The Complete List of Sexualities: A-C

Welcome to my new mini-series!

Here we will explore the breakdown of all the different sexualities and identities that grace this earth!

I wanted to do this series because we are limited in our knowledge of things beyond our personal worlds.

For instance, I am cishet. I don’t really know the trial and tribulations of someone who is asexual. My identity has been valid since I was born. I didn’t have to struggle to make people believe me, but unfortunately, not everyone has such a pleasant experience.

I also wanted to give each identity the spotlight and thoughtful consideration that it deserves.

It’s good to expand our worlds a bit and see what’s out there. You may be surprised by what you find.

What is Sexuality?

Now I always like including this little section because it helps everyone be on the same page. Let’s be honest, the word sexuality is often used interchangeably with other words that we aren’t 100% sure what the definition is.

So without further ado, sexuality describes how you identify when it comes to your sexual and romantic interests and preferences.

It is not about who you have sex with but instead about the feelings and thoughts you have towards others.

Sexuality is one of those things that’s not black and white. It’s all grey area. It is fluid and can change as you move through life.

It is important to note that sexuality is not something new. But as our society evolves, we develop new language to describe how someone feels or expresses their love towards others.

How Is It Different From Gender?

Sexuality and gender identity are often confused. Gender, like sexuality, is a whole big gray area, but it’s essential to know the difference.

So as we learned, sexuality is about who you are/aren’t sexually and romantically attracted to.

Gender identity and expression are how one chooses to express themselves to the world.

Therefore, gender is how someone identifies as a person. It has nothing to do with who they are attracted to.

So your gender identity and expression have nothing to do with who you want to have sex with.

If you want to go more in-depth on this topic, I recommend looking at the Gender Unicorn.

Okay, now that we are all on the same page, are you ready to learn about the sexualities: A-C?

Let’s get into it!

Related Article: 5 Reasons Why Everyone Is A Little Gay

Alloromantic

This is a person who experiences romantic attraction towards others.

Allosexual

This is an umbrella term for individuals who feel sexual attraction toward other people and possibly want to have sex with someone.
Anyone from any sexual orientation, gay, heterosexual, or lesbian, can identify as allosexual. It’s just a person who experiences sexual attraction towards other people.
Allosexism: This is an important term to note. It refers to the societal norms & beliefs that everyone experiences or should experience sexual attraction.
- It’s a privilege that people forget they have.

Androsexual

A person who identifies with this sexuality feels attraction towards men, males, & perceived masculinity. It does not matter if the person they are attracted to was assigned male at birth.

Aromantic

This is a person who does not feel any romantic attraction at all towards anyone. They tend not to want romantic relationships and only seek out friendships.
This is not mutually exclusive with sexual attraction. For instance, you can be sexually attracted to someone but not romantically.

Asexual

Asexuality is an umbrella term that encompasses the experiences of individuals who feel varying degrees of sexual or romantic attraction. It can also be described as a spectrum of sexual & romantic orientation.
Within the umbrella, there are several (possibly more) sexualities:
- Sex-averse: Someone who shows no interes in sex or sexual behavior.
- Sex-favorable: A person has an interest in sex in certain situations.
- Sex-indifferent: People who “feel neutral about sex and sexual behavior.”
- Sex-repulsed: Someone who is disgusted by sex and sexual behavior.
- Cupiosexual: A person who does not experience sexual attraction but still wants to engage in sexual behaviors or have a sexual relationship.
- Libidiost asexual: Individuals who are asexual yet experience sexual feelings that they can satisfy with masturbation or self-stimulation.
- Graysexual: People who experience sexual attraction infrequently or not very intensely
- Grayromantic: Individuals who rarely experience romantic attraction or the attraction they experience is not very strong.

Autoromantic

Someone who experiences romantic attraction towards themselves.
This person can also experience romantic interest towards others.

Autosexual

Individuals who experience sexual attraction towards themselves. May also experience sexual attraction towards others.

B’s

Bicurious

A person who shows interest in having sexual or romantic experiences with someone from the same gender or other genders. However, this person may be uncertain as to what their sexual identity is.

Biromantic

Someone who only experiences romantic attraction to individuals of multiple (not all) genders. For instance, this person can be romantically attracted to people that identify as women and non-binary but not attracted to men.

Bisexual

A person who feels sexual, romantic, or emotional attraction toward their own gender, other genders, or towards anyone regardless of gender.

C’s

Closeted

Someone who is “in the closet” does not share their sexual identity, attraction, behavior, gender experience, or identity with everyone.
They can be out in particular groups but closeted in others. This can be due to fear of discrimination, violence, or mistreatment.

Coming Out

The process of a person disclosing their sexuality, gender identity, gender expression, or romantic orientation to others.
A source of self-acceptance and pride for individuals who are a part of the LGBTQIA+.

Cupiosexual

Under the umbrella term of Asexuality, these individuals don’t experience sexual attraction but still want to engage in sexual behaviors or have a sexual relationship.

Sexuality is Fluid!

There are many more sexualities to come but for now, let’s soak up everything we can about these!

I know all the terms can seem complex and sometimes not make sense but they are worth knowing. This is because everyone deserves to feel valid in their experience.

Just remember to have an open mind, and just because it doesn’t make sense to you doesn’t mean it’s wrong.

If anything, take this as an opportunity to explore your sexuality. Maybe you are not as gay or straight as you think you are!

Browsing Category

The Complete List of Sexualities: A-C

What is Sexuality?