The Homosaurus International LGBTQ+ Linked Data Vocabulary Wants Your Help!

[Heart]

Hello everyone! I'm here to introduce Bri, who is working with the The Homosaurus International LGBTQ+ linked data vocabulary. They are looking for help adding asexual and aromantic umbrella vocabulary to the project, and who better to ask than the community itself.

 

The board has talked about this and is enthusiastic about this project of Bri's. We'd like to support them, so we're bringing this to the community.

 

I'll be monitoring this thread, so I am asking everyone to please stay on topic. I know that definition debates can get heated around here, so let's remember that this is a vis/ed project not hot box. Please keep all comments respectful and direct commentary to definitions and not to personal attacks. Let's do our best to keep this constructive and on track.

 

It's normal and natural to have multiple definitions of a word, so let's work together as best we can!

 

 for everyone who participates!

 

[Bri's intro post to follow, with FAR more details, I promise  ]

[brimwats]

Hi AVEN!

My name is Bri Watson, I'm demisexual and long-time lurker at AVEN, but I'm really excited to be a first time poster. I'm a PhD. student at UBC, working on the naming of marginalized groups in libraries, archives, and museums. Most cultural heritage institutions use vocabularies designed by a bunch of dead white men in the 1800s , so they leave a lot to be desired. For example, until recently libraries only had the subject heading "Asexuality (plant reproduction)" so there was no way to efficiently search for books on asexuality until recently. I wrote an article about how the term was the Library of Congress Subject Headings (available, here, happy to provide a copy).

 

 

I'm also working with the Canadian LGBTQ+ archive Arquives to set up an asexuality collection and I'm working to collect asexual research and cultural ephemera for that archive so that future historians can write histories and articles about this movement.

The post I'm making today is connected to all of this. Specifically, I'm here as a member of The Homosaurus International LGBTQ+ linked data vocabulary (https://homosaurus.org ) that can be (and is) used in libraries, archives, museums, to catalog millions of items. Over the past couple of years I've worked to add ace and aro terminology. However, I wanted to given AVEN community members to check current terms, add new ones, revise out of date terms, and address inaccurate relationships among terms.

 

Below, I've added all of the relevant terms I could find in the Homosaurus for ace and aro identities and people.

 

 

The terms are in a specific format that might be unfamiliar. Here's an example using cake:

TERM: Cake
    SN (Scope Note): Cake is a flour confection made from flour, sugar, and other ingredients, and is usually baked.

    BT (Broader Term): Pastry

    NT (Narrower Term): Chocolate Cake
    NT: Vanilla Cake
    NT: (etc)

    RT (Related Term): Cupcakes

 

Each TERM must have a Scope Note and at least one Broader Term. Generally, a term will only have one broader term, but Homosaurus can support multiple if there's a need for multiple. Not all terms will have Narrower or Related terms, but they can have as many as make sense.

 

 

Broader and Narrower terms are meant to indicate a hierarchy. For example, a Labradoodle would be a Narrower Term of a Poodle (because it's a type of poodle) and Poodle would be a narrower term of Dog, but a Cocker Spaniel would not be a narrower term of a Poodle (but it could be a related term!). Finally Related Terms just assert that there are connections between the current subject term and another one. Feel free to ask me any q's if this isn't clear!

 

 

If you want to propose a new term or fixing an older one, don't worry too much about getting it precisely right, as that is what I (and the other Homosaurus board members) are for.

 

 

How to help!

If you've read this far (bless you!) and you're interested in helping, how can you do it?

 

First off, start by reading/skimming the currently existing list of terms. Make note of anything you notice that's missing, wrong, or should be changed.

 

 

There are two different types of proposals you can make, and below are handy templates for doing so! The first type is a CHANGE proposal, which is when you want to change something about the currently existing terms. The second type is a ADD proposal, which you use if you notice something missing that you think is important.

