Allosexuality

Last updated

Allosexuality is the ability to experience sexual attraction, in contrast with asexuality. [1] [2] [3] [4] Individuals express this identity as allosexual, sometimes shortened to allo; synonymous terms include zedsexual, [5] [6] or simply sexual. [7]

Contents

The identity does not reflect other aspects of sexual attraction, hence allosexuals can be heterosexual, gay, bisexual, or pansexual, for example. [2] Allosexual identity does not imply any particular experiences, or frequency, of sexual attraction or sexual encounters. [2]

Simplified diagram of the aromantic and asexual spectra A spec compass.svg
Simplified diagram of the aromantic and asexual spectra

Terminology

The prefix allo- comes from the Greek word Állos, meaning "other", "different", or "atypical". [8] [9] 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. [9]

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. [10] 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. Allosexuality makes asexuality one sexuality among others, rather than being a deviation from what is simply 'normal'. [11]

Society and culture

Asexuals are estimated to make up 1% or less of the total population and about 1.7% of the LGBT population. [12] 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. [13] 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. [14]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "What Does It Mean To Be Allosexual?". Dictionary.com. 2020-07-30. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Jalili, Candice (2020-10-23). "Allosexual". Cosmopolitan. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
  3. 1 2 Clark, Alyssa N.; Lefkowitz, Eva S.; Zimmerman, Corinne (2023-02-12). "Sexual and Affectionate Behaviors in Asexual and Allosexual Adults" . The Journal of Sex Research. 60 (2): 242–252. doi:10.1080/00224499.2022.2051161. ISSN   0022-4499. PMID   35316105. S2CID   247615390.
  4. ↑ Clark, Alyssa N.; Zimmerman, Corinne (2022-05-01). "Concordance Between Romantic Orientations and Sexual Attitudes: Comparing Allosexual and Asexual Adults" . Archives of Sexual Behavior. 51 (4): 2147–2157. doi:10.1007/s10508-021-02194-3. ISSN   1573-2800. PMID   35380311. S2CID   247955047.
  5. ↑ Dyer, Harriet (2022-05-31). The Little Book of LGBTQ+: An A-Z of Gender and Sexual Identities. Cleis Press. ISBN   978-1-62778-536-5.
  6. ↑ Decker, Julie Sondra (2015-10-13). The Invisible Orientation: An Introduction to Asexuality * Next Generation Indie Book Awards Winner in LGBT *. Simon and Schuster. 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. 1 2 Stepanyan, Araksya (2023-07-11). "English Neologisms of Ancient Greek and Latin Origin in the Field of Psychology". Foreign Languages in Higher Education. 27 (1 (34)). Yerevan State University: 16–33. doi: 10.46991/FLHE/2023.27.1.016 . ISSN   1829-2453.
  10. ↑ Burleson, Mary H; Trevathan, Wenda R; Gregory, W.Larry (May 2002). "Sexual behavior in lesbian and heterosexual women: relations with menstrual cycle phase and partner availability" . Psychoneuroendocrinology. 27 (4): 489–503. doi:10.1016/S0306-4530(01)00066-X. PMID   11912001. S2CID   24519130.
  11. ↑ Mollet, Amanda L.; Lackman, Brian. "Chapter 6 Allonormativity and Compulsory Sexuality". Encyclopedia of Queer Studies in Education. pp. 26–30. doi:10.1163/9789004506725_006.
  12. ↑ "1.7% of sexual minority adults identify as asexual". Williams Institute. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
  13. ↑ MacInnis, Cara C.; Hodson, Gordon (November 2012). "Intergroup bias toward "Group X": Evidence of prejudice, dehumanization, avoidance, and discrimination against asexuals" . Group Processes & Intergroup Relations. 15 (6): 725–743. doi:10.1177/1368430212442419. ISSN   1368-4302. S2CID   3056711.
  14. ↑ Popova, Milena (2019-05-07). Sexual Consent. The MIT Press. doi:10.7551/mitpress/12108.001.0001. ISBN   978-0-262-35359-5.


Gender symbols (4 colors).svg

This sexuality-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.