Hobosexual

Hobosexual is a slang term that usually describes someone who pursues relationships or sexual partners mainly to secure housing, financial support, or basic resources. Unlike recognized kink roles (such as houseboy or kept partner), “hobosexual” isn’t part of a negotiated dynamic - it’s more of a tongue-in-cheek label for a one-sided or opportunistic relationship. The term is often used humorously or critically. Hobosexual relationships appear to be fairly common. They can happen among men and women and can take many forms. People might enter them as a temporary measure due to housing insecurity, or as a manipulative tactic to maintain a certain lifestyle. ### Origins of the Term This word is a slang mashup of hobo (a person without stable housing) and sexual. It should technically mean an attraction to homeless people, and is sometimes used this way as well. This term was coined as a joke, but instead of describing attraction, it describes motive (sex/relationships for housing). The word shows up in Urban Dictionary entries in the 2010s, mostly as a humorous insult for someone who “dates for a place to stay.” It gained traction on Twitter and meme culture in the 2010s, often targeting men moving in quickly with women. ### Safety and Consent A hobosexual relationship often carries a layer of manipulation, dependency, or even exploitation. It isn’t automatically abuse, but it’s a situation that is high-risk for exploitation. Extra attention to boundaries, consent, and independence is critical.