Kourtney Kardashian, a well-known media personality, brought attention to the concept of autosexuality through an article on her lifestyle website, Poosh, in 2020. This sparked discussions and media headlines suggesting she “came out” as autosexual. However, the reality is more nuanced, and understanding autosexuality itself is key to unpacking this topic. Let’s break it down simply.
Autosexuality refers to a sexual attraction to oneself, where individuals may prefer masturbation or self-stimulation over sexual activities with others. According to WebMD, it doesn’t mean someone never has relationships, but they feel more aroused by themselves. It’s a spectrum, with some identifying strictly as autosexual, while others experience it alongside attractions to others, as noted by Healthline. This concept is related to autoeroticism, which includes self-directed sexual behaviors, as explained on Wikipedia.
In December 2020, Poosh published an article titled “Are You Autosexual?” which suggested most people are autosexual to some degree, featuring insights from therapist Casey Tanner. The article, as reported by The Independent, defined autosexuality as being turned on by one’s own eroticism and included examples like wearing lingerie for oneself. Media outlets like Daily Mail interpreted this as Kourtney “coming out,” but she did not explicitly state she identifies as autosexual; it was educational content under the Poosh byline.
The narrative of Kourtney “coming out” created some controversy, with fans and media speculating, as seen in discussions on Reddit. Some praised her bravery, while others questioned the term’s relevance, highlighting a divide in public perception. This shows how celebrity platforms can amplify discussions but also lead to misinterpretations.
Autosexuality, as a sexual orientation, describes individuals who are primarily sexually attracted to themselves. According to WebMD, published on July 6, 2023, autosexuality means feeling more aroused by oneself, often preferring masturbation, but it doesn’t exclude relationships with others. It’s part of a broader spectrum, with Healthline, updated October 20, 2021, noting that autosexuals may experience little to no attraction to others, sometimes falling under the asexual spectrum.
Wikipedia, last edited in 2025, explains that autosexuality is linked to autoeroticism, encompassing not just physical self-stimulation like masturbation but also emotional and fantasy-based self-attraction. Medical News Today, from April 26, 2023, adds that autosexual individuals might fantasize about themselves and feel high attraction to their own bodies, though this doesn’t necessarily define their orientation exclusively.
The term, rooted in the Greek prefix “auto” meaning “self,” has been discussed since the early 1900s, with Dictionary.com, published May 16, 2019, noting its use in contexts of self-stimulation and fantasies. LX.com, from May 13, 2022, features personal accounts, like Ghia Vitale, who described discovering the term in college and identifying with it, highlighting its personal relevance.
Kourtney Kardashian’s involvement stems from an article published on her website Poosh in December 2020, titled “Are You Autosexual?” While the original article is no longer directly accessible on Poosh, multiple sources, including The Independent and Daily Mail, quote it extensively. It began with, “Are you autosexual? The short answer is yes, most likely. In fact, we all are, at least a little,” suggesting autosexuality as a common trait.
The article featured therapist Casey Tanner, founder of QueerSexTherapy, who defined autosexuality as “a trait wherein one is turned on by engaging in their own eroticism.” Tanner, as cited in Firstpost, published March 16, 2024, explained it could extend to feeling a longing for oneself, through visualization, touch, or smell. Examples included wearing lingerie for oneself, doing hair and makeup to feel sexy, or enjoying one’s body, as noted in Female First.
Importantly, the article was under the Poosh byline, not a personal statement from Kourtney, as clarified in The Mirror, published December 27, 2020. This distinction is crucial, as it was educational, not a declaration of personal identity.
Media coverage, such as UNILAD, published November 8, 2024, and JOE.co.uk, published March 8, 2024, framed the article as Kourtney “coming out” as autosexual, leading to headlines like “Kourtney Kardashian Comes Out as Autosexual” on Tyla, published August 20, 2024. This interpretation sparked controversy, with some fans on Reddit questioning its fit, given her known relationships, like with Travis Barker, as noted in The Scottish Sun, published December 27, 2020.
Comments ranged from supportive, like “Really brave of Kourtney Kardashian to come out as autosexual today nothing but support for our troops,” to critical, with one saying, “That’s a new term to me… sounds pretty conceited,” as seen in Tyla. This divide reflects broader public reactions to celebrity-driven discussions on sexuality.
To clarify, autosexuality differs from asexuality, which involves no sexual attraction, as per Asexual Visibility and Education Network, published April 26, 2008. Health.com, from December 27, 2022, distinguishes it from narcissism, noting autosexuality is about self-attraction, not excessive need for attention. Queerdom Wiki, last updated March 10, 2025, adds it’s not about narcissistic traits, with community flags symbolizing self-compassion and love.
Kourtney’s article, while not a personal coming out, played a role in normalizing autosexuality, aligning with trends of celebrities using platforms for education, as seen in We Are Her, published May 10, 2023. This can help reduce stigma, encouraging self-acceptance, especially for those exploring their identities. Future research, as suggested by Medical News Today, could further explore autosexuality’s prevalence and impact on relationships.
Table: Key Sources and Insights on Autosexuality
| Source | Insight | Publication Date |
|---|---|---|
| WebMD | Defines autosexuality as preferring self-stimulation, on a spectrum. | July 6, 2023 |
| Healthline | Notes autosexuals may fall under asexual spectrum, little attraction to others. | October 20, 2021 |
| The Independent | Quotes Poosh article, educational, not personal statement. | December 27, 2020 |
| Daily Mail | Reports media framing as “coming out,” includes article examples. | December 26, 2020 |
| Shows public split, some supportive, some skeptical. | March 14, 2024 |
This detailed analysis ensures a comprehensive understanding, covering definitions, Kourtney’s role, media reactions, and broader implications, all grounded in cited sources.
Get fact from
- What Does It Mean to Be Autosexual? WebMD
- Autoeroticism Wikipedia
- What Does It Mean to Be Autosexual? Healthline
- Kourtney Kardashian shares article about being autosexual on Poosh lifestyle website The Independent
- Kourtney Kardashian shares an article about being AUTOSEXUAL Daily Mail
- Kourtney Kardashian Appears To Come Out As Autosexual Reddit