Object sexuality
Encyclopedia
Object sexuality or objectum sexuality, in German objektophil (OS), is a pronounced emotional and often romantic desire towards developing significant relationships with particular inanimate objects. Those individuals with this expressed preference may feel strong feelings of attraction, love, and commitment to certain items or structures of their fixation. For some, sexual or even close emotional relationships with humans are incomprehensible. Object-sexual individuals also often believe in animism
, and sense reciprocation based on the belief that objects have souls, intelligence, feelings, and are able to communicate. Contrary to sexual fetishism
, the object to an OS person is viewed as their partner and not as a means to an end to enhance a human sexual relationship.
, an object-sexual living near San Francisco, California
founded OS Internationale, an educational website and international online community for those identifying or researching the condition to love objects. The website generated a flood of international media interest.
Eiffel, whose name derives from her marriage to the Eiffel Tower in 2007, has been featured as a spokesperson in a variety of international articles, radio talk shows, and television programs and documentaries worldwide.
The logo for the OS Internationale is the Swedish Red Fence, Röda Staketet, and represents the fence of Mrs. Eklöf Berliner-Mauer who was the first acknowledged OS person to go public. The fence symbolizes transparency and division.
, though without specific data or inquiry into this condition.
In February 2009, Dr. Amy Marsh, a clinical sexologist, contacted OS Internationale with questions about objectum sexuality. With the consent and cooperation of Erika Eiffel and twenty-one English-speaking members of the OS Internationale organization, Dr. Marsh conducted a survey designed to provide the membership with data which could be given to interested professionals and media representatives. This is the first known instance of quantitative and qualitative data collected from this community, and provided insights which encouraged Dr. Marsh to accept object sexuality as an orientation, not a paraphilia
. The research results were published as "Love Among the Objectum Sexuals" in the Electronic Journal of Human Sexuality
.
and the Tyra Banks Show where they featured Erika Eiffel and her "marriage" to the Eiffel Tower
discussing how her object love empowered her to become a two time world champion in archery and her role as a spokesperson for OS.
Also featured was clinical sexologist, Dr. Amy Marsh to whom ABC News
raised the question about objectum orientation
versus paraphilia
. Dr. Marsh shared insights from her recent survey research and revealed that she supported OS as a legitimate orientation with further study required.
When questioned by Tyra Banks
regarding childhood trauma being a factor in being objectum-sexual, Dr. Marsh revealed that her research does not indicate trauma being a factor. She stated there would be more OS individuals if that was indeed the case.
In the summer of 2009, Erika Eiffel was invited to give a one-hour presentation to sexology students and sex therapists and educators at the Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality
in San Francisco, CA. The presentation took place during the eight-day Sexual Attitude Restructuring (SAR) program given annually at the Institute. The presentation was moderated by Dr. Amy Marsh and it was taped and is now preserved in the Institute's library archives.
Dr. Marsh, writing a weekly column called "Love's Outer Limits" for Carnal Nation, began with three columns called "People Who Love Objects".
She has also published "Love Among the Objectum Sexuals" in the Electronic Journal of Human Sexuality, March 2010.
, is a self-proclaimed “objectophile”.
Richard Burgi
made a guest appearance on Nip/Tuck
portraying a plastic surgeon with a strong sexual and emotional attraction to furniture (couches in particular), referring to himself as someone with object sexuality and quoting text from the OS Internationale website.
In July 2010, The Music Theatre Company produced a musical stage play titled "Erika's Wall" telling the love story of Erika Eiffel and her long-time relationship with the Berlin Wall.
Animism
Animism refers to the belief that non-human entities are spiritual beings, or at least embody some kind of life-principle....
, and sense reciprocation based on the belief that objects have souls, intelligence, feelings, and are able to communicate. Contrary to sexual fetishism
Sexual fetishism
Sexual fetishism, or erotic fetishism, is the sexual arousal a person receives from a physical object, or from a specific situation. The object or situation of interest is called the fetish, the person a fetishist who has a fetish for that object/situation. Sexual fetishism may be regarded, e.g...
, the object to an OS person is viewed as their partner and not as a means to an end to enhance a human sexual relationship.
Community
In Feb 2008, Erika EiffelErika Eiffel
Erika "Aya" Eiffel , is an American woman who famously "married" the Eiffel Tower in a commitment ceremony in 2007.She is fouder of OS Internationale, an organization for those who develop significant relationships with inanimate objects...
, an object-sexual living near San Francisco, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
founded OS Internationale, an educational website and international online community for those identifying or researching the condition to love objects. The website generated a flood of international media interest.
Eiffel, whose name derives from her marriage to the Eiffel Tower in 2007, has been featured as a spokesperson in a variety of international articles, radio talk shows, and television programs and documentaries worldwide.
The logo for the OS Internationale is the Swedish Red Fence, Röda Staketet, and represents the fence of Mrs. Eklöf Berliner-Mauer who was the first acknowledged OS person to go public. The fence symbolizes transparency and division.
