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[[File:Aspecflag.png|thumb|220x220px|An alternate a-spectrum flag]] |
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'''A-spectrum''', or '''A-spec''', is an umbrella term for all identities on the [[Asexual Spectrum|asexual spectrum]] and [[Aromantic Spectrum|aromantic spectrum]], including [[Aromantic|aromantics]], [[Asexual|asexuals]], [[demisexual]]/[[Demiromantic|romantics]], [[greyasexual]]/[[greyromantic|romantics]], [[lithosexual]]/[[Lithromantic|romantics]], [[fraysexual]]/[[Frayromantic|romantics]], and so on. [[File:A-spec.jpg|thumb|220x220px|A commonly used a-spectrum flag]] |
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[[File:Aspecflag.png|thumb|220x220px|An alternate a-spec flag.]] |
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The term a-spectrum was introduced by Tumblr users warriorsdebt, whes, and strategicgoat in approximately late 2015.<ref>[https://warriorsdebt.tumblr.com/post/157795101420/wetwareproblem-aphobephobe-wetwareproblem Post about the origins of a-spectrum]</ref><ref>[https://allopropaganda.tumblr.com/post/187450596983 “A-spec” does not mean Aro AND Ace]</ref> |
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'''A-spec''' or '''A-spectrum''' is an umbrella term, describing all identities that fall on the [[Asexual Spectrum|asexual spectrum]] and [[Aromantic Spectrum|aromantic spectrum]]. One does not need to be part of both spectrums to be a-spec. The term allows people to talk about those on the asexual spectrum and those on the aromantic spectrum at the same time, as the two groups share many common experiences. It is also a useful term for those who are both ace and aro. |
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<nowiki> </nowiki>It is also sometimes used more broadly to include other identities that use the "a-" prefix.<ref>[http://www.arocalypse.com/forums/topic/2434-what-is-the-a-spectrum/ Arocalypse thread: What is the "a-spectrum"?]</ref> |
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In addition to [[Asexual|asexuals]] and [[Aromantic|aromantics]], a-spec identities include but are not limited to [[demisexual]]/[[Demiromantic|romantic]], [[greyasexual]]/[[greyromantic|romantic]], [[lithosexual]]/[[Lithromantic|romantic]], [[fraysexual]]/[[Frayromantic|romantic]], and similar identities. |
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== Controversy == |
== Controversy == |
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Aces and aros have sometimes been accused of appropriating the term "a-spec" from the autistic community.<ref>[https://apersnicketylemon.tumblr.com/post/189192893072/aspec-does-not-and-has-never-meant-autism Aspec does not and has never meant ‘Autism spectrum’]</ref> This is impossible, as the term was created in 2015 specifically for aces and aros and has no prior usage history before that point. |
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According to some individuals, particularly [[Exclusionist|exclusionists]] using the word a-spec to mean ace/aro-spec is appropriating from autistic individuals. It's claimed that a-spec was previously used to mean "autistic-spectrum". However, there is no evidence that this term was ever used before its usage by ace/aro-spec people. The most common way people abbreviate autistic-spectrum is with "asd" standing for "autism spectrum disorder" or similar "on the spectrum". These claims are often made by non-autistic people in an attempt to de-legitimizing the terms used by a-spec people. |
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With the ace and aro communities, the term "a-spec" has also been criticized for introducing confusion through frequent misuse.<ref>[https://shades-of-grayro.tumblr.com/post/190426507065/again-im-not-critiquing-the-usefulness-of-a-word Intracommunity criticism of a-spec]</ref> In response to aces sometimes using "a-spec" when only aces are relevant (excluding some aros), aros have introduced the backformation "acespec" (instead of simply using "ace") and emphasized that it's important not to say a-spec when what is meant is acespec; unfortunately, for many people, "a-spec" and "acespec" are phonetically indistinguishable when spoken aloud. This move is also unnecessary since the term "ace" is already an umbrella term for the entire asexual spectrum.<ref>[https://rotten-zucchinis.tumblr.com/post/154538375425/ace-is-an-umbrella-term-and-asexual-used “Ace” *is* an umbrella term] |
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</ref> In addition to these issues, the variety of different usages can sometimes make its intended meaning unclear. |
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== Flag == |
== Flag == |
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The a-spec flag was created by Tumblr user The-Moon-Is-Aroace on March 25, 2019<ref>https://the-moon-is-aroace.tumblr.com/post/183702972387/a-new-flag-for-the-aspec-community-just-an-idea-i</ref> |
The a-spec flag was created by Tumblr user The-Moon-Is-Aroace on March 25, 2019.<ref>[https://the-moon-is-aroace.tumblr.com/post/183702972387/a-new-flag-for-the-aspec-community-just-an-idea-i A new flag for the aspec community]</ref> The compass rose in the middle is a symbol of how people all experience attraction in different ways, if at all. The green and purple are on opposite sides of the quadrant to show that [[Asexual|asexuality]] and [[Aromantic|aromanticism]] are their own separate and independent identities, with the black and grey quadrants connecting them. Black represents the [[aroace|aro ace]] community and grey represents grey communities. |
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== |
== References == |
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<references />[[Category:Terminology]] |
<references />[[Category:Terminology]] |
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[[Category:Identity]] |
[[Category:Identity]] |
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Revision as of 03:04, 15 March 2020
A-spectrum, or A-spec, is an umbrella term for all identities on the asexual spectrum and aromantic spectrum, including aromantics, asexuals, demisexual/romantics, greyasexual/romantics, lithosexual/romantics, fraysexual/romantics, and so on.
The term a-spectrum was introduced by Tumblr users warriorsdebt, whes, and strategicgoat in approximately late 2015.[1][2]
It is also sometimes used more broadly to include other identities that use the "a-" prefix.[3]
Controversy
Aces and aros have sometimes been accused of appropriating the term "a-spec" from the autistic community.[4] This is impossible, as the term was created in 2015 specifically for aces and aros and has no prior usage history before that point.
With the ace and aro communities, the term "a-spec" has also been criticized for introducing confusion through frequent misuse.[5] In response to aces sometimes using "a-spec" when only aces are relevant (excluding some aros), aros have introduced the backformation "acespec" (instead of simply using "ace") and emphasized that it's important not to say a-spec when what is meant is acespec; unfortunately, for many people, "a-spec" and "acespec" are phonetically indistinguishable when spoken aloud. This move is also unnecessary since the term "ace" is already an umbrella term for the entire asexual spectrum.[6] In addition to these issues, the variety of different usages can sometimes make its intended meaning unclear.
Flag
The a-spec flag was created by Tumblr user The-Moon-Is-Aroace on March 25, 2019.[7] The compass rose in the middle is a symbol of how people all experience attraction in different ways, if at all. The green and purple are on opposite sides of the quadrant to show that asexuality and aromanticism are their own separate and independent identities, with the black and grey quadrants connecting them. Black represents the aro ace community and grey represents grey communities.