Praetersexual is a microlabel for people on the asexual spectrum who have experienced sexual attraction in the "distant past". This rests under the umbrella term Black Stripe Asexual. A praetersexual has not experienced sexual attraction in years. This asexual may have experienced attraction in their teen years, 20s, 30s or even 40s. This could be related to sexual fluidity, neurodivergence or unknown/unspecified reasons. This is not specifically related to libido. The term praetersexual includes abrosexual individuals who are experiencing a distinctly long period of complete asexuality.
The opposite of praetersexual is nemosexual. The romantic equivalent of praetersexual is praeterromantic.
Praetersexual is similar to erassexual (which includes micro-labels caedsexual and neuroasexual). However, this term also includes individuals who do not see this as their sexuality vanishing. They may see praetersexuality as another form of their sexuality/complexity within their sexuality. Praetersexuals often primarily identify as asexual and often do not see this as a "cutting away" of sexuality.
Flag
The Praetersexual flag is a four-striped predominantly blue-purple colour scale flag. The black stripe represents asexuality, the dark blue stripe represents aging/a reflection on the past, the purple stripe represents an altered sense of sexuality, and the light blue stripe represents change.
History
The term was coined in the AVEN (Asexual Visibility and Education Network) Black Stripe Asexuality hangout thread [1] by SleuthArt on the 23rd of July, 2021. This was in relation to the suggestion of a string of Black Stripe Asexual micro-labels to aid the community.
Etymology
This term uses the prefix 'praeter' which has roots in latin, meaning 'past' and 'besides.'