Research
Prior to 2009, object-sexual relationships were treated as curiosities and sensationalized in the media. Medical, psychological, and sexological professionals categorized OS as a paraphiliaParaphilia
Paraphilia is a biomedical term used to describe sexual arousal to objects, situations, or individuals that are not part of normative stimulation and that may cause distress or serious problems for the paraphiliac or persons associated with him or her...
, though without specific data or inquiry into this condition.
In February 2009, Dr. Amy Marsh, a clinical sexologist, contacted OS Internationale with questions about objectum sexuality. With the consent and cooperation of Erika Eiffel and twenty-one English-speaking members of the OS Internationale organization, Dr. Marsh conducted a survey designed to provide the membership with data which could be given to interested professionals and media representatives. This is the first known instance of quantitative and qualitative data collected from this community, and provided insights which encouraged Dr. Marsh to accept object sexuality as an orientation, not a paraphilia
Paraphilia
Paraphilia is a biomedical term used to describe sexual arousal to objects, situations, or individuals that are not part of normative stimulation and that may cause distress or serious problems for the paraphiliac or persons associated with him or her...
. The research results were published as "Love Among the Objectum Sexuals" in the Electronic Journal of Human Sexuality
Electronic Journal of Human Sexuality
Electronic Journal of Human Sexuality is a scholarly journal that publishes articles, dissertations, theses, posters, and other academic materials about all aspects of human sexuality . It is published by the Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality, San Francisco. The Senior Editor of the...
.
Awareness
Objectum Sexuality flashed into mainstream and has been the subject in a wide variety of international media stemming from ABC News Good Morning AmericaGood Morning America
Good Morning America is an American morning news and talk show that is broadcast on the ABC television network; it debuted on November 3, 1975. The weekday program airs for two hours; a third hour aired between 2007 and 2008 exclusively on ABC News Now...
and the Tyra Banks Show where they featured Erika Eiffel and her "marriage" to the Eiffel Tower
Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is a puddle iron lattice tower located on the Champ de Mars in Paris. Built in 1889, it has become both a global icon of France and one of the most recognizable structures in the world...
discussing how her object love empowered her to become a two time world champion in archery and her role as a spokesperson for OS.
Also featured was clinical sexologist, Dr. Amy Marsh to whom ABC News
ABC News
ABC News is the news gathering and broadcasting division of American broadcast television network ABC, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company...
raised the question about objectum orientation
Sexual orientation
Sexual orientation describes a pattern of emotional, romantic, or sexual attractions to the opposite sex, the same sex, both, or neither, and the genders that accompany them. By the convention of organized researchers, these attractions are subsumed under heterosexuality, homosexuality,...
versus paraphilia
Paraphilia
Paraphilia is a biomedical term used to describe sexual arousal to objects, situations, or individuals that are not part of normative stimulation and that may cause distress or serious problems for the paraphiliac or persons associated with him or her...
. Dr. Marsh shared insights from her recent survey research and revealed that she supported OS as a legitimate orientation with further study required.
When questioned by Tyra Banks
Tyra Banks
Tyra Lynne Banks is an American model, media personality, actress, occasional singer, author and businesswoman. She first became famous as a model, but television appearances were her commercial breakthrough...
regarding childhood trauma being a factor in being objectum-sexual, Dr. Marsh revealed that her research does not indicate trauma being a factor. She stated there would be more OS individuals if that was indeed the case.
In the summer of 2009, Erika Eiffel was invited to give a one-hour presentation to sexology students and sex therapists and educators at the Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality
Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality
The Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality is a non-accredited degree-granting institution and resource center in the field of sexology located in San Francisco, California. Degree and certificate programs focus on public health, sex therapy, and sexological research...
in San Francisco, CA. The presentation took place during the eight-day Sexual Attitude Restructuring (SAR) program given annually at the Institute. The presentation was moderated by Dr. Amy Marsh and it was taped and is now preserved in the Institute's library archives.
Dr. Marsh, writing a weekly column called "Love's Outer Limits" for Carnal Nation, began with three columns called "People Who Love Objects".
She has also published "Love Among the Objectum Sexuals" in the Electronic Journal of Human Sexuality, March 2010.
In popular culture
The character of Leigh Swift from the television comedy drama Boston LegalBoston Legal
Boston Legal is an American legal dramedy created by David E. Kelley, which was produced in association with 20th Century Fox Television for the ABC...
, is a self-proclaimed “objectophile”.
Richard Burgi
Richard Burgi
Richard William Burgi is an American film and television actor. He's best known for the roles of Det. Jim Ellinson on The Sentinel and as Karl Mayer on Desperate Housewives.-Personal life:...
made a guest appearance on Nip/Tuck
Nip/Tuck
Nip/Tuck is an American drama series created by Ryan Murphy, which aired on FX in the United States. The series focuses on McNamara/Troy, a plastic surgery practice, and follows its founders, Sean McNamara and Christian Troy...
portraying a plastic surgeon with a strong sexual and emotional attraction to furniture (couches in particular), referring to himself as someone with object sexuality and quoting text from the OS Internationale website.
In July 2010, The Music Theatre Company produced a musical stage play titled "Erika's Wall" telling the love story of Erika Eiffel and her long-time relationship with the Berlin Wall.