Asexual spectrum

Asexual spectrum

Theasexual spectrum (abbreviated asacespec,ace spec, orace-spec)^[1] refers tosexual orientations that areasexual or are closely related to asexuality. Identities under the asexualumbrella are closely connected as part of a broad community.^[1][2][3]

Stub
This article is astub. You can help LGBTQIA+ Wiki byexpanding it.

Community

Identities under the umbrella

The identities below are listed alphabetically, following asexual itself.

Asexual

Main article:Asexual

Asexual refers to people who do not experience sexual attraction toward others,^[2] as well as people who experience limited or conditional sexual attraction^[4] and relate to the label asexual more than other sexual identity terms.^[2] They may experience other forms of attraction, such asromantic, sensual, or aesthetic attraction.Asexuality is asexual orientation,^[5] not a behavior, choice, or medical condition. Some asexual people choose to engage in sexual activities for various reasons despite not experiencing sexual feelings and desire toward any particular person.^[2][4] Asexuality is part of theasexual spectrum (abbreviated "ace spectrum"), anumbrella term and a broad community of identities that are closely related to asexuality when placed on a spectrum ranging from asexual toallosexual.^[2]

Aceflux

Aceflux has two common definitions:^[6]

1. Someone with a fluctuating orientation, and that orientation is always within the asexual spectrum.^[1][3][6]
2. Someone with an orientation that fluctuates between no attraction, some attraction, and a lot of attraction.^[6]

Aegosexual

Aegosexual, also known less commonly asanegosexual^[7] and formerly referred to asautochorissexual ("autochoris" means "identity-less"), is a microlabel on the asexual spectrum that describes those who experience a disconnect between themselves and the subject of arousal. The contemporary term is made up of the prefix "a/an-" meaning 'not', "ego" for 'self', and 'sexual'. Hence, "aegosexual" or "anegosexual" literally means "sexual without self". Aegosexuals may have sexual fantasies, view sexual content, or masturbate, but typically feel little to no sexual attraction or desire to engage in sexual intercourse. Many aegosexuals fantasize about sex from a third-person perspective.^[1][3][8][9]

Apothisexual

Apothisexual, which stems from the Greek root "apothisan" meaning 'repulsed', refers to someone who identifies as asexual and finds sex and/or sexual activity to be disgusting or uncomfortable. Individuals who use this term are affected by sex in the media to varying degrees, and may try to avoid its presence altogether. This term should not be confused with 'sex-negative', which means finding sex immoral.^[3][10][11]

Autosexual

Autosexual oregosexual is a label that refers to someone who mostly or only feels sexual attraction to themselves.^[3][12]

Cupiosexual

Cupiosexual, derived from "cupio" meaning longing, refers to a person who is asexual or on the asexual spectrum and still desires sexual actions despite not feeling an attraction towards people who'd inspire that desire.^[1][3][13] The term originally showed up on forums in 2014. Although cupiosexuals will not experience sexual attraction to their sexual partner, there are a myriad of other reasons a cupiosexual may have sex, such as physical pleasure or a way to bond with one's partner.^[14]

Demisexual

Main article:Demisexual

Demisexual is asexual orientation most often defined as only experiencing sexual attraction when an emotional connection or bond has formed with someone.^{[2][15][16][6][17]} The nature of that emotional bond varies by person, but possibilities include friendship or romance and may or not mean loving the other person.^[18]

Another definition is a person who does not experience primary sexual attraction (defined as sexual attraction that is based on sight, smell, or other information instantly available upon meeting someone) but does experience secondary sexual attraction (attraction that develops over time based upon the relationship and connection with another person). How much demisexuals need to know about another person and for how long they need to know about them before they may develop secondary sexual attraction varies from person to person.^[19]

Demisexual people can begay,straight,bisexual, or any other orientation describing thegender(s) of people they are attracted to.^[20] Some add demi- as a prefix to another sexual orientation label, such as "demi-bisexual".^[16] Demisexuality is part of theasexual spectrum,^[2] but individual demisexuals may or may not identify asasexual.^[15]

Fraysexual

Fraysexual orignotasexual describe individuals who experience sexual attraction to those whom they do not know very well. For some fraysexual people, they may initially be attracted to another person; however, they find that their sexual attraction fades over time, particularly as an emotional connection is formed.^{[1][3][21][22]} Some fraysexual people have described their sexuality as an "imbalance of morals" that prevents them from being able to engage in sexual acts with any other person close to them.^[23][24] Fraysexuality has been considered by some to be the "opposite" of demisexuality.^[25]

Gray-asexual

Main article:Gray-asexual

Gray-asexual,^[26] also known asgraysexual orgray-A,^[26][27][28] is anasexual identity characterized as being "in between" asexual andallosexual; that is, being asexual while also able to experience, or have experienced previously, sexual attraction.^[26] People who identify as gray-asexual may experience sexual attraction that occurs infrequently, at low intensity, or in an ambiguous way.^{[6][29][1][3]} The term is often included in theasexual spectrum.^[1][3][30]

Lithosexual

Lithosexual, formerly known as "akoisexual", is a term for someone who feels sexual attraction only for those that do not reciprocate those feelings.^[1][3][31]

Flag

While the overall asexual flag is often used to represent the asexual spectrum, there is also a flag design specifically made to represent this spectrum.^[3][32] This design was posted to Tumblr on July 25, 2020, by Potion of theFlag Archive blog. It has four equal-sized horizontal stripes, and they suggested the following meanings for the colors: dark blue for community, its history, and solidarity; purple for asexuality in all variations and personal labels, pink for self-determination, pride, and acceptance; cream for diversity in experiences and types of attraction.^[33]

Resources

• asexuality.org — Website ofThe Asexual Visibility and Education Network

References