CHANGE Proposal

CHANGE: (insert heading here)
TYPE: Change SN/BT/RT/NT/OTHER
DESCRIPTION:

OTHER NOTES: add things here you think are important for us to know

ADD Proposal

ADD: (insert new heading here)
Scope Note: insert definition here
Broader Term: insert any broader terms here
Related Term: insert any related terms here
Narrower Term: insert any narrower terms here

OTHER NOTES: add things here you think are important for us to know

Terms:

 

TERM Asexuality (https://homosaurus.org/v3/homoit0000004)     
    Scope Note A sexual orientation generally characterized by a lack of sexual attraction or desire 
    Broader Term(s) Sexual orientation 
    Related Term(s) "Aromantic people 
    RT Aromanticism 
    RT Asexual people 
    RT Compulsory sexuality 
    RT Demisexuality 
    RT LGBTQ+ 
    RT LGBTQIA 
    RT Sexual abstinence 
    RT Virginity"
    Narrower Term(s) n/a
        
TERM Asexual people (https://homosaurus.org/v3/homoit0000071)     
    Scope Note Individuals who generally do not experience sexual attraction or desire; do not use to describe individuals practicing celibacy or abstinence for religious or cultural reasons 
    Broader Term(s) Sexual minorities
    Related Term(s) "Asexual families 
    RT Asexual parents 
    RT Asexuality 
    RT Celibacy 
    RT Children of asexual people 
    RT Compulsory sexuality 
    RT Demisexual people 
    RT Megasexual people
    Narrower Term(s) n/a
        
TERM Asexual authors (https://homosaurus.org/v3/homoit0001747)     
    Scope Note Creator of a written work who is known to be asexual 
    Broader Term(s) LGBTQ+ authors
    Related Term(s) "Aromantic authors 
    RT Asexual fiction 
    RT Bisexual authors 
    RT Gay authors
    RT Intersex authors
    RT Lesbian authors
    RT LGBTQ+ books 
    RT Queer authors
    RT Transgender authors
    RT Two-Spirit authors"
    Narrower Term(s) n/a
        
TERM Asexual families (https://homosaurus.org/v3/homoit0001758)     
    Scope Note Families, whether biological, adoptive, or chosen, in which one or more individuals identify as asexual 
    Broader Term(s) LGBTQ+ families
    Related Term(s) "Asexual parents 
    RT Asexual people 
    RT Children of asexual people"
    Narrower Term(s) n/a
        
TERM Asexual fiction (https://homosaurus.org/v3/homoit0001754)     
    Scope Note Written works of fiction featuring asexual characters or addressing asexual themes 
    Broader Term(s) LGBTQ+ fiction
    Related Term(s) "Aromantic fiction 
    RT Asexual authors 
    RT Bisexual fiction 
    RT Gay fiction 
    RT Intersex fiction 
    RT Lesbian fiction 
    RT LGBTQ+ books 
    RT Queer fiction 
    RT Transgender fiction 
    RT Two-Spirit fiction
    Narrower Term(s) n/a
        
TERM Asexual parents (https://homosaurus.org/v3/homoit0001762)     
    Scope Note Parents who are asexual 
    Broader Term(s) LGBTQ+ parents
    Related Term(s) "Asexual families 
    RT Asexual people 
    RT Children of asexual people"
    Narrower Term(s) n/a
                
TERM Asexual people in the workplace (https://homosaurus.org/v3/homoit0002037)     
    Scope Note The presence of asexual people in the workplace, including acceptance of and issues faced by asexual workers 
    Broader Term(s) LGBTQ+ people in the workplace
    Related Term(s) n/a
    Narrower Term(s) n/a
        
TERM Asexual survivors of bullying (https://homosaurus.org/v3/homoit0002004)     
    Scope Note Asexual people who have experienced and survived bullying due to their sexual identity; follow the individual's preference for "victims" or "survivors" whenever possible 
    Broader Term(s) LGBTQ+ survivors of bullying
    Related Term(s) n/a
    Narrower Term(s) n/a
        
TERM Asexual victims of bullying (https://homosaurus.org/v3/homoit0001995)     
    Scope Note Asexual people who have experienced bullying due to their sexual identity and may or may not have survived; follow the individual's preference for "victims" or "survivors" whenever possible 
    Broader Term(s) LGBTQ+ victims of bullying
    Related Term(s) n/a
    Narrower Term(s) n/a
        
