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Alternative sexual identities event.


Christinanc93

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Christinanc93

Hey! So for my new internship, I will be doing an event (or several events) to raise awareness about alternative sexual identity, including asexuality, pansexuality, bisexuality, gender queer, androgynous, and if you have any suggestions for identities to cover, I will take that too. What sort of stuff would you like to see with an event like this?

I really appreciate your feedback!

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So your sexual identities presentation can be extended to include other gender identities as well? Cool! Where's your internship at?

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Christinanc93

Yes, actually, it's supposed to, and it might become more than one day, might become a week long thing, it a series. It's in the LGBT Resource Center in the MOSAIC office at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. How's that for alphabet soup? LGBT resource center in MOSAIC at UCCS.

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It's cool if you're going to talk about sexual identities, romantic identities, and gender identities, but be clear about the distinction between those three things. They're different and distinct. (I actually don't know if you've considered romantic identities like aromanticism or panromaniticism but romantic identities need more awareness so I would recommend it.)

If you do talk about those three types of identities and not just sexual identities, I would recommend calling your event something else, like "sexual, romantic, and gender minorities," or something more inclusive like that.

If you do end up just talking about sexual identities though, you might want to shy away from calling them "alternative identities" because the word "alternative" makes it sound like a choice. That's how it sounds to me, anyway.

You could talk about identities somewhere on the asexual (and aromantic?) spectrums too, like demisexuality. It would also be cool if you could find people who are queer minorities and ask them to speak about their experiences, though you'd have to remind people that there's a lot of variety in each identity and everyone will have different experiences.

It's awesome that you're doing an event like this. Best of luck. :)

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You mention androgynous. Androgyne is the proper gender title; androgynous is just looking so. Androgyne is the noun form of androgynous, but because no one uses it we use it as a gender for being a combination of female and male. Some people include "or neither" but the word literally means "male-female-posessing" so that's impossible for them term to hold that meaning (not to mention that would be Agender). If they are a combination of both and neither then that is called Demiandrogyne. Androgynous is a gender expression (not a gender) and Androgyne is the gender, just like Butch is a gender expression; expressing masculinely/what is associated with males, but female is their gender. Gender expression and actual gender are two different things. Androgynous people also do not always identify as a combination of male and female, so it being called a gender is very misleading.

The following may be alot of terms, but they are not created for the hell of it, but because there are people who experience them. (i.e. Sexual and romantic attraction can be felt separately.) I would call the ones that do not specify who you're attracted to as sub-orientations; needed details. I also think Aromantic/Gray-romantic (referring to rare) Sexuals are far more common than we know. And informing them of it may reveal which partners a Gray-romantic should pursue. I've heard sexual people say "you just haven't found the right person." Is this from self-experience? Do they act on horneyness and decent looks? Do they rarely experience romantic attraction or only after a certain bond? Do they prefer the feeling it produces when they're also romantically attracted? Sexual performance doesn't seem to be the case for their lack of enjoyment.

