Is Sexuality Fluid? Can Sexuality Change? Is This a Thing?

Dear Mx. Thing: Can sexuality actually change? And when is it and when isn’t it appropriate to talk about sexual fluidity?

Author

Baxstar Jonmarie Ferguson
September 27, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutes

THIS MONTH WITH MX. THING

How stable is sexuality?

This month, Mx. Thing tackles one of the thorniest questions in queer discourse: Can sexuality change? Sparked by the Betty Who and Renee Rapp drama that's been making waves online, this column digs into the science of sexual fluidity, the weaponization of the concept against lesbians, and what it means when our understanding of our own sexuality evolves or, yes, even changes over time.

From Lisa Diamond's groundbreaking longitudinal research to Adrienne Rich's theory of compulsory heterosexuality, from the viral Lesbian Masterdoc (and its creator's own coming out as bisexual) to the very real changes some transgender people experience during hormone therapy—Mx. Thing weaves together research, community wisdom, and lived experience to help us hold space for both stability and change without using either as a weapon.

Plus: A brief glossary of terms for fluid sexualities.

Hey there!

You’re reading Well Beings News — a queer trans health and wellness newsletter for practitioners, providers, and professionals who care about improving LGBTQ+ lives. This is “Is This a Thing?”—a monthly column answering your most burning questions about unstudied or understudied LGBTQ+ health and science, by Mx. Thing, our resident queer of questionable credentials, talking comorbidities, coincidences, and conditions that might (or might not) be A Thing.
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— BJ @ Well Beings News
THE QUESTION

Dear Mx. Thing,

I've been watching the Betty Who and Renee Rapp drama unfold online, and it's got me thinking about something that's been bothering me for a while. I keep seeing people weaponize the idea that "sexuality is fluid" against lesbians specifically—you know, the whole "she just hasn't found the right man yet" thing. But I've also seen people talk about how their sexuality genuinely did change. Obviously, conversion therapy is bad. (I can’t believe I ever have to say that but here we are.)

But can sexuality actually change? And when is it and when isn’t it appropriate to talk about sexual fluidity?

Is this A Thing?

— Fluidly Fixed

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