TERM Children of asexual people (https://homosaurus.org/v3/homoit0001766)     
    Scope Note Children who have one or more asexual parent 
    Broader Term(s) Children of LGBTQ+ people
    Related Term(s) "Asexual families 
    RT Asexual parents 
    RT Asexual people
    Narrower Term(s) n/a
        
TERM South Asian asexual people (https://homosaurus.org/v3/homoit0002051)     
    Scope Note Asexual people who belong to or are descended from the ethnolinguistic groups of South Asia 
    Broader Term(s) South Asian LGBTQ+ people
    Related Term(s) n/a
    Narrower Term(s) n/a
        
TERM Indian asexual people (https://homosaurus.org/v3/homoit0002059)     
    Scope Note Asexual people who were born in India or are of Indian descent. Do not conflate with the Indigenous peoples of the United States
    Broader Term(s) Indian LGBTQ+ people
    Related Term(s) n/a
    Narrower Term(s) n/a
        
        
TERM Arab asexual people (https://homosaurus.org/v3/homoit0002015)     
    Scope Note Asexual people who are from Arab countries, speak Arabic, and/or are descended from Arab peoples. Do not conflate with Muslim identity 
    Broader Term(s) Arab LGBTQ+ people
    Related Term(s) n/a
    Narrower Term(s) n/a
        
TERM  Compulsory sexuality (https://homosaurus.org/v3/homoit0001535)     
    Scope Note The belief that everyone should be either sexually available or in a sexual relationship. 
    Broader Term(s) Social norms 
    Related Term(s) Allosexual people 
    RT Allosexuality 
    RT Asexual people 
    RT Asexuality 
    RT Compulsory monogamy 
    RT Demisexual people 
    RT Demisexuality 
    RT LGBTQ+ discrimination
    Narrower Term(s) n/a
 

TERM Aromantic people (https://homosaurus.org/v3/homoit0000067)    
    Scope Note Individuals who do not generally experience romantic attraction or desire 
    Broader Term(s) Romantic minorities
    Related Term(s) Alloromantic people
    RT Amatonormativity
    RT Aromantic families
    RT Aromantic parents
    RT Aromanticism
    RT Asexuality
    RT Biromantic people
    RT Children of aromantic people
    RT Heteroromantic people
    RT Homoromantic people
    RT LGBTQ+ relationships
    RT Panromantic people
    Narrower Term(s) 
        
TERM Aromanticism (https://homosaurus.org/v3/homoit0001644)     
    Scope Note A romantic orientation generally characterized by a lack of romantic attraction or desire 
    Broader Term(s) Romantic orientation 
    Related Term(s) Alloromanticism 
    RT Aromantic people 
    RT Asexuality
    Narrower Term(s) n/a
        
TERM Alloromantic people (https://homosaurus.org/v3/homoit0001823)     
    Scope Note Individuals who experience romantic attraction or romantic desire in a frequent and consistent manner, often alongside sexual attraction 
    Broader Term(s) Alloromanticism 
    BT Aromantic people
    Related Term(s) 
    Narrower Term(s) Biromantic people 
    RT Heteroromantic people 
    RT Homoromantic people 
    RT Panromantic people
        
TERM Amatonormativity (https://homosaurus.org/v3/homoit0001532)     
    Scope Note The assumption that all people share a desire for romantic relationships and that this is a preferential life goal 
    Broader Term(s) Social norms
    Related Term(s) Aromantic people 
    RT Compulsory monogamy 
    RT LGBTQ+ discrimination
    Narrower Term(s) n/a
        
TERM Aromantic families (https://homosaurus.org/v3/homoit0001757)     
    Scope Note  Families, whether biological, adoptive, or chosen, in which one or more individuals identify as aromantic 
    Broader Term(s) LGBTQ+ families
    Related Term(s) Aromantic parents 
    RT Aromantic people 
    RT Children of aromantic people
    Narrower Term(s) n/a
        
TERM Aromantic parents (https://homosaurus.org/v3/homoit0001761)     
    Scope Note Parents who are aromantic 
    Broader Term(s) LGBTQ+ parents 
    Related Term(s) Aromantic families 
    RT Aromantic people 
    RT Children of aromantic people
    Narrower Term(s) 
        
