Asexual

The term asexual usually refers to a person who experiences low or no sexual attraction towards others. Other types of attraction can be experienced such as sensual, aesthetic, romantic, or physical. It is important to note that asexuality does not always mean abstinence or sex aversion. Plenty of asexuals enjoy having sex, they just don't experience sexual attraction much or at all. Asexual people can have any romantic leaning that allosexual people also have. They form bonds and romantic feelings with people in much the same way, only with a lessened or total lack of sexual attraction to go along with it. Asexuality may also be divided into three major groups: - Sex Favourable: Little to no sexual attraction, but comfortable with having and may even enjoy having sex as an act. Different asexual people have different reasons for wanting to have sex and feelings toward the act. - Sex Neutral: Little to no sexual interest or attraction, and not particularly caring about sex. May or may not bother with sexual intercourse, depending on the person. - Sex Averse: Not only little to no sexual interest, but often a repulsion to the idea of having sex, viewing sex, or the like. This should not be considered the same as being against sex in general. A sex negative asexual is referring to their internal feelings and reactions about sex, and not puritan feelings about sexual intercourse in general. ### Asexuality and the Asexuality Spectrum In both speech and writing, asexual is sometimes shortened to "ace." Because there are many different types of asexuality, some people will also refer to themselves as "ace spec," "aspect" or on the asexuality spectrum. Aspec is an umbrella term for anyone on the asexual and/or aromantic spectrums. Because both are spectrums, they encompass a wide range of experiences, from a complete lack of attraction to feeling it only under specific circumstances. This identity is often best understood through the split attraction model, which differentiates between romantic and sexual attraction. This allows for a more nuanced understanding of a person's desires; for example, a person can be asexual but still experience romantic attraction, or be aromantic but still experience sexual attraction. As an identity that often requires a person to deconstruct and rebuild traditional relationship scripts, aspec aligns perfectly with the philosophy of relational anarchy. Aspec people often aim to build intimacy and commitment around values and forms of connection that are not reliant on romance or sexuality. ### Different Types of Asexuality Some sexual orientations considered to be on the asexual spectrum include: - Accipiosexual - Autosexual - Cupiosexual - Demisexual - Fraysexual - Graysexual - Placiosexual - Pornosexual - Reciprosexual - Requissexual - Demiaroace