick out of it but I find it weird. "

He went on to describe how he and his wife use sex toys to compensate, adding that "all kinds of foreplay, nipple, and anal stimulations" help him climax.

While he has learned to adjust, he admitted the experience has been strange, particularly when it comes to the sensation of "phantom" erections: "Ghost morning wood is a thing. For a while, I'd go to grab it and it wasn 't there. These were dark days. "

I hope that's cleared things up for you.

Featured image credit: wakila / Getty

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Woman left stunned after receiving text from guy after she turned him down for a second date

By Asiya Ali 

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A woman was left stunned after receiving a bizarre text from a man after she turned him down for a second date.

Emily, who goes by the handle @ emt19 on TikTok, recently shared a video about her dating experience on the social media platform.  

The clip, which has since been removed from the platform, contained screengrabs of a text she sent to the unnamed man after their date, which read: "Thanks so much for organizing the picnic, shame about the weather," as cited by News. com.au.​ 

"Was lovely to get to know you but I did not feel there was a spark there, but will probably see you around. Hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend," she said, concluding the message with a smiley face emoji.

Emily revealed that she went on a coffee date with a man she met at the beach. Credit: D3sign / Getty

Emily explained that she met the guy at the beach but felt that they had no romantic connection so she sent him that message in hopes that he understood how she felt.

Per the outlet, the man responded by agreeing that they were "too different" before shockingly asking her to repay him for the coffee he bought her. He then followed it up by sharing his Payid number so the woman could send him the money.

“Six dollars? He asked me to send him six dollars for my coffee, ”the stunned woman reportedly said in the now-removed clip, adding that she had“ never heard of someone asking a girl out then asking for the money ”.

According to the TikToker, the man then claimed he had "no intention" of starting a romantic relationship with her and said that he "would appreciate it if you could cover your part".

"Keeping such a small amount does not reflect well on you," he added.

Emily, who lives in Sydney, has since revealed in a follow-up post that TikTok has removed her original video.

She wrote in the overlay text "when TikTok deleted the $ 6 coffee guy video" and shared a clip of her shaking her head and hand.

"Reallllyyyyy?" she added in the caption, tagging "# 6dollarcoffee" and the dating app Hinge.

According to a psychologist, lashing out after rejection is more common among men. Credit: Tom Werner / Getty

Psychologist Carly Dober, who works at Melbourne's Enriching Lives Psychology clinic, explained that it's very common for men to lash out after being rejected.

"If a relationship or intimacy is what they want, behaving in this way will make this far less accessible for them," she said.

“It can also make it difficult for women to find the motivation to go on dates with other males if this is what they’ve experienced, and they might be far less open to meeting new people and going on dates if they feel like they owe men something for a simple coffee, "she continued.

"The end results in people being lonelier, it does not result in respectful and joyful connection," Dober added.

Do you guys think the man was wrong for asking Emily to reimburse him?

Featured image credit: Agrobacter / Getty

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Heartbreaking final words of bride who died taking part in a 'trash the dress' photoshoot

By stefan armitage 

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Weddings are full of both traditions and modern trends.

Whether its the longstanding tradition of the exchanging rings or something more up-to-date like candid cameras or having a friend give you away - newlyweds adore adding those little flourishes that make their wedding stand out from the rest.

On trend that took off over the last decade was a "trash the dress" photoshoot.

A "trash the dress" photoshoot has become more popular in recent years. Credit: Aleksander Rubtsov / Getty (Stock photo)

Now, for generations, many of our relatives would have carefully stored their wedding dresses away in the attic. After all, for most people, it is perhaps the most expensive item of clothing they'll ever buy.

However, in recent years, some brides have opted to celebrate their dress by totally destroying it.

With a photographer on-hand, brides would don their dress and wear it in an unconventional messy setting - such as rolling around in mud or getting covered in paint. The end result is a series of fun phots that are supposed to contrast the usual elegance of wedding dress photos.

But sadly, for one bride, this departure from tradition sadly ended in tragedy.

On June 9, 2012, 30-year-old bride Maria Pantazopoulos was supposed to be celebrating the happiest day of her life.

After marrying husband Billy earlier in the day - with photos from the event showing the couple smiling and surrounded by confetti - it came time for Maria to pose for her "trash the dress" photoshoot with photographer Louis Pagakis.  

The bride had entered the Ouareau River near Dorwin Falls in Rawdon, Montreal, in order to perform the newly popular rite of passage. Pantazopoulos had not been accompanied by any family members during the shoot.