  • Pansexual- A persons sex is not a contributing factor in their interest. (Its alternative title Omni is not associated with this indifference, so in this orientation they may be attracted to someone because they are physically male, physically female, etc.) Isn't this the same thing as Bisexual? If you consider them to not be interested in the sex of their partner, then yes, but it's more of a politically correct term because Bi/two does not include intersex, a trans person who does not want surgery, or a trans person with only lower or upper surgery. Bisexual people can also not be open to dating the aforementioned people, so it's still an accurate term. As well as Bi technically meaning any two so it could be any two. Someone who's still attracted to their partner after reassignment surgery isn't necessarily Pan; this situation is just their one exception on how they'd date someone of the sex they're not attracted to.
  • Polysexual- sexually attracted to many but not all sexes (e.g. only attracted to people with a specific genital; they'd date a trans man with no bottom surgery, a woman, a breastless woman, but no one with a penis)
  • Androsexual- sexual attraction toward any type of male (trans, etc.) (or people who are genderqueer, thus do not identify as the same or opposite of the person they're interested in and the terms homo and hetero feel inaccurate)
  • Mascusexual- sexually attracted to masculinity (a type of Pansexual) (some people confuse it with Androsexual; andro means male, mascu refers to masculine; they're obviously not the same)
  • Gynosexual- sexual attraction toward any type of female (trans, etc.) (or people who are genderqueer, thus do not identify as the same or opposite of the person they're interested in and the terms homo and hetero feel inaccurate)
  • Femsexual- sexually attracted to femininity (a type of Pansexual) (some people confuse it with Gynosexual; gyno means female, fem refers to feminine; they're obviously not the same)
  • Androgynosexual- sexual attraction toward androgynous looking people (a version of Pansexual)
  • Skoliosexual- sexually attracted to non-binary gendered people
  • Burstsexual- sexual attraction coming and going in random bursts
  • Recipsexual- asexual until asked out/only feels sexual attraction after someone shows interest.
  • Quoisexual- basically being unable to tell the difference between other attractions. In this case, they think their feelings are sexual but aren't sure. Some may not be able to tell the difference between sexual feelings and arousal from erotica (just a bodily reaction to stimuli/the suggestion of sexual pleasure). Others may not be able to tell the difference between sensual attraction (desire for non-sexual physical contact) and sexual attraction (someone arousing them and they desire/have the impulse to do sexual things to/with someone else; indifference is not desire). Perhaps this confusion can be corrected under better information, perhaps not. Its old term was WTFsexual, which needed a change for obvious reasons.
  • Sapiosexual- sexually attracted to intelligent people (a form of Pansexual?)
  • Gray-asexual/Gray-A/Gray-sexual (depending on which side they swing more towards)- an umbrella term that includes anything between having sexual attraction and not; they may have characteristics of both or at different times. (This includes Demisexual, Lithsexual, etc., and others that have not been named yet. Some people may experience it rarely, some may experience it under select conditions, etc.)
  • Demisexual- sexual attraction after a certain bond (not the same as demi-consent)
  • Cupiosexual- someone who does not find others sexually enticing but desires sex. They may have standards or preferences for other reasons.
  • Autosexual- sexually attracted to oneself (due to its root word it can be confused with self-sexual, but asexuals can masturbate so it's of no use in any other way)
  • Hyposexual- an exceedingly low sex-drive/drive to act sexually (doctors only diagnose it if the patient has a problem with their sex-drive, but people can identify with it if they want)
  • Hypersexual- disorder wise it means sex addiction; that of an OCD or ICD (impulsive control disorder), but alone it can just mean a high sex-drive/desire for sex.
  • Objectumsexual- sexually attracted to inanimate objects
  • Ensenisexual- sexual attraction under strong emotion(s) (sad, angry, rivalry, etc.)
  • Fictosexual- only sexually attracted to fictional characters; book, comic, animated, or live-action (not the actor in general). Occasional sexual attraction to fictional characters while still being able to be sexually attracted to real people is just a fetish.
  • Lithsexual/(alternative titles but less known:) Akoisexual/Aposexual- essentially a negative to indifferent reaction to sexual reciprocation; more specifically the reciprocation causing (over time or immediately) indifference, loss of interest, or repulsion. Some Liths avoid the reciprocator.

(Lith's History: Lith was inspired by the lesbian term Stone, which means a lesbian who does not want to be stimulated during sex. It's supposedly said that some lesbians take offence to the 'taking of their term', but Lith is a rock term so I don't see the problem/there wouldn't be one if the inspiration wasn't made public. But to avoid their dismay, people came up with Akoi; Japanese for green tree, and Ap/Apo; Greek for "away from/separate/lack or absence of"; which covers all the types of Lith and doesn't leave the root word open to a metaphor unlike the previous two. Its creator used Ap, but that's actually used before a vowel so the proper prefix is Apo.)

Lith/Apo is an umbrella term so parts of it are starting to be defined:

  • Apathsexual- the orientation form of "sex indifferent." It does not specify if the person does or does not have sexual attraction, just that they are indifferent of receiving it. Just like Asexuals, this does not mean they cannot enjoy it in any way, but they have no drive for it.
  • Fraysexual- (perhaps also known as reverse-demisexual) sexual attraction fading away (does not specify that the reason cannot be because of repulsion or a bond, so it can be a type of Lith)
  • Requiesexual- limited endurance of that emotion/ loses interest, gets turned off, or stressed if the partner is around more frequently and needs breaks. (This can be thought of as an introvertive response to reciprocation, but it is most certainly above the introvertive norm) Some may want to see their partner once a week and others once a month or longer. (May be a form of Lithsexual or Burstsexual.)

Autochroissexual aka Anegosexual was not originally created as an orientation; it's creator literally meant someone who gets aroused by erotica but does not desire to have sex with what's on screen (e.g. animal porn is arousing but they most likely don't desire sex with them) (i.e. an asexual or allosexual can be 'Anego'). According to a study, most women (assumibly allosexual) are 'Anego' while men rarely are. Allosexuals even feel sexual attraction in two different orders; so it's not disassociation. 90% of men and 10% of women experience desire for sex first and sexual arousal after, while 90% of women and 10% of men experience arousal first, which then triggers the desire for sex. It's even common for the two to not mach up; i.e. getting aroused and not desiring sex/masturbation, or desiring sex/masturbation but not getting aroused. So arousal is not sexual attraction and thus not a sexual orientation. And a majority of Asexuals masturbate. Masturbatory habits do not always reflect someones sexuality. There are studies to show why the body reacts to the suggestion of sexual pleasure with sexual arousal. Some allosexuals know sexual arousal is not sexual attraction and some don't (since that order is how it is for them). So that makes more sense on why the doctor made such an inaccurate term. If someone wants to be proud of it then they can go by Libidoist Asexual. The opposite being Non-libidoist; someone who does not masturbate (for an allosexual this would also include no desire to act on their sexual attraction).


