Affectional orientation
Encyclopedia
Affectional orientation (or romantic orientation) is used both alternatively and side-by-side with sexual orientation
. It is based on the perspective that sexual attraction is but a single component of a larger dynamic. To holders of this view, one's orientation is defined by whom one is predisposed to fall in love with, whether or not one desires that person sexually. Lately, the predominant use of the term "sexual orientation" is considered to reduce a whole category of desires and emotions, as well as power and connection, to sex.
This is an important concept amongst the asexual
community where it is often referred to as romantic orientation and the term affectional orientation is rarely used. It does however retain its separation from sexual attraction and as such is seen by many as an orientation within an orientation amongst the asexual community. Taking from the fact that amongst this community this is known as the romantic orientation, the prefixes of homo-, hetero-, bi-, pan-, poly-, demi- and a- have been used to form terms such as heteroromantic, biromantic and so on. It is a common term and part of every day conversation on the Asexual Visibility and Education Network (AVEN)
forums, and many members will refer to themselves as "[romantic orientation] asexuals".
However some asexuals who identify as straight, gay, lesbian, or bi before asexual, or simply prefer that terminology, will sometimes refer to themselves as "straight asexual" or "asexual lesbian". This simply means the same thing as a "heteroromantic asexual" or a "homoromantic asexual."
Sexual orientation
Sexual orientation describes a pattern of emotional, romantic, or sexual attractions to the opposite sex, the same sex, both, or neither, and the genders that accompany them. By the convention of organized researchers, these attractions are subsumed under heterosexuality, homosexuality,...
. It is based on the perspective that sexual attraction is but a single component of a larger dynamic. To holders of this view, one's orientation is defined by whom one is predisposed to fall in love with, whether or not one desires that person sexually. Lately, the predominant use of the term "sexual orientation" is considered to reduce a whole category of desires and emotions, as well as power and connection, to sex.
This is an important concept amongst the asexual
Asexuality
Asexuality , in its broadest sense, is the lack of sexual attraction and, in some cases, the lack of interest in sex. Sometimes, it is considered a lack of a sexual orientation...
community where it is often referred to as romantic orientation and the term affectional orientation is rarely used. It does however retain its separation from sexual attraction and as such is seen by many as an orientation within an orientation amongst the asexual community. Taking from the fact that amongst this community this is known as the romantic orientation, the prefixes of homo-, hetero-, bi-, pan-, poly-, demi- and a- have been used to form terms such as heteroromantic, biromantic and so on. It is a common term and part of every day conversation on the Asexual Visibility and Education Network (AVEN)
Asexual Visibility and Education Network
The Asexual Visibility and Education Network was founded in 2001 by David Jay with two distinct goals: creating public acceptance and discussion of asexuality and facilitating the growth of an asexual community...
forums, and many members will refer to themselves as "[romantic orientation] asexuals".
However some asexuals who identify as straight, gay, lesbian, or bi before asexual, or simply prefer that terminology, will sometimes refer to themselves as "straight asexual" or "asexual lesbian". This simply means the same thing as a "heteroromantic asexual" or a "homoromantic asexual."