allosexual

Allosexual is a term used primarily within LGBTQ+ and asexual communities to describe individuals who experience sexual attraction toward others. The word is a neologism that combines the prefix “allo‑,” meaning “other,” with “sexual,” and serves as a counterpart to “asexual,” which denotes a lack of sexual attraction. While asexuality describes a spectrum of experiences ranging from a complete absence of sexual attraction to varying degrees of romantic interest, allosexual is employed to refer to those whose experiences fall outside of that spectrum, encompassing the majority of the general population.

The concept emerged in online discourse in the early 2010s as a way to provide a neutral, descriptive label that avoids positioning asexuality as the default or “normal” sexual orientation. By naming those who do experience sexual attraction, allosexual functions as a linguistic tool for comparative discussions about sexual diversity, relationship dynamics, and social expectations surrounding sexuality. It is not itself an identity or orientation; rather, it functions as a categorical descriptor similar to “cisgender” or “heteronormative” in other contexts.

Allosexuality is not synonymous with any particular sexual orientation; an allosexual person may identify as heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, pansexual, or any other orientation that includes sexual attraction. The term also allows for recognition of variations within the allosexual experience, such as differences in libido, sexual preferences, and the capacity for both sexual and romantic attraction.

Critics have noted that the term can inadvertently create a binary that oversimplifies the fluid nature of sexual attraction, and some argue that its usage should be limited to academic or community-specific discussions. Nevertheless, “allosexual” remains a widely used reference point in conversations about asexuality and broader sexual diversity.