TERM Aromantic authors (https://homosaurus.org/v3/homoit0001748)     
    Scope Note Creator of a written work who is known to be aromantic 
    Broader Term(s) LGBTQ+ authors
    Related Term(s) Aromantic fiction 
    RT Asexual authors 
    RT Bisexual authors 
    RT Gay authors 
    RT Intersex authors 
    RT Lesbian authors 
    RT LGBTQ+ books 
    RT Queer authors 
    RT Transgender authors 
    RT Two-Spirit authors
    Narrower Term(s) 
        
TERM Aromantic fiction (https://homosaurus.org/v3/homoit0001753)     
    Scope Note Written works of fiction featuring aromantic characters or addressing aromantic themes 
    Broader Term(s) LGBTQ+ authors
    Related Term(s) Aromantic authors 
    RT Asexual fiction 
    RT Bisexual fiction 
    RT Gay fiction 
    RT Intersex fiction 
    RT Lesbian fiction 
    RT LGBTQ+ books 
    RT Queer fiction 
    RT Transgender fiction 
    RT Two-Spirit fiction
    Narrower Term(s) 
        
TERM Children of aromantic people (https://homosaurus.org/v3/homoit0001765)     
    Scope Note  Children who have one or more aromantic parent 
    Broader Term(s) Children of LGBTQ+ people
    Related Term(s) Aromantic families 
    RT Aromantic parents 
    RT Aromantic people
    Narrower Term(s) 
        
TERM Demisexuality (https://homosaurus.org/v3/homoit0000343)     
    Scope Note A sexual orientation generally characterized by lack of sexual attraction to another person unless or until an emotional connection has been formed with that person 
    Broader Term(s) Sexual orientation
    Related Term(s)    Asexuality
    RT Compulsory sexuality
    RT Demigender identity
    RT Demiromanticism
    RT Demisexual people
    RT Megasexual people
    RT Megasexuality
    Narrower Term(s) n/a
        
TERM Demisexual people (https://homosaurus.org/v3/homoit0000344)     
    Scope Note Individuals who do not experience sexual attraction unless they have first formed a strong emotional connection with that person 
    Broader Term(s) Sexual identity 
    BT Sexual minorities 
    BT Sexual preference
    Related Term(s) Asexual people 
    RT Compulsory sexuality 
    RT Demiromantic people 
    RT Demisexuality 
    RT Sexual relationships
    Narrower Term(s) n/a
        
TERM Demiromanticism (https://homosaurus.org/v3/homoit0001986)     
    Scope Note Romantic orientation in which romantic attraction to other people is only felt in the presence of preexisting emotional bonds 
    Broader Term(s) Romantic orientation 
    Related Term(s) Demiromantic people 
    RT Demisexuality
    Narrower Term(s) n/a
        
TERM Demiromantic people (https://homosaurus.org/v3/homoit0001985)     
    Scope Note Individuals who experience romantic attraction to other people only in the presence of preexisting emotional bonds 
    Broader Term(s) Romantic minorities 
    Related Term(s) Demiromanticism 
    RT Demisexual people
    Narrower Term(s) n/a
        
TERM Greyromantic people (https://homosaurus.org/v3/homoit0001987)     
    Scope Note Individuals who experience rare, infrequent, or low-intensity romantic attraction 
    Broader Term(s) Romantic minorities 
    Related Term(s) Greyromanticism 
    RT Greysexual people
    Narrower Term(s) n/a
        
TERM Greyromanticism (https://homosaurus.org/v3/homoit0001988)     
    Scope Note An umbrella term for romantic orientations generally characterized by rare, infrequent, or low-intensity romantic attraction 
    Broader Term(s) Romantic orientation 
    Related Term(s) Greyromantic people 
    RT Greysexuality
    Narrower Term(s) n/a
        
TERM Greysexual people (https://homosaurus.org/v3/homoit0001627)     
    Scope Note People who experience infrequent, rare, or low-intensity sexual attraction 
    Broader Term(s) 
    Related Term(s) 
    Narrower Term(s) n/a
        
TERM Greysexuality (https://homosaurus.org/v3/homoit0001626)     
    Scope Note A sexual orientation generally characterized by infrequent, rare, or low-intensity sexual attraction 
    Broader Term(s) Sexual minorities 
    Related Term(s) Greyromantic people 
    RT Greysexuality
    Narrower Term(s) n/a

[brimwats]

(saving this space for a running list of change/addition proposals!)

