Allosexuality is the ability to experience sexual attraction. The term is often used to describe persons who are not asexual, or 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][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]
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