Also, if you're talking about Asexuality (and i hope at least mention Aromanticism) then i suggest telling them different types of attractions, as well as queerplatonc relationships. And inform them that Physical Attraction is an inaccurate phrase.

My list of different types of attractions:

Note: The desire to act in a certain way can be separate from the attraction (i.e. sexual attraction with no desire for sex, or no sexual attraction with a desire for sex), but the two are typically together. They're also all typically felt with romantic attraction (and why there can be confusion between attractions) but aren't needed to make it valid. Other than romantic attraction, obviously, they can all be felt platonically, separately and in different combinations.

· Sexual attraction - the impulse/urge/compulsion to have sex with a specific person; to do genital involving things to their body.

· Romantic attraction - an emotion; so it doesn't translate well into words, but it can be inadequately put as soft/warm/fuzzy feelings with some degree of fixation (at least in comparison to one's normality with others). Some people have a physical reaction to the feeling and others don’t (i.e. butterflies in their stomach, heart rate increase [though those are also symptoms of platonic nervousness], dreamy mindset, anxious euphoria, infatuation, etc.). It's also possible to find someone charming without romantic attraction. (look up charming's definition/synonyms for further clarification)

· Aesthetic attraction - the pull to look at someone because of their looks and or mannerisms. It's different from recognizing good looks/what is aesthetically pleasing.

· Emotional attraction - the fixation on someone because of their emotions (their optimism, stoicness, etc.), and by extent personality. I would compare it to having a favorite character or admirance.

· Sensual attraction - the urge to have non-genital physical contact. Platonically displaying this above the norm qualifies as a type of queerplatonic relationship (QPR). I would compare it to how many people have the urge to act toward their pets. Though this term is typically applied to other humans. There are 3 forms of sensual attraction; platonic, romantic (which only differ by chaste kissing), and sexual (in the sense that it’s done for sexual arousal, not because it includes sex/genital contact --and it’s still under asexuality as a kink).

· Platonic attraction (aka a squish; a play on the romantic word crush) - the strong urge to know or befriend someone.

Physical attraction is an inaccurate word and can be intended and interpreted as three different attractions; aesthetic, sensual, and sexual. The sexual public uses this and coined it because they feel all of their attractions at once, as well as it being a basic emotion which enforces their inability to see a point in looking any deeper. (Much like people not knowing that the faint taste in water is due to minerals, and pure H2O is literally tasteless-- though actually unhealthy because it will then absorb minerals from whatever it touches; i.e. damaging your mouth.)

Queerplatonic relationship (QPR): a platonic relationship that has characteristic(s) associated with a romantic relationship. It can be an importance/closeness stronger than the best friend norm, displaying platonic sensual attraction above the norm (only differing from romantic sensual attraction with chaste kissing, although preferring chaste kissing or no kissing does not make one’s feelings unromantic), friends with sexual benefits, romantically pleasing someone they platonically love (QP to one and romantic to the other, although it's their decision on what they call the relationship), or any combination of those. They may or may not have monogamy, live together, have kids, or look like a couple to the public. Romantics and Aromantics can have QPRs.

Being Asensual is also possible; having no sensual attraction. This word is more useful for romantics because platonically it would only be of use if they're touch averse; which they should just go by. Just like Asexuals, Asensuals can have an array of reactions to receiving what they do not feel in return. They can be indifferent, averse, repulsed, or morally enjoy it. There is also Demisensual and Gray-sensual.

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Christinanc93

This is awesome thank you! I was definitely planning on talking about romantic, platonic, and sensual attraction on the night I talk about asexuality, and thank you a ton for the lists of identities and such, there's so much I don't think of. You guys are giving me awesome information.

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Perhaps examples of Queerplatonic relationships could help them understand it. Currently, the only QPR that comes to mind is JD and Terk from Scrubs

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  • 4 months later...

Yes, actually, it's supposed to, and it might become more than one day, might become a week long thing, it a series. It's in the LGBT Resource Center in the MOSAIC office at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. How's that for alphabet soup? LGBT resource center in MOSAIC at UCCS.

I go to UCCS! I was actually trying to find whether or not the school had anything for asexuals. I wasn't sure. I don't know anyone else, plus I only recently actually came out to anyone as asexual.

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Thanks Star Bit for the complete glossary but Fictosexuality is not a fetish, rather a kind of orientation/orientation variation. In fetishism, something is a factor to provoke arousement while feeling affection is not a fetish. Eh, you forgot about histosexuals :)

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I didn't say Fictosexual was a fetish, i said the people who only occasionally feel sexual attraction to fictional characters (and can otherwise feel sexual attraction to people) is just a fetish.

Thanks for liking it though; i had some inaccurate info that I'd never of fixed otherwise; namely Autochrois and sexual attraction.

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