ASEXUALITY AND THE ASEXUAL SPECTRUM.

 

WHAT IS ASEXUALITY?

Asexuality is defined as a sexual identity orientation where a person (an asexual) feels little or no sexual attraction towards others. The asexual flag was created in August, 2010 and consists of four horizontal stripes which are; black, grey, white, and purple from the top of the flag to its bottom. The black stripe represents sexuality, the grey stripe represents grey-asexuality, the white stripe represents non-asexual allies, and the purple stripe community.

Being asexual does not mean that a person cannot experience sexual or romantic attraction. Some asexuals participate in sexual activity as asexual people experience arousal, attraction or feelings differently. The common experiences shared by asexuals has led to different ways asexuality is expressed.

 

These expressions are defined under the asexual spectrum.

THE ASEXUAL SPECTRUM

The Asexual Spectrum or is a group of sexual identities/orientations that all fall under the general term

“Asexual”.

These identities are numerous and might seem excessive but are extremely important to people who identify as asexual. These identities include:

Aceflux

An aceflux person’s sexual orientation fluctuates but generally stays within the asexual spectrum. Their sexuality varies between asexuality and allosexuality over time and they may feel strongly asexual one day and less asexual another day.

Acespike

An acespike person usually feels no sexual attraction, but occasionally has sudden and intense spikes of sexual attraction for short amounts of time, before returning just as suddenly, to their regular levels of asexuality.

Akoisexual

An akoisexual person experiences sexual attraction but does not want it acted upon or reciprocated. They may be uncomfortable with other people being sexually attracted to them and loose their own sexual attraction towards others when they learn it’s reciprocated.

Autochorissexual

An Autochorissexual person is aroused by sexual activity that they are not involved in. An autochorissexual person might have sexual fantasies, enjoy reading erotica and watching porn but will have no desire to participate in sexual activity themselves.

Cupiosexual

Cupiosexuals experience a desire for sexual relationships but do not experience sexual attraction towards others. The experience no sexual attraction but still have a desire to participate in sexual activity.

Demisexual

Demisexuals do not experience sexual attraction towards others unless they form deep emotional bonds with them. These bonds can either be platonic or romantic. Demisexuals do not feel sexual attraction towards everyone they make strong emotional connections with.

Fraysexual

A person who identifies as fraysexual only experiences sexual attraction towards others upon first meeting them but that sexual attraction fades as they become familiar with them. Fraysexuals often described as the opposite of demisexual.

Reciprosexual

Reciprosexuals do not experience sexual attraction unless they realize that the other person is already sexually attracted to them.

In terms of gender identity sexual attraction falls into more precise categories. Gender identity and sexual orientation are independent and asexuals can experience romantic and sexual attraction towards people of the opposite gender, the same gender, multiple genders or all genders. Asexuals can identify with different sexual orientations based on gender and romantic attraction. They can be pansexual and asexual, homosexual and reciprosexual.

Although the asexual flag can be used to represent the asexual spectrum, a flag was created that represents all identities within the asexual spectrum was created by Tumblr user Potionflags in July, 2020 and is widely accepted by the asexual community. The flag consists of four horizontal stripes which are dark blue/black, purple, light grey and red. Dark blue/black represents the asexual community, it’s history, and solidarity, purple represents asexuality of all kinds; light grey represents diversity in experiences and types of attraction and red represents self determination, pride in one’s identity, and acceptance of oneself and others’ asexuality.

 

DISCRIMINATION AGAINST ASEXUAL PEOPLE (ACEPHOBIA)

Acephobia can be defined as a dislike or prejudice against asexuals and asexuality. It encompasses a range of negative attitudes, behaviours, and feelings toward asexuals; negative attitudes which may be manifested in discrimination, hate crimes, dehumanisation and the refusal to accept asexuality as a sexual orientation.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, it is important to understand asexuality and asexual spectrum identities in order to help others understand the asexual spectrum identities and aid visibility as asexuals experience erasure and face discrimination in their everyday lives.

WRITTEN BY THE DULLAHAN FOR PrideTV

References

Acephobia.  (n.d).  Retrieved from:  https://lgbt-plus.fandom.com/wiki/Acephobia?comments_page=1

 

https://lgbta.wikia.org/wiki/Asexual Spectrum

 

Asexuality.  (2020).          Retrieved           from:   http://wiki.asexuality.org/Asexuality

 

Boskey, E. (2019). What Does It Mean to Be on the Asexual Spectrum?

Retrieved    from:

https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-does-it-mean-to-be-asexual-4584349

 

Ferguson, S. (2019). What Does It Mean To Be Asexual?  Retrieved from: https://www.healthline.com/health/what-is-asexual

 

Pasquier, M. (2018). Explore the Spectrum: Guide to Finding your

Ace Community. Retrieved from:

https://www.glaad.org/amp/ace-guide-finding-your-community

The Asexual Umbrella. (n.d.). Retrieved from     https://acesandaros.org/learn/the-asexual-umbrella