Agentosexual

Key Features

• Agentosexual refers to individuals who experience, or have experienced, control over their sexual orientation, allowing them to shift their attraction at will to varying degrees.

• This orientation challenges traditional views of sexuality as fixed, showcasing the diversity and complexity of human attraction.

• While empowering for some, agentosexual individuals may face misunderstanding, skepticism, and a lack of representation.

• Increasing visibility of agentosexuality promotes greater acceptance and inclusion of all identities within the LGBTQIA+ spectrum.

Context

Control Over Sexual Attraction

Agentosexual individuals can alter their sexual attraction intentionally, whether in terms of intensity, focus, or type of attraction (e.g., romantic, sexual, or platonic). This ability may manifest as a conscious choice or as a skill that one has developed or noticed over time.

Example: An agentosexual person may consciously decide to shift their attraction toward a particular gender or to reduce feelings of attraction altogether.

Varying Degrees of Control

The extent of control differs among agentosexual individuals:Some can completely change their orientation at will. Others may only be able to influence certain aspects, such as reducing or increasing attraction. Control might also fluctuate, being stronger at some times and weaker at others.

Example: One person might be able to turn off their attraction in emotionally difficult times, while another can adjust their feelings to suit their preferences or comfort.

Flexibility in Timing

The timing of control over sexual attraction is unique for each agentosexual person:Some experience it as ongoing, being able to shift their orientation whenever they choose. Others may have experienced control at certain points in their lives but not consistently.

Example: An agentosexual individual may have felt this ability during a specific life stage, such as adolescence, but not later on.

Not Necessarily Permanent

Identifying as agentosexual doesn’t mean attraction is permanently fluid or controlled. It refers to the potential or past ability to intentionally influence attraction.

Agentosexual vs. Related Identities

• Abrosexual: Abrosexual individuals experience natural, involuntary shifts in attraction over time. Agentosexual individuals actively control or influence changes in their orientation.

• Fluid Sexuality: Fluid individuals may experience changes in attraction, but these shifts are not necessarily intentional or controlled. Agentosexuality specifically involves the ability to willfully adjust attraction.

• Asexual or Graysexual: While asexuality involves a lack of sexual attraction, agentosexual individuals might shift their attraction to be absent or low if desired, but they can also choose to amplify it.

Cultural Relevance

Recognizing agentosexuality helps to further understand the spectrum of sexual orientations and the variety of ways individuals experience attraction. It highlights the importance of acknowledging non-traditional relationships to sexuality and attraction, fostering inclusivity in the conversation about sexual identity.

Challenging Fixed Concepts of Sexual Orientation

Agentosexuality challenges the mainstream belief that sexual orientation is always static, innate, and unchangeable.

• It offers an alternative perspective, showing that for some, orientation can be influenced or adjusted intentionally.

• This challenges societal norms and opens up conversations about the complexity and diversity of human sexuality.

Example: While society often frames orientation as “you’re born this way,” agentosexuality highlights that for some individuals, sexuality can be dynamic and controllable.

Personal Autonomy and Empowerment

The concept of control over one’s attraction can be empowering, as it aligns with themes of personal autonomy and agency. Agentosexual individuals may feel a stronger sense of ownership over their sexuality, viewing it as something they can shape to align with their needs, desires, or values. This can be particularly empowering in cultures or communities where sexual expectations are rigid or limiting.

Nuancing the Sexuality Spectrum

Agentosexuality contributes to a broader understanding of how diverse and nuanced human sexual experiences can be. It challenges the binary thinking that individuals must either have fixed attractions or experience involuntary shifts. By recognizing agentosexuality, the spectrum of orientations becomes more inclusive and reflective of unique lived experiences.

Example: An individual who previously experienced agentosexual control might explain their attraction as something that “felt fluid, but I could influence it whenever I wanted to.”

Challenges Faced by Agentosexual Individuals

• Misunderstanding and Invalidations: Many people may struggle to understand agentosexuality because it challenges traditional beliefs about sexual orientation being involuntary. Misconceptions may arise, such as dismissing agentosexual experiences as “just a choice” or invalidating their control over attraction.

• Pressure to Fit Into Fixed Categories: Society often emphasizes labeling sexuality as fixed (e.g., straight, gay, bi), which can make agentosexual individuals feel excluded or invalidated. Pressure to “prove” the legitimacy of their experience can lead to feelings of frustration or isolation.

• Lack of Visibility and Representation: Agentosexuality is a lesser-known orientation, even within LGBTQIA+ spaces. Limited awareness means individuals may struggle to find supportive communities or feel misunderstood.

• Skepticism from Others: Some may question whether agentosexual individuals “really” control their attraction or accuse them of fabricating their experiences. This skepticism can lead to erasure and a lack of acceptance.