Objectum Sexual : A Strange Kind of Love
This story seems to be following me around!
I heard it on the radio a couple of weeks ago - then I saw a commercial for the documentary yesterday - and today in the car, I heard more about it on ABC News Radio.
A new (or at least newly named) kind of sexual orientation is the subject of a BBC documentary, premiering in the United States this week.
What is this sexual orientation? It is a sexual attraction toward inanimate objects. A chair, a building, a tea cup or anything else that a person forms a deep emotional and sexual bond with.
Several people are followed and interviewed, as they talk about the love they feel for these objects. One women fell in love with the Eiffel Tower so deeply that she had a commitment ceremony with it and changed her last name to Eiffel. She describes the Eiffel Tower as having "subtle, subtle curves...".
Others have relationships with musical instruments or even the Berlin Wall.
The women who married the Eiffel Tower is photographed, spread out on the Eiffel Tower, and smiling. She's happy.
Some sexual health experts believe that this is a new sexual orientation and is as normal as straight love, gay love or any other kind of love.
Others, especially those who know Mrs. Eiffel personally, believe her to be mentally ill. Erica Eiffel is a world class archer and dated her archery bow. She has also had a relationship with a bridge and won a $250,000 scholarship to the Air Force, and admitted a romantic relationship with an F-15.
She was discharged from the Air Force due to her Objectum Sexual and says she has been ostracized from friends and family. But she says she is happy and hurting no-one.
In studying the small but growing group of Objectum Sexuals, researchers have found the incidence of Asperger's Syndrome or Autism to be quite high. Erica Eiffel does admit she had a very abusive childhood but believe she was born this way. She also believes the Eiffel Tower loves her back.
For more information on this subject, there is an Objectum Sexual website which can be found here : http://www.objectum-sexuality.org/
The BBC documentary I Married the Eiffel Tower airs on BBC America on Thursday this week.
Tell Us
Is this a sexual orientation, just like homo, hetero or bisexuality? Or is this a mental illness like some believe? Others believe it to be mere attention seeking and exhibitionism. What do you think?
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I've seen the previews for this documentary, and I find the subject both shocking and fascinating. I knew about obsessions with objects, but I suppose I've led too sheltered a life to think that the obsessions would turn sexual. I often remarked that the Eiffel Tower is rather phallic; but, inasmuch as it has long been an object of my admiration (been there and loved the elevator ride to get a terrific view and a cup of delicious hot chocolate), I would never have felt a sexual attraction to it.
There was one comment in the preview that one of the persons wouldn't (or couldn't) ever have a normal relationship with another person. How terribly sad that a human couldn't connect to another human on even our most base level.
In any case, I'm looking forward to watching the documentary.
I am the women featured in the ABC News featured this morning... and also the UK documentary. Your coment: "Others, especially those who know Mrs. Eiffel personally, believe her to be mentally ill."
I can assure you I am not mentally ill despite two posts from the ABC News feature from people that claim they know me from archery. I find it strange for someone to believe faceless critics but not the person who is baring their soul to the world. Very dissappointed.
Anon, we'd love to hear more from you personally.
One of the questions I have is simply this -- in a sexual relationship, whether homo, hetero or bi, both parties participate physically. In a relationship with something like the Eiffel Tower or a bridge, how are your feelings reciprocated physically? How is it any more than an object of love, for instance?
Hello Diane, thank you for your question. It is refreshing to have an intelligent inquiry verses the usual simple-minded and often crude ones.
Strictly speaking of physical reciprocation, I have a deep sense of energy exchange with my object love utilizing tactile and sensory connection. For example, temperature is one means. When I come in contact with my Bridge, there is a period of exchange as our temperatures equalize.
As for being any more than an object of love... since this is all I have ever known, I truly can't answer that. I guess to the rest of the world, minus others like myself, that may be all it is. But to me I am quite content and frankly very happy in my way of love and life even if taken at less face value by the rest of the world. Regards, Erika
Erika,
If you don't mind, I have some questions?
Have you or would you still EVER considering having a sexual relationship with a man? Do you connect well with other people?
Is your love aesthetic, spiritual and/ or sexual in nature?
Do you feel completely fulfilled or do you ever feel you are missing our on a relationship with a man(or woman)and maybe having children?
Have you always felt this way?
Sorry for the many questions. I am very interested in what you have to say.