The asexual spectrum, abbreviated as acespec,[1] refers to sexual orientations that are asexual or are closely related to asexuality. Identities under the asexual umbrella are closely connected as part of a broad community.[2]
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Community
Identities under the umbrella
The identities below are listed alphabetically, following asexual itself.
Asexual
- Main article: Asexual
The asexual pride flag
Asexual refers to people who do not experience sexual attraction toward others.[2] They may experience other forms of attraction, such as romantic, sensual, or aesthetic attraction. Asexuality is a sexual orientation,[3] not a gender identity, behavior, 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.[4] 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 sexual.[2]
Aceflux
The aceflux pride flag
Aceflux has two common definitions:[5]
- Someone with a fluctuating orientation, and that orientation is always within the asexual spectrum.[5]
- Someone with an orientation that fluctuates between no attraction, some attraction, and a lot of attraction.[5]
Aegosexual
The aegosexual pride flag
Aegosexual, also known less commonly as anegosexual[6] and formerly referred to as autochorissexual ("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.[7][8]
Apothisexual
The apothisexual flag
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.[9][10]
Demisexual
- Main article: Demisexual
The demisexual flag
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.[11] Demisexuality is included on the asexual spectrum, but demisexual people can be gay, straight, bisexual, or any other orientation in addition to being demisexual.[12]
Fraysexual
The fraysexual pride flag
Fraysexual or ignotasexual 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.[13][14] 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.[15][16] Fraysexuality has been considered by some to be the "opposite" of demisexuality.[17]
Gray-asexual
- Main article: Gray-asexual
The gray-asexual flag
Gray-asexual, also known as graysexual or gray-A, refers to the gray area of the asexual spectrum.[18] Reasons for identifying as gray-asexual may include experiencing sexuality infrequently, at low intensity, or in an ambiguous way.[5][19][20]
Preceded by earlier discussion of "semisexuality,"[21] the term "gray-a" was first used in a 2006 AVEN thread of the same name by AVEN user KSpaz, who dedicated a thread to the "fuzziness" in between asexual and allosexual. [22] The term has since become one of the most common ace identity terms after asexuality itself. In the 2019 Ace Community Census, gray-asexuals made up about 10% of ace respondents.[23]
Gray-asexuals are represented by the gray stripe of the asexual community flag, which was created collaboratively within the community in 2010.[24][25] A flag specifically for gray-asexuality was created by Milith Rusignuolo and uploaded to Wikimedia Commons on June 21, 2013 . For this flag, purple represents asexuality, white represents allosexuality, and gray represents the transition between asexuality and allosexuality, which in turn is meant to represent the infrequent or low feelings of sexuality that gray-asexual people may feel on occasion.[26][27]
Notable gray-asexuals include Tristan Miller, who organizes the annual Ace Community Survey.[28]
Flag
The most commonly used asexual spectrum flag was created collaboratively within the community in 2010. The first three stripes (black, gray, and white) represent a gradient from asexuality and gray-asexuality to allosexuality, based on the symbolism of the AVEN triangle. The fourth stripe, purple, represents community.[24][25]
The alternative asexual spectrum flag
An alternative asexual spectrum flag design was posted to Tumblr on July 25, 2020, by Potion of the Flag 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.[29]
