The Definition of Asexuality
So, to start off this blog let’s begin with asexuality.
Being asexual usually means to have no sexual attraction to another human being. Of course, there is a spectrum of what asexuality is but that’ll be discussed later on. Asexual people most likely don’t have sex but aren’t completely disgusted by it. There are absolutely people who do have sex and identify as asexual, and some just want to be romantic with a partner.
People can identify as asexual for several reasons: they simply don’t like the idea of sex, a traumatic event happened in their life and sex is uncomfortable, or sex really does disgust them and all of those reasons are completely valid.
Remember asexuality is a spectrum, just like aromanticism. Speaking of which…
Definition of Aromanticism
Aromanticism is, by definition, the exact opposite of asexuality funnily enough.
Being aromantic is to have little to no romantic attraction toward anyone at all. Most of the time aromantic people have more sexual attraction than anything. And of course, like said before aromantic people can love and be loved in a completely other way such as aesthetically, intellectually, platonically, sexually, physically or sensually.
Without a doubt asexual people can feel love like this as well, but I wanted to mention that aromantic people are indeed able to love.
The Aromantic/Asexual Spectrum: Somehow Still Unknown Forgotten Kept Secret Unfamiliar
Like said before there is an aromantic and asexual spectrum. And yet people don’t seem to know that and only think were single emotionless people. So, let’s use this time to show them our rainbow of a spectrum.
- Demisexual: it means to have sexual attraction after feeling a close emotional or even romantic kind of bond with a person. However, this isn’t a choice this is a feeling so respect that to the fullest extent.
- Graysexual: graysexual people are people of the asexual spectrum who feel sexual attraction on some occasion. Sometimes people only feel sexual attraction a couple times or once or twice. It’s different for all sorts of people, and that’s super valid.
- Quoisexual: those who don’t understand or don’t feel the experiences or the concepts of sexual attraction. Or even those who aren’t sure if they can experience sexual attraction. Almost like a more extreme form of asexuality in a way.
- Fraysexual: being fraysexual means that you have sexual feelings at first, but they gradually recede over time, usually when a bond begins to be formed. Of course, that doesn’t mean a fraysexual person can’t have an emotional bond, but their sexual feelings are purely gone.
- Caedsexual: people who are caedsexual begin to believe they’re allosexual (to have regular sexual feeling and desires) at some point but are now asexual because of a past trauma. This micro label is specifically made and used for those with trauma and suffer from ptsd so please be respectful.
- Caedromantic: like caedsexual, people who have suffered from traumas and ptsd believed they were alloromantic and are now aromantic. Same as caedsexual please respecful of these sexualities.
- Recipromantic: someone who does not feel only sexual attraction until knowing someone else has romantic attraction for them first. Then they begin to feel romantic feelings toward said person.
- Myrromantic: someone under this label is on the aromantic spectrum but who isn’t sure about where they lie. Sometimes they can identify with several aromantic identities, or they can change at rapid pace. This label is usually a safe space for people who are still figuring themselves out or it can truly be where people are. Remember that all these identities are valid.
- Cupioromantic/sexual: this is an orientation for people who don’t feel romantic or sexual attraction but want to truly feel it. I’d describe myself as someone under both of these labels, and I’ll say that it really is a heartbreaking experience, for me at least. It is absolutely different for everyone, that’s just my experience.
If you’re still here, well thanks for reading this to the end! I’d love to know what you think, your opinions, and what else should be brought to light. I can’t wait to write about even more topics, not just about lgbtqia+ but other things too.
Sources:
- 11 FAQS About Being an Aromantic Asexual: Meaning, Signs, and More
- Asexual/Aromantic Education
- What Does It Mean to Be Aromantic Person?
- What Does It Mean to Be on the Asexual Spectrum?
- Asexual spectrum- From Ace to Z
- Aromantic spectrum- From Aro to Z
- 5 Asexual People Explain What “Asexual” Means To Them
- Coming Out as Aromantic- Everything You Need to Know