[Snao Cone]

Hi, I'm just posting this as a place holder of sorts, since I'd like to read this more thoroughly and contribute when I have time. It seems very interesting!

[Sarah-Sylvia]

Hi @brimwats

I was wondering if there's a place for shortened terms? (ace and aro) Or where it would fit if it were added.

 

I noticed some inconsistencies and thought to bring up, even if not a change proposal.

-For Demisexual people, it says "have first formed a strong emotional connection", while for Demisexuality the 'strong' wording isn't present.
-Wording for the same with demiromantic definitions use 'preexisting' instead of  'strong'.

-Graysexual definitions do not have 'or desire' after sexual attraction like asexual ones have.

 

I am glad to see desire as part of the asexual definition, so I think could be added to graysexuality as well.

There could possibly added more to graysexuality too, since it's also used for more at times. Not sure how to word it, but something like that it's also used for sexual identities that don't quite fit in asexuality or allosexuality. Same for grayromanticism.

[brimwats]

On 10/28/2022 at 3:59 PM, Sarah-Sylvia said:

Hi @brimwats

I was wondering if there's a place for shortened terms? (ace and aro) Or where it would fit if it were added.

 

I noticed some inconsistencies and thought to bring up, even if not a change proposal.

-For Demisexual people, it says "have first formed a strong emotional connection", while for Demisexuality the 'strong' wording isn't present.
-Wording for the same with demiromantic definitions use 'preexisting' instead of  'strong'.

-Graysexual definitions do not have 'or desire' after sexual attraction like asexual ones have.

 

I am glad to see desire as part of the asexual definition, so I think could be added to graysexuality as well.

There could possibly added more to graysexuality too, since it's also used for more at times. Not sure how to word it, but something like that it's also used for sexual identities that don't quite fit in asexuality or allosexuality. Same for grayromanticism.

 

 

hey @Sarah-Sylvia!! Thank you for the feedback on those definitions great points and! I'll work on getting them revised! 

 

I didn't dip into this because I wanted to try to keep it simple, but shortened forms are called "UFs" in that it would be "Aromantic people UF Aro" meaning that a cataloger would use Aromantic people in place of Aro (this is something called authority control if you want to read more!). Great point that we don't have those, however! So if I understand right I will add:

 

Aromantic people 
UF Aro

 

Asexual people

UF Ace

 

Let me know how that sounds!  

[Sarah-Sylvia]

49 minutes ago, brimwats said:

 

 

hey @Sarah-Sylvia!! Thank you for the feedback on those definitions great points and! I'll work on getting them revised! 

 

I didn't dip into this because I wanted to try to keep it simple, but shortened forms are called "UFs" in that it would be "Aromantic people UF Aro" meaning that a cataloger would use Aromantic people in place of Aro (this is something called authority control if you want to read more!). Great point that we don't have those, however! So if I understand right I will add:

 

Aromantic people 
UF Aro

 

Asexual people

UF Ace

 

Let me know how that sounds!  

If that's how it's done for shortened terms then sounds good . a lot of people use them so could be useful to have listed.

[sirenian]

@brimwats

Something I've learned about the community here is that many people use microlabels to describe themselves that go beyond your terms here in terms of specificity.  I do not use any of these terms myself and would therefore be uncomfortable suggesting how to define or index them, but I'm curious about whether such terms are the kind of thing you want to include. If so, it might be worth actively seeking out people who would be interested in helping to create proposals for them.  Alternatively, it might be better to list these only as NTs for terms you already have?  I'm uncertain about how the system works.
Examples of the kinds  of terms I'm thinking of include "aegeosexual" and "cupiosexual," among many others.

 

Thank you, by the way, for doing this work.