However, while posing for photos, Maria's wedding dress became too heavy in the water, CTV News reported at the time.  

The bride - who is described as being "small of stature" and weighing around 100lbs - quickly became overwhelmed when she was pulled to the bottom of the water by a current. In that particular section, the water was said to be around eight meters deep.

Photographer Louis Pagakis. Credit: CTV

Pagakis said of the moment: "She had her wedding dress on and she said, 'take some pictures of me while I swim a little bit in the lake,' she went in and her dress got heavy, I tried everything I could to save her. "

"I jumped in, I was screaming and yelling, we tried our best," the photographer added.

According to the Toronto Sun , the bride's heartbreaking final words to the photographer were: "I can't anymore, it's too heavy." 

The tragedy unfolded at around 2:00 PM, with the bride's body finally being recovered roughly four hours later.

CTV Montreal reported at the time that another photographer, Mario Michaud, came forward after the tragedy to reveal that a bride he was shooting nearly suffered a similar fate months before at the same spot.

Per the Daily Mail , Maria's family later released a statement calling for stronger safety measures to be put in place. 

"One thing we are certain about is that our Maria would have never put her life at risk," the bride's family said in their statement. "Her love for life, for her husband and for her family would never allow it.

"She trusted Mr. Louis Pagakis' recommendation for the location and felt safe enough to attend the photo shoot alone with the photographers.

"The family asks the municipal council of Rawdon to work on putting in place stronger security measures to avoid any future tragedies."

The bride's family released a statement following the tragedy. Credit: rolfo / Getty (Stock photo)

Speaking on behalf of the Quebec provincial police, Sgt. Ronald McInnis said: "She was doing the photo shoot in about six inches or one foot of water when part of her wedding dress got soaked and became extremely heavy.

"She started slipping and falling down when the photographer grabbed her but she was too heavy that he couldn't pull her from the edge."

"It's horrible," McInnis added. "This is the first time I've heard of a story like that. I told my partner, this is a story that is going to go all around the world."

Featured image credit: Aleksander Rubtsov / Getty (Stock photo)

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More and more women are apparently using the '6-6-6' dating rule to find the perfect man

By Kim Novak 

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A new dating trend is emerging as women are apparently turning to the 6-6-6 method to find their perfect man.

Dating can be hard at the best of times and it's debatable whether the rise in dating apps has actually improved the situation or worsened it.

From finding out that you do not actually have as much chemistry with the person as you thought, or that they have ... embellished certain things about what they've told you, to simply being ghosted, there can be many ways things can go wrong.

So it turns out that women have come up with the 6-6-6 method to ensure the men they're meeting are worth their time.

Some women have very strict criteria for men they'll consider dating. Credit: mapodile / Getty Images

So what actually does it involve?

Well, women are now seeking out men who are six feet tall, have six-pack abs, and who make over six figures a year.

So not much to ask, then ...

According to the New York Post, some women are using that rule to help narrow down the infinite number of options available now they're not tied to friends of friends, work colleagues, or people they stumble upon naturally.  

However, being so stringent with your criteria can backfire, of course, as you can end up counting out men who might be your perfect partner because they fail to match the three tough rules.

Dating expert Amber Soletti told the outlet: "I have met tons of singles through my dating events - both men and women - who have crazy expectations for their partner and I feel sad for a lot of them who are clearly feeling lonely and going to remain. single forever. "

You might be ruling out a great potential partner if you discount them based on superficial metrics. Credit: Janina Steinmetz / Getty Images

While she believes certain "dating deal-breakers" are a must, she also recommends keeping those to more important things such as views on parenting and politics that would cause more contention down the line rather than focusing on whether a person has a six-pack. or not - something that often changes over time anyway.

"If you try to compromise on those types of deal-breakers, you are going to end up in a relationship with a lot of arguing, resentment, and eventual demise," she revealed.

While superficial things like physical attraction are important, they aren't everything as Soletti added: "Do not throw out all of your criteria, just be willing to compromise on some."

Judith Gottesman, a dating coach and author who also works as a matchmaker told the Post: "What matters is the connection you have and that you respect, trust, and love each other."

While physical attraction is important, being on the same page with your core values ​​is more crucial to a lasting relationship. Credit: Tim Robberts / Getty Images

She suggested that in order to find the perfect man, women should focus on meeting people that have shared interests and life goals and who live a compatible lifestyle to their own to get that lasting connection.

Who knows, that short king with a dad bod might just be the one.