Cecilia Miller is a lesbian love warrior and educator fighting for queer justice and ensuring every shade of the rainbow shines bright & bold!
In the diverse and evolving world of LGBTQ+ identities, understanding the spectrum of gender and sexual orientations is a journey of constant learning and empathy.
With new definitions and terms frequently emerging to express the varied experiences and feelings of queer people, it can be a challenge to keep up, especially for those not deeply involved in LGBTQ+ culture or the rainbow community. Many of these identities, though rich in meaning, remain underrepresented in mainstream media.
At the forefront of this exploration is the term ‘aceflux’. We will dive into what aceflux means, discuss the significance of the aceflux pride flag, and offer tips on how to be an effective ally to those who identify as aceflux. However, aceflux is just one of many identities that illustrate the complexity of human sexuality and attraction.
For instance, understanding aceflux also invites us to learn about related identities like ‘aroflux‘, where one’s romantic attractions fluctuate and reflect on variations in asexual and aromantic spectrums. These terms, alongside others like ‘sapiosexual‘ – attraction to intelligence irrespective of gender – and ‘gynoromantic‘ – romantic attraction towards femininity regardless of sex or gender – further enrich our understanding of the queer experience.
These diverse identities, including aceflux, are vital in showcasing the spectrum of experiences within the LGBTQ+ community. They also highlight an important aspect of queer culture: the unfortunate presence of ‘gatekeeping‘. Gatekeeping, in a queer sense, refers to the exclusionary practices where certain individuals or groups within the community may attempt to define or limit who ‘qualifies’ as a member of the LGBTQ+ community based on narrow or rigid criteria. Understanding and acknowledging these diverse identities is a step towards dismantling such gatekeeping and fostering a more inclusive and supportive community.
In focusing on aceflux, we aim to not only educate about this specific identity but also to illuminate the vastness and complexity of LGBTQ+ experiences. Each term, each identity, is a thread in the vibrant tapestry of queer life, and learning about them is key to becoming better allies. By embracing the diversity within our community, we open doors to greater understanding, acceptance, and solidarity.
In this article we will cover...
What Does Aceflux Mean?
Aceflux is a type of asexuality that characterizes someone whose sexual attraction fluctuates throughout time. For example, an aceflux individual may feel super asexual one day (absolutely no sexual interest to anyone) and less strongly asexual the next day (or perhaps feel a weak sexual attraction).
They may also feel demisexual or greysexual at times. Some aceflux people may experience allosexual feelings at times.
Aceflux can exist on its own as a sexual orientation or in combination with other sexual orientations. One could be aceflux and bisexual, for example, which means that when one feels sexual attraction, it is to people of two or more genders. Aceflux and abrosexuality are similar, but abrosexuality is distinguished by the fact that the gender(s) to which a person is attracted can vary.
When aceflux people are attracted to someone, the gender(s) they’re attracted to are usually the same; it’s just how they’re attracted to them or how fiercely they are attracted to them that changes.
Aceflux Flag Meaning
There are many different pride flags symbolizing most queer identities, so it should come as no surprise there is a flag for aceflux people to proudly fly.
The aceflux flag is made up of five red and purple stripes that form a gradient. Allosexuals are represented by red, whereas asexuals are represented by purple. The gradient depicts how aceflux people can go from severely asexual to strongly allosexual feelings. On October 28, 2021, wiki user WiiFyneLM designed the aceflux symbol for an LGBT+ poster.
Aceflux Pride Day
Education, visibility, commemoration, and appreciation are not just words but pillars that uphold the grand stage of global acceptance and acknowledgment of queer identities and queer folks. Imagine the scene: vibrant celebrations, heartfelt moments akin to the poignant narratives in historical LGBTQ movies, and the sharing of gay memoirs that shape our collective journey.
For aceflux individuals, the power of such moments is magnified. It becomes easier to open up to friends and loved ones, to bask in the warmth of love and understanding, especially when there’s a worldwide day dedicated to celebrating aceflux identities.
Envision a day where awareness and sensitivity bloom like flowers in spring, where every conversation and shared memory adds to the rich tapestry of our community. So, darling, mark your calendars with a flourish! Plan something extravagant or intimate (perhaps a social media extravaganza or a cozy movie night featuring iconic LGBTQ films) for Ace Week, running from October 24th to 30th.
Though there isn’t a specific Aceflux Pride Day yet, let’s make every moment count, turning each day into a spectacular celebration of who we are, filled with fabulousness, education, and endless pride!
