Symbols for sexual orientation

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. 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]

Terminology

The prefix allo- comes from the Greek word Állos, meaning “other”, “different”, or “atypical”.[5] 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. Other terms to describe non-asexual people include zedsexual,[1] or simply sexual.[6]

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.[7] 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'.[8]

Society and culture

Asexuals are estimated to make up 1% or less of the total population and about 1.7% of the LGBT population.[9] 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 of this norm.[10] 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.[11]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "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. ↑ "Definition of ALLO-". www.merriam-webster.com. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
  6. ↑ "General FAQ | The Asexual Visibility and Education Network | asexuality.org". www.asexuality.org. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
  7. ↑ 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.
  8. ↑ 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.
  9. ↑ "1.7% of sexual minority adults identify as asexual". Williams Institute. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
  10. ↑ 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.
  11. ↑ Popova, Milena (2019-05-07). Sexual Consent. The MIT Press. doi:10.7551/mitpress/12108.001.0001. ISBN 978-0-262-35359-5.
Look up allosexual or zedsexual in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.


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