The Asexual Spectrum: A Guide To Asexual Identities
Asexual Meaning and Definition
These days, it can feel like the world is obsessed with the birds and the bees. From ‘sex sells’ advertising to gratuitous love scenes on TV, it can be hard to avoid. But for many people worldwide, the act itself has little or no interest. Since the 1970s, people have been using the term Asexual to describe their lack of attraction.
In recent years, the internet has instigated a thriving community who share the equally valid nuances of their identity. However people identify within the Ace umbrella, there’s room for everyone on the Asexual spectrum.
Simply put, Asexuality means experiencing little or no sexual attraction to other people. This can manifest itself in myriad ways, as explored in the subheadings below. Some Ace people consider it a sexuality in its own right, others see it as a lack of sexuality. Some Ace people identify as queer, whereas others don’t.
Asexual people can feel romantic attraction for others of one or multiple genders, or they may identify as AroAce (Aromantic Asexual). As a famous sign at a Pride parade once put it: ‘If sex can exist without love, why can’t love exist without sex?’
Asexual people engage with sex in different ways. Some are repulsed by the idea of it, have never had it and never wish to. Others are indifferent to it, and may have sex with their partner as a bonding activity. Others are sex-favourable, meaning although they don’t experience high levels of sexual attraction, the act itself can be enjoyable for them.
Unfortunately, one of the main issues facing Asexual people today is erasure. Many Ace people feel dismissed by both heteronormative people and members of the queer community.
Whilst the current acronym for the latter is LGBTQIA+, which includes Asexual, many people still deny Asexuals access into queer spaces. It is one of the most misunderstood identities, so hopefully this article will shed some light on how varied and unique the Asexual spectrum is.
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The Asexual Spectrum
In the past, Asexuality was defined as a medical condition. Like with homosexuality or transness, doctors and scientist believed something was wrong with you.
The conclusions they drew were very black and white – either you were ‘normal’ and had a ‘healthy’ libido, or you were Asexual. They hypothesised that it was ‘caused’ by trauma, genetics or shame.
Today, we know better. Understanding of Asexuality has increased around the world, and according to recent reports, around 1% of the world’s population (70 million people) are Ace.
With the number this high, it would be foolish to assume that they all experience Asexuality the same way. Here’s where the spectrum comes in. All the identities below are part of the Asexual spectrum, and have been outlined through online and in-person discourse over the last few decades.
Allosexual means not Asexual, that is, experiencing attraction. Many people believe that identities such as Demisexual and Graysexual, which still experience some attraction, belong on the Allosexual spectrum as opposed to the Ace one.
Reddit user 4foot11 described sexuality as a ‘dimmable light bulb.’ Asexuality is switched ‘off,’ Allosexual is switched ‘on,’ and anything in between, very dimmed to barely dimmed, is part of the spectrum of sexual attraction.
This is an ongoing debate within the Ace community, but it is important to remember that all identities are equally valid.
Asexuality Types and Identities
Asexual
This term has been included in the famous Kinsey scale since the 1940s, and encompasses anyone who experiences little or no sexual attraction. An Asexual activist group was established in 1981 which pushed the movement into mainstream civil rights conversations.
Demisexual
If one night stands and hookup culture aren’t your thing, you might be Demi. This refers to someone who experiences sexual attraction only to people they are emotionally attached to, whether that is friendship, romance, or love.
Graysexual
This term is ideal for people who experience some sexual attraction, but in an infrequent or inconsistent way, often at low levels.
Lithosexual
Have you ever been attracted to someone but when the opportunity to act upon it arises, you suddenly feel uncomfortable? Then you may be Lithosexual.
Aceflux
Many people experience periods of Asexuality of weeks or months, then suddenly feel attraction again. This term is for people whose sexuality, or lack thereof, fluctuates over time.
Acespike
Similar to Aceflux, but during periods of feeling attraction, it is brief and intense.
Fictosexual
Who hasn’t thought of Mr Darcy and wondered if any real man could live up to him? Jokes aside, Fictosexual refers to someone who experiences attraction only for fictional characters, whether they’re from movies, video games, books or anime.
Fraysexual
People who are attracted more to strangers, for example celebrities or a cutie on public transport, than people they know well. The more they get to know someone, the more they lose sexual interest.
Apothisexual
People who are sex-repulsed, who never want to engage in sexual activity. In the past, this is what all Asexuality was assumed to be.
Reciprosexual
As the name suggests, this label is for people who only experience sexual attraction to people who also feel attraction for them.
Caedsexual
Many people once experienced sexual attraction, but due to traumatic events, have lost this. They may choose to identify as Caedsexual.
Cupiosexual
Cupiosexuals are usually people who are sex-favourable, meaning they don’t experience sexual attraction but still desire or enjoy sexual relationships.
Requiessexual
If emotional exhaustion affects your levels of attraction to other people, then you may identify this way.
Aegosexual
If you enjoy seeing people have sexual and romantic relationships, whether in real life or in books and films, but have no interest in sex yourself, then you may be Aegosexual. To many, Allosexuality can be fascinating, and who doesn’t love a good rom-com?
Bellusexual
Similar to Aegosexual, this term refers to people who are interested in the idea or aesthetic of sex, but don’t wish to partake in the activity themselves.
Myrsexual
If one microlabel alone isn’t right for you, you may be Myrsexual. This means someone who experiences multiple overlapping identities on the Asexual spectrum.
Libidoist Asexual
Someone who doesn’t experience sexual attraction to other people, but still feels a sex drive, which they may deal with through masturbation or sex.
