A-spec

A-spec, or the a spectrum, is an umbrella term that encompasses both the asexual and aromantic spectrums and the many sexual and romantic orientations that are part of them. These orientations involve conditional attractions or experiencing no attraction. It can also be used as an identity term for people who do not differentiate their experiences of conditional or no attraction into separate labels.
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==Etymology==
The term a-spec is short for a spectrum.
Tumblr user historicallyace speculates that the term "a-spec" may have been used to describe the asexual spectrum in late 2015 or early 2016.
==Community==
===Identities under the umbrella===
====Asexual spectrum====
====Aromantic spectrum====
====Aromantic asexual====
==Flags==
Tumblr user the-moon-is-aroace created the a-spec flag on March 25th, 2019. The compass rose in the middle symbolises how individuals all experience romantic and sexual 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 separate and independent identities, with the black and grey quadrants connecting them. Black represents the aroace community, and grey represents grey communities.
Tumblr users sapphic-squirrel and hetaces, with help from the Inclusionist Discord Server, designed the aloe vera a-spec flag, posted on November 17th, 2019. It was designed to mimic the sapphic, achillean, diamoric, and pluralian flags with three stripes and one plant. Green represents aromantic individuals, purple represents asexual individuals, and grey represents the area between "a-" and "allo-" identities.
==Controversy==
There is some controversy around the term "a-spec" allegedly being appropriated from the autistic community.
The term is sometimes more broadly used to include other identities with the "a-" prefix, such as agender. However, there have also been discussions on how "a-spec" should only cover the asexual and aromantic spectrums.
==References==
Category:Terminology
Category:A-spec
Category:Romantic orientation
Category:Sexual orientation
Category:Umbrellas and spectrums
de:AroAce-Spektrum
es:Anatraccionalidad
pt-br:A-espectralidade