Allosexuality is the ability to experiencesexual attraction, in contrast with the 1% or less of the total population who experienceasexuality.[1][2][3][4] For an individual who experiences sexual attraction, this identity is expressed asallosexual, sometimes shortened toallo; synonymous terms includezedsexual,[5][6] or simplysexual.[7]
The identity is general, and includes all the more specific identities of sexual attraction, such asheterosexual,gay,bisexual, orpansexual, among others.[2] Allosexual identity does not imply any particular experiences, or frequency, of sexual attraction or sexual encounters.[2]
Simplified diagram of the aromantic and asexual spectra
The prefixallo- comes from the Greek wordÁllos, meaning "other", "different", or "atypical".[8][9] It was attached to the suffix 'sexual' to create a term meaning "a person who experiences sexual attraction towards others". The structure parallels other sexuality terms such as homosexual, heterosexual, bisexual, pansexual, asexual, etc.[9]
In a medicalized context, allosexual has been used in contrast toautosexual, thus describing sexual attraction towards others or sexual behavior between multiple people.[10] The term was coined by the asexual community as a way to name and discuss the experiences of all types of non-asexual people.[2] It is used to normalize asexuality and provide a term that can be used in conjunction with ace terminology, making asexuality just another sexuality among others, rather than being a deviation from what is simply 'normal' due to the relative proportions of the population who do, or do not, experience sexual attraction.[11]
Asexuals are estimated to make up 1% or less of the total population and about 1.7% of the LGBT population.[12] Since the majority of people would be classified as allosexual, it is viewed by some as the natural way of being and asexuality as a deviation from this norm.[13] Physical intimacy is considered an essential part of romantic relationships among allosexuals, which can complicate relationships between asexual and allosexual individuals.[3]Allonormativity, or the concept that all humans experience sexual attraction or desire a sexual relationship, can lead to the isolation and marginalization of asexual individuals.[14]
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