Allosexuality

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Allosexuality is the ability to experience sexual attraction and the lack of identification with asexuality.[1][2][3][4] Someone who experiences allosexuality is allosexual, sometimes shortened to allo. Other terms to describe non-asexual people include zedsexual,[5][6] or simply sexual.[7]

The term does not indicate the target of sexual attraction, meaning allosexual could describe someone who is heterosexual, gay, bisexual, or pansexual, for example.[2] It also does not indicate how often an individual experiences sexual attraction or participates in sex or sexual encounters.[2]

Simplified diagram of the aromantic and asexual spectra

Terminology

The prefix

allo- comes from the Greek word Állos, meaning "other", "different", or "atypical".[8]
It was attached to the suffix 'sexual' to create a term meaning "a person who experiences sexual attraction towards others". The structure parallels other sexuality terms such as homosexual, heterosexual, bisexual, pansexual, asexual, etc.

History

In a medicalized context, allosexual has been used in contrast to autosexual to describe sexual attraction towards others or sexual behavior between multiple people.[9] The term was coined by the asexual community, as a way to name and discuss the experiences of non-asexual people.[2] It is used to normalize asexuality and provide a term that can be used in conjunction with ace terminology. It makes it one sexuality among others, rather than being a deviation from what is simply 'normal'.[10]

Society and culture

Asexuals are estimated to make up 1% or less of the total population and about 1.7% of the LGBT population.[11] Since the majority of people would be classified as allosexual, it is viewed by some as the natural way of being and asexuality as a deviation from this norm.[12] Physical intimacy is considered an essential part of romantic relationships among allosexuals, which can complicate relationships between asexual and allosexual individuals.[3] Allonormativity, or the concept that all humans experience sexual attraction or desire a sexual relationship, can lead to the isolation and marginalization of asexual individuals.[13]

See also

References

  1. ^ "What Does It Mean To Be Allosexual?". Dictionary.com. 2020-07-30. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
  2. ^ a b c d Jalili, Candice (2020-10-23). "Allosexual". Cosmopolitan. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
  3. ^
    S2CID 247615390
    .
  4. S2CID 247955047
    .
  5. ISBN 978-1-62778-536-5
    .
  6. ISBN 978-1-5107-0064-2
    .
  7. ^ "General FAQ". The Asexual Visibility and Education Network. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
  8. ^ "Definition of ALLO-". www.merriam-webster.com. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
  9. S2CID 24519130
    .
  10. doi:10.1163/9789004506725_006
    .
  11. ^ "1.7% of sexual minority adults identify as asexual". Williams Institute. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
  12. S2CID 3056711
    .
  13. ISBN 978-0-262-35359-5
    .

External links

Look up allosexual or zedsexual in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.


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