Lithosexual
Lithosexual (also called lithsexual or akoisexual ) is a sexual orientation on the asexual spectrum in which a person experiences sexual attraction but does not want that attraction reciprocated, or may lose interest when it is reciprocated.
This orientation is almost the opposite of reciprosexual, which refers to a person who does not experience sexual attraction to someone until they know that person is sexually attracted to them first.
Origins of the Term Lithosexual
The term lithosexual emerged emerged from Tumblr's ace and aro communities by 2014. It was coined by Tumblr user stopanthropomorphizingme (Ian), who took the prefix lith- from the Greek "lithos," meaning “stone,” as a reference to Stone identity in queer culture. The connection generated some controversy over the use of terminology associated with lesbian Stone identities, leading to the creation of the alternative term akoisexual. Today, lithosexual, lithsexual, and akoisexual are generally used interchangeably.
A lithosexual might:
- Experience sexual attraction, but often prefer for it not to be reciprocated.
- Feel strongly attracted to someone until they learn that person is attracted to them too.
- Find that attraction fades, weakens, or disappears once it becomes mutual.
- Enjoy sexual fantasies, crushes, or attraction more when there is distance or no expectation that anything will happen.
- Feel uncomfortable with being desired, or find it uninteresting.
- Like the idea of someone sexually but lose interest when that person becomes realistically available.
- Be comfortable giving or experiencing attraction one-sidedly without wanting the other person to respond.
- Still want relationships, intimacy, masturbation, or sex for reasons other than sexual attraction.
Related Terms
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