The asexual spectrum, abbreviated as ace-spec, refers to sexual orientations that are asexual or are closely related to asexuality when placed on a spectrum ranging from asexual to sexual. Identities under the asexual umbrella are closely connected as part of a broad community. Demisexual is one such identity.[1]
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Community
Identities under the umbrella
Asexual
- Main article: Asexual
The asexual pride flag
Asexual refers to people who do not experience sexual attraction toward others,[1] as well as people who experience limited or conditional sexual attraction[2] and relate to the label asexual more than other sexual identity terms.[1] They may experience other forms of attraction, such as romantic, sensual, or aesthetic attraction. Asexuality is a sexual orientation,[3] 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.[1][2] Asexuality is part of the asexual spectrum (abbreviated "ace spectrum"), an umbrella term and a broad community of identities that are closely related to asexuality when placed on a spectrum ranging from asexual to allosexual.[1]
Aceflux
Aceflux has two common definitions:[4]
- Someone with a fluctuating orientation, and that orientation is always within the asexual spectrum.[4]
- Someone with an orientation that fluctuates between no attraction, some attraction, and a lot of attraction.[4]
Aegosexual
The Aegosexual pride flag.
Aegosexual or anegosexual[1], formerly referred to as autochorissexual, is a microlabel of the asexual spectrum that describes those who've had a disconnection between themself and the subject of arousal. Aegosexuals may have sexual fantasies, view sexual content, or masturbate, but they commonly feel little to no sexual attraction and typically do not desire to have sexual intercourse with another individual.
Demisexual
- Main article: Demisexual
Demisexual is a term used to describe those who do not experience sexual attraction to others unless they form a strong emotional bond with someone first. Demisexual people may still experience romantic attraction, but until a deep connection is formed, there is no sexual attraction involved. They may have little to no interest in sex and may only experience sexual attraction rarely, but that is not the case with all demisexuals.[5]
Another definition is a person who does not experience primary sexual attraction, defined as sexual attraction that is based on sight, smell, or other instantly available information. In this definition, demisexuals experience secondary sexual attraction after knowing more about the person than just their looks; how much demisexuals need to know about said person and for how long they need to know about them for secondary sexual attraction to develop varies from person to person.[6] After secondary sexual attraction is developed, demisexuals may or may not experience arousal or desire based on the physical traits of the persons they already experience secondary sexual attraction towards; usually they are not only aroused by personality traits.[7][8]
Demisexuality is included on the asexual spectrum, but demisexual people can be gay, straight, bisexual, or any other orientation in addition to being demisexual.[9]
Graysexual
Graysexual, also known as gray asexual, includes people who may:[4]
- experience a low level of attraction,[4][10]
- rarely experience attraction,[4]
- experience attraction only in certain conditions,[4]
- and/or are unsure whether or not they experience attraction.[4]
Some people regard graysexuality as a midpoint on the asexual spectrum,[4] and stems from the idea that sexuality is not binary and there is a "gray area" many people fall into.[10]
Resources
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 "General FAQ" by Asexual Visibility and Education Network on asexuality.org (Archived on January 8, 2022). Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "AVEN: General FAQ" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ 2.0 2.1 language primer.com/asexual "Asexual" by The Trans Language Primer on The Trans Language Primer (language primer.com/asexual Archived on October 28, 2021).
- ↑ "Overview" by Asexual Visibility and Education Network on Asexual Visibility and Education Network (Archived on December 17, 2021).
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 The ABC's of LGBT+ by Mardell, Ashley. Published 2016 by Mango Media Inc.. ISBN 9781633534087
- ↑ "Demisexual" by The Trans Language Primer on The Trans Language Primer
- ↑ "No lust at first sight: why thousands are now identifying as ‘demisexual’" on theguardian.com. Published by The Guardian
- ↑ https://bloodandmilk.com/demisexuality-grey-area-asexuality/
- ↑ https://www.newsweek.com/demisexual-definition-ally-asexual-difference-1603669
- ↑ "What Is Demisexuality?" on webmd.com. Published by WebMD
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 "What Does It Mean to Be Graysexual? 16 Qs About Attraction and More" by Ferguson, Sian on healthline.com. Published September 17, 2019 by Healthline