Other Aceflux Information to Help You Be a Better Ally
Aceflux is an identity on the asexual spectrum. However, that doesn’t mean that their experience with their orientation is the same as everyone else’s on the asexual spectrum.
In fact, no aceflux experience is identical to another. You can’t tell whether someone is aceflux by looking at them, observing their personality, or their physical aesthetic. None of these characteristics can provide a clue as to how a person identifies, and this is as true for aceflux individuals as it is for any gender or sexual orientation.
The first thing you should do as an ally to aceflux people is to believe them when they tell you about their identity. Don’t try to argue them out of it or make the mistake of thinking you could know more about how they feel than they do. It could also help if you worked on your mindset. Working on your attitude means you challenge your concept of gender, sexuality, and sex.
After all, if you have any issues with understanding aceflux people, the root cause is bound in your understanding of gender and sexuality – not theirs. Educating yourself (as you are by reading about what does aceflux mean!) is an excellent first step to increase your awareness and not make your lack of knowledge in this area a burden on them.
There aren’t any explicit rules or guidelines, but here are some thoughts on how you can be a better ally and support a loved one as you discover what it means to be aceflux.
Aceflux people can have relationships
Aceflux people may have relationships for a variety of reasons, including romantic attraction. Some aceflux people choose to have close emotional intimacy with someone beyond friendship, whereas grey-A and demisexual people may experience sexual desire at times.
They don’t have intimacy issues
Aceflux people are sometimes taught they are flawed because they do not experience attraction in the same way that others do.
Some aceflux people will choose to develop close emotional or romantic ties, while others will not — this is not an indication that they are broken or disordered in any way.
They will not ‘grow out’ of being aceflux
Being aceflux is about orientation, not behavior, and is much like being a lesbian, gay, or bisexual in this way. While individuals’ identities may vary during their lives, being an aceflux isn’t a fad, and there are plenty of older aceflux persons.
One of the most common misconceptions about aceflux people is that they ‘simply haven’t met the perfect person yet,’ which can be especially harmful. Keep in mind that when you try to ‘reassure’ aceflux people that they will meet the right person, you’re actually doing more harm than good.
One doesn’t choose their sexual orientation. That is simply part of who they are. Trying to make them feel like their orientation is a phase they’re going through will only put them at risk of depression and anxiety, substance or alcohol abuse, or even struggle to forcefully fit into an identity that they’re not.
Accept aceflux people as they are and recognize that like many other misunderstood queer identities, it is valid too. If you have an aceflux loved one, the last thing you want to do is force them to do conversion therapy. In actuality, it does not work, is a complete waste of time, and is extremely damaging.
Offer support to those struggling with their orientation
People who are dealing with their orientation can seek help from a variety of organizations and support groups. These groups can assist your loved one in overcoming preconceptions, bigotry, and discrimination that many LGBTQ+ persons face on a daily basis. It’s important to remember that LGBTQ orientations aren’t the product of mental illness.
However, the LGBTQIA+ group has a greater risk of substance misuse, depression, anxiety, and suicide than the general population. Accepting our loved ones, providing as much support as we can, and addressing abuse or bullying in the workplace, school, and other social settings are some of the best ways we can help them from getting into this cycle.
Keep someone’s identity and orientation private
Nothing is more demeaning than exposing someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity. The world in which we live has yet to fully accept the LGBTQ community and everything we stand for. As a result, disclosing someone’s sexual orientation can put them in danger.
Outing or discussing the person’s orientation in an anti-LGBT community or environment may put them at risk of physical, emotional, or even verbal violence. Respecting someone’s need for privacy and allowing them to come out to close friends and family when they’re ready is the kindest thing to do.
Speak against discrimination and prejudice
Finally, as a supporter of aceflux and other LGBT people, you should learn to recognize prejudice and discrimination for what they are. Many LGBTQ+ people face prejudice and discrimination simply because of who they are. As an ally, you can call out such behavior and educate those who are doing wrong about how their negative behavior can harm others.
Your aceflux loved one will feel loved, valued, affirmed, and accepted if you do this. As an ally, it’s vital that you’re honest with yourself and examine your own prejudices, question them, and bring them down if you’re to be a good ally to the LGBTQIA+ community.
Validate their identity
There are numerous sexual identities, and just because you haven’t heard of the term aceflux doesn’t mean it isn’t valid. Recognize that sexuality takes many forms, and while some are similar, there is usually a distinct difference between them.
