Pseudosexual or senssexual is a microlabel for individuals on the asexual spectrum who experience a non-sexual (tertiary) physical attraction which mimics or borders on sexual attraction. These individuals experience strong physical attraction (such as aesthetic attraction or sensual attraction) to a specific individual(s) but lack the intrinsic desire to commit sexual acts with that individual(s). Pseudosexual can also fall under the black stripe asexual umbrella.
Some common pseudosexual experiences might include:
- Experiencing aesthetic- and/or sensual-based sexual arousal towards an individual without a drive to commit sexual acts with them.
- Enjoying or being aroused by individuals in erotic content or fantasies but being uninterested in sexual activity with the individuals.
- Experiencing a libido spike caused by viewing or otherwise sensing an individual but lacking sexual attraction towards the individual.
- Experiencing aesthetic or sensual attraction so strongly it overwhelms any potential sexual attraction.
This term is similar to but distinct from miransexual asexuals who experience visual sexual attraction (mirous attraction) which does not involve other senses and is unrelated to sensual attraction.
Pseudosexual can also be used as a prefix (eg. pseudo-bisexual) or as part of an angled aroace or oriented aroace identity.
History and Flag
Pseudosexual was coined by Reddit user AnonymousHermitCrab in the subreddit r/asexuality on January 23rd, 2022, along with it's flag.[1]
The pseudosexual flag is an altered version of the asexual flag. It is the asexual flag flipped upside down, modeled after the miransexual flag. A pink stripe is added beneath the purple stripe to represent tertiary physical attractions such as aesthetic and sensual attraction which are both commonly represented with the color pink.[1]
Etymology
The term pseudosexual is based on the Greek root word "pseudo-" meaning "false." The root word "pseudo-" was chosen to represent how tertiary physical attractions present themselves as a false (pseudo) sexual attraction.[1]
The alternative name for the orientation, senssexual, is based on the Latin root word "sens-" meaning "to feel." The root word "sens-" was chosen to represent the importance of visual (aesthetic) and other sensory (sensual) attraction in this orientation's attraction.[1]