Abstinence: Not participating in sexual activity (often specifically partnered sexual activity) by choice.



Ace: Short for "asexual". Often used to refer to asexual people in a similar manner as "gay" or "straight" are used to refer to homosexual or heterosexual people. Ace also includes gray-asexual and demisexual people.



Ace Flag: A pride flag consisting of equally sized horizontal stripes, from top to bottom: Black, gray, white, and purple.



Ace Spectrum: The grouping of asexual, demisexual, and gray-asexual under a single umbrella of related sexual orientation.



Aegosexuality: See "Autochorissexualism".



Aesthetic Attraction: Non-sexual/non-romantic attraction to the way someone looks. Often described as the desire to "admire someone like a painting", but not necessarily anything further.



Affectional Orientation: See "Romantic Orientation".



Allo: Short for "Allosexual" or "Alloromantic", depending on context.



Alloromantic: Someone who experiences romantic attraction; not aromantic.



Allosexual: Someone who experiences sexual attraction; not asexual.



Arc: Short for "Averse, Replused, or Conflicted", which can describe someone's personal feelings about sex or romance.



Aro: Short for "Aromantic".



Aroace: Short for "Aromantic Asexual".



Aromantic: A romantic orientation characterized by a persistent lack of romantic attraction toward any gender.



Arousal: Being "turned on", generally accompanied by a physical genital response, such as erection and/or lubrication.



Asexuality: A sexual orientation characterized by a persistent lack of sexual attraction to any gender.



Autochorissexualism: Coined by Dr. Anthony Bogaert to describe the scenario where some ace people can be aroused by or masturbate to sexual situations or material, without experiencing attraction to those involved in the situation and without a desire to be personally involved in the situation.



Averse: Feeling disgusted or put off by the thought of sex. It's not necessarily the thought that sex is "wrong", more that there's a personal "dislike".



Biromantic: A romantic orientation characterized by romantic attraction regardless of gender.



Bisexual: A sexual orientation characterized by sexual attraction regardless of gender.



Black Ring: When worn on the middle finger of the right hand, a black ring is an indicator that a person is asexual.



Celibacy: Not participating in sexual activity (often specifically partnered sexual activity) for any reason, not necessarily because of a personal choice.



Coming Out: The act of revealing one's sexual orientation to others.



Demi: Short for "Demisexual".



Demiromantic: A demiromantic does not experience romantic attraction unless they have already formed a strong emotional bond with the person.



Demisexual: A demisexual does not experience sexual attraction unless they have already formed a strong emotional bond with the person. The bond may or may not be romantic in nature.



Grace: Short for "Gray-Asexual".



Gray-A: Short for "Gray-Asexual".



Gray-Asexual: A gray-asexual may infrequently experience sexual attraction, may be unsure if they have, or may experience low sexual desire, yet will generally identify as being close to asexual.



GSRM: Gender, Sexuality, and Romantic Minorities. A deliberately inclusive replacement for the limited LGBT initialism.



Heteroromantic: A romantic orientation characterized by romantic attraction to a different gender.



Heterosexual: A sexual orientation characterized by sexual attraction to a different gender.



Homoromantic: A romantic orientation characterized by romantic attraction to the same gender.



Homosexual: A sexual orientation characterized by sexual attraction to the same gender.



LGBTQIA: A common extension of the well-known LGBT acronym: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual/Aromantic/Agender.



Libido: Also called "sex drive", a libido may cause arousal and/or strong desires or urges to engage in sexual activity (although not necessarily with a partner).



Libidoist: A person who has a libido.



Lithromantic: Someone who experiences romantic attraction, but does not desire reciprocation.



MOGAI: Marginalized Orientations, Gender Identities, and Intersex. A deliberately inclusive replacement for the limited LGBT initialism.



Non-Libidoist: Someone who does not have a libido.



Panromantic: A romantic orientation characterized by romantic attraction regardless of gender.



Pansexual: A sexual orientation characterized by sexual attraction regardless of gender.



Queerplatonic Relationship: A close relationship that does not fit within the traditional boundaries of a romantic or sexual relationship, yet is different than friendship.



Repulsed: Feeling disgusted or put off by the thought of sex. It's not necessarily the thought that sex is "wrong", more that it's "icky".



Romantic Attraction: A sense of "I would like to be involved in a romantic relationship with that person".



Romantic Orientation: A description of the gender or genders (or lack thereof) that one experiences romantic attraction towards.



Sensual Attraction: A sense of "I would like to engage in non-sexual physical activity with that person".



Sexual Attraction: A sense of "I would like to engage in sexual activity with that person".



Sexual Orientation: A description of the gender or genders (or lack thereof) that one experiences sexual attraction towards.