The nebulasexual flag was inspired by the beautiful Crab Nebula a huge cloud of gas and dust floating in space.
In today’s world, many people are exploring and questioning their sexuality more openly than ever before. As a result, new terms are being created to help describe experiences that don’t fit into traditional labels. One of these new terms is *nebulasexual*. The word comes from “nebula,” meaning a cloudy or misty area in space — and that idea of fogginess captures what many people who identify as nebulasexual feel about their attraction.
Being nebulasexual often connects with being neurodivergent, which means someone’s brain works differently from what’s considered typical — for example, people with ADHD or autism. For many of them, understanding attraction can feel confusing or unclear. They might not always know whether they are feeling romantic, sexual, or simply aesthetic attraction, or if it’s just part of how their brain processes things.
The term “nebulasexual” gives these individuals a way to express that uncertainty without feeling like something is wrong with them. It describes the experience of attraction that feels “cloudy,” hard to define, or constantly shifting.
Although the term has existed online for a while, it’s only recently become more recognized, especially on platforms like Reddit. There, people have shared their personal experiences and how the label helps them feel understood. One person wrote that they had always struggled to tell if what they were feeling was genuine attraction or something else, but discovering the term nebulasexual finally gave them the words they needed. Another person with ADHD explained that their mind often mixes up types of attraction — they can’t always tell if they’re drawn to someone sexually, emotionally, or just because they’re fascinated by them — and that “nebulasexual” feels like the right fit.
Some also describe how intrusive thoughts or sensory overload make it even harder to separate emotions from attraction. For many, identifying as nebulasexual brings comfort and validation, helping them see that they aren’t “broken” — they simply experience attraction differently.
The nebulasexual flag, designed in 2020 by a Tumblr user, was inspired by the glowing colors of the Crab Nebula. The flag uses shades of orange, white, and green to represent the mysterious and “cloudy” feeling of nebulous attraction. It has since been embraced by people in the LGBTQ+ community and is often seen at Pride events.
Nebulasexuality fits within the “quoiromantic” or “ace” spectrum, which focuses on how difficult it can be to label attraction rather than lacking it completely. For many people, using this term isn’t about being confused — it’s about finally finding a word that feels right for how they experience the world and their emotions.
