What is Asexuality? Resource Guide

Asexual or "Ace" refers to someone who doesn't experience sexual attraction.

Asexuality is a spectrum, so it is also used as an umbrella term to people who experience limited sexual attraction. 

Anyone who experiences sexual attraction that doesn't identify within the asexual spectrum is allosexual. 

Aromantic or "Aro" refers to someone who doesn't experience romantic attraction. 

Aromanticism is a spectrum, so it is also used as an umbrella term to people who experience limited romantic attraction.

Anyone who experiences romantic attraction that doesn't identify within the aromantic spectrum is alloromantic. 

When it comes to attraction, there are many different types. The ones most often confused are sexual and romantic attraction. 

Sexual attraction is attraction that causes people to desire sexual contact or show sexual interest in another person(s). 

Romantic attraction is attraction that causes people to desire romantic contact or interaction with another person(s).

It is possible to experience one of these and not the other!

Someone is perioriented when their romantic orientation matches their sexual orientation (e.g. aromantic asexual, biromantic bisexual). 

• Black ring worn on the middle finger is often worn by people who identify as someone on the asexual spectrum.
• White ring worn on the middle finger is often worn by people who identify as someone on the aromantic spectrum.
• Ace of Spades is often used by asexuals who identify as someone on the aromantic spectrum.
• Ace of Hearts is often used by asexuals who identify as alloromantic. 
• Every orientation on the ace and aro spectrums has a pride flag with its own colors and shapes determined by community members. 

Also known as queerplatonic partnerships, these are committed intimate relationships which are not inherently romantic or sexual in nature. They may differ from close friendship by having more explicit commitment, status, and structure, similar to a conventional romantic relationship - but ultimately the differences and similarities are determiend by those involved. Just like other relationship types, they can consist of a single couple or a group of individuals. 

And while this is common within them, it is not only for the aro and ace communities! You can have a queerplatonic relationship regardless of your romantic or sexual orientation. 

Demisexual: feeling sexual attraction only after an emotional bond

Fraysexual: feeling sexual attraction initially but it fades over time

Graysexual: feeling sexual attraction weakly, rarely, or only under certain conditions

Cupiosexual: someone who does not experience sexual attraction but still desires that type of relationship

Lithrosexual: someone who does experience sexual attraction but does not desire those feelings to be reciprocated or to pursue a relationship

Aceflux: orientation fluctuates but remains on the ace spectrum

Reciprosexual: feeling sexual attraction only if the other person feels sexual attraction first

Identities on the asexual spectrum are not limited to this list. 

Demiromantic: feeling romantic attraction only after an emotional bond

Frayromantic: feeling romantic attraction initially but it fades over time

Grayromantic: feeling romantic attraction weakly, rarely, or only under certain conditions

Cupioromantic: someone who does not experience romantic attraction but still desires that type of relationship

Lithromantic: someone who does experience romantic attraction but does not desire those feelings to be reciprocated or to pursue a relationship

Aroflux: orientation fluctuates but remains on the aro spectrum

Recipromantic: feeling romantic attraction only if the other person feels romantic attraction first

Identities on the aromantic spectrum are not limited to this list. 

The Asexual Visibility and Education Network (AVEN) | asexuality.org

Aromantic-spectrum Union for Recognition, Education, and Advocacy (AUREA) | aromanticism.org

PRIDE! Kent:
Group for LGBTQ+ students and allies
Governance Chambers, Kent Student Center, Room 237 | Facebook

Trans*Fusion:
Group for trans-identifying students and allies
Kent Student Center, Room 322 | Facebook

All-In(clusive) Theatre:
Group for LGBTQ+ recognition in theatre | Facebook

QGrad:
Volunteer and social club for LGBTQ+ grads | Facebook

Fusion Magazine:
Kent State’s LGBTQ+ Magazine | Website

Ruach - Queer Jewish Spirit:
Group for the unique intersection of queer and Jewish identities
ruachKSU@gmail.com | Instagram: @ruachksu