Aceflux / Aroflux

Aceflux and aroflux describe attraction that fluctuates along the asexual and aromantic spectrums over time, rather than staying fixed.

Definition

Aceflux is a sexual orientation that fluctuates along the asexual spectrum: the person may identify as fully asexual at times, demisexual or graysexual at others, and occasionally experience typical levels of sexual attraction. Aroflux is the romantic-orientation equivalent, fluctuating along the aromantic spectrum between aromantic, demiromantic, grayromantic, and alloromantic states.

Etymology

Ace/Aro (shorthand for asexual/aromantic) + flux (Latin fluxus, flowing, changing).

History

Coined within AVEN and aromantic communities online in the early 2010s for experiences of attraction that don't stay fixed within the ace/aro spectrum. Related to but distinct from abrosexual, which describes broader orientation shifts across the full spectrum.

Common myths

  • "Aceflux/aroflux people are just unsure whether they're asexual or aromantic." The fluctuation is the identity, not indecision about it. An aceflux person reliably moves along the ace spectrum over time.
  • "Experiencing attraction sometimes disqualifies you from the ace/aro community." The asexual and aromantic spectrums explicitly include fluctuating and conditional experiences of attraction.

See also

Sources & further reading