Allosexuality

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Allosexuality is the ability to experience sexual attraction, in contrast with asexuality. Individuals express this identity as allosexual, sometimes shortened to allo; synonymous terms include zedsexual, or simply sexual.

The identity does not reflect other aspects of sexual attraction, hence allosexuals can be heterosexual, gay, bisexual, or pansexual, for example. Allosexual identity does not imply any particular experiences, or frequency, of sexual attraction or sexual encounters.

The prefix allo- comes from the Greek word Állos, meaning "other", "different", or "atypical". 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.

In a medicalized context, allosexual has been used in contrast to autosexual to describe sexual attraction towards others or sexual behavior between multiple people. The term was coined by the asexual community as a way to name and discuss the experiences of non-asexual people. 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'.

Asexuals are estimated to make up 1% or less of the total population and about 1.7% of the LGBT population. 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. Physical intimacy is considered an essential part of romantic relationships among allosexuals, which can complicate relationships between asexual and allosexual individuals. 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.

• Allonormativity
• Analloeroticism