#an-spec

[ryanyflags]

anspec / anattspec / absolspec / absolnispec : anattractional/absolnian spectrum.

[ explanation ]

So I use non-sam ace mainly, but anattractional fits me too. The problem that holds (or used to) me back from using it is the language, or lack thereof.

Like say, what is the -spec version of anattractional? I think most would just answer aspec (that's what I would say before too), but aspec isn't an anattractional specific label, it's for all a- orientations. That's like saying the spectrum version of aromantic is aspec, instead of arospec. It's correct in a way, as those identities would be included under aspec, but you could get more specific.

I don't think aspec should be redefined, it should stay a broad umbrella term, and I also don't think anattractional should just be a second definition for aspec, it should get it's own specific spectrum label too, like all the other a- orientations. I don't like the lack of clarity with using aspec for both definitions, I feel like it pushes anattractional to the side, and I still like aspec more as a general, non specific term.

-✦

(First) I came up with anspec. Based off of aspec, as that's what typically thought of as the spec version of anattractional. But with an- in front, like how anattractional is prefixed with an-.

(Later) I asked @isobug for a short version of anattractional, Isopod came up with anatt (and also anat, though I prefer the double T version because anat has other unrelated meanings).

Isopod later also came up with absolnian, an alt term to anattractional (similar idea to terms like anodiean), and the shortening absol/absolni.

-✦

I both terms, anspec for it's simplicity, and absol-spec/absolni-spec for how it matches with other aspec terms (like ace-spec, aro-spec, apl-spec, etc.), so I'm posting this with both names.

[ flag explanation ]

There are no specific stripe meanings for the flag. I just followed the general gradient style of other a-spec flags, and the way they're more colourful than their base flags (instead of using plain white, they use pastel coloured white, or dark colours instead of black/grey, for example).

Here's why I chose dark, almost purplish, blue: For main a-spec flag colours, like aromantic and aplatonic (purple blue green cream apl flag), the colours chosen are the "opposite" of their a-attraction (aromantic green is the opposite of red, which is associated with romance, and aplatonic uses the inverse of multiple colours associated with platonic). From there, I generally have this idea in my head that a- colours are cool/cold colours, the opposite of the warm colours colours associated with attractions. Of all the colours, all with the same value+saturation, the dark blue in between regular blue and purple is visually the darkest/coldest colour. So I felt that would fit as a colour to add to the -spec version of anattractional. (Colour wheel for reference)

Though I still think black is the best colour for representing anattractional. You could think of it like, black = no light, like how it's no attraction. Or subtractive colouring, where if you mixed all the main aspec flag colours (which is the probably the full rainbow at this point) together, then you get black (or at least a very dark colour). It's also just kind of iconic, like the more I look at it, the more I think the use of pitch black as the main colour is really unique/distinct/cool.

[shhhhimwatchingthis]

My favourite underrated thing about Louis de Point du Lac is that he truly is the least curious vampire to ever be made and he does not give fuck about vampires despite being one.

Its Claudia who goes to libraries, reads the folklore, tries to learn as much as she can and pushes Lestat for answers about who made him and where the others are. Claudia says Vampire Pride and Louis says hmmm Vampire Tolerance.

And Louis...truly does not care about vampire history,law, culture. He's never even thought to ask. There are vampire laws?...ok...Lestat never cared about them and he's not going to either, lol. He's broken a few and he will continue to do so. Oh you have a coven? he's not gonna join it, he's gonna do his own thing. but good for you good for you.

the 500+ year old Coven Leader, he's gonna call Louis, Maitre, actually.

He has fire powers? thats kinda cool. he'll learn that but only cause it lets him vent his feelings about Lestat.

Lestat and Armand say the name of the vampire queen in front of him and Lestat straight up says, "Louis has no idea who that is" and do you think Louis cares, outside of the fact that for some reason it means he can't kill Lestat? No! Do you think in the 77 years he's been with Armand he ever took 5 minutes to ask a follow up question? No!

Do you think he will care about Akasha in season 3? Doubt it! Outside of her obsession with Lestat, who is the only person left on the planet he seems to be able to filter Caring About This Shit through

He blatantly breaks the 3rd law and publishes a book about being a vampire and when the other vampires get pissed not only does he not apologise he literally sends them his location and says 'you wanna fight? lmao don't miss'

I love him. Daniel Molloy is gonna need to bring his A game because Louis will not be solving a single mystery next season, nor would it even occur to him to try.

[papier-ciseaux]

Happy ASAW 2024, here's something about community !

[send-up-my-heart-to-you]

garlic bread to share to your aspec friends :)

rb to share

[schizopositivity]

Things I'd love for the Internet to leave in 2023:

• misusing the word "delusional" or saying "delulu"

• public freakout videos that are just someone displaying psychotic symptoms

• "I'm in your walls" and other paranoia triggering "jokes"

• schizoposting

• misusing the word "psychotic"

• baiting and triggering people online who are openly psychotic or displaying psychotic symptoms

• excluding schizo-spec and psychotic people from any neurodiversity/mental illness awareness

Let's just all try to be better to schizo-spec and psychotic people. And hold others accountable as well.

[alder-knight]

Archive.org: "I Sexually Identify as an Attack Helicopter" by Isabel Fall

were you aware that the short story that got Isabel Fall bullied all the way off the internet and into fucking inpatient was truly brilliant? I was too grossed out by the twitter shitshow to read it when it came out and thus managed to only read it now. it was a Hugo finalist for a reason. I hope she can find it in herself to write again bc she's got really interesting and creative stuff to say. would recommend it if you haven't read it yet. 7726 words.

[aroace-ed]

every so often, i think, and it might be so selfish of me, but i crave to be someone's first choice. i want to be the person that someone sees fun things to do and their first thought is to ask me to go with them. i want someone to be willing to inconvenience themselves a little bit sometimes for me as i would do for them. i want to be looked at in a list of people and to have someone pick me out of all of them. i want to be held at the same level as a romantic partner in terms of effort and closeness. i want someone to want me as much as i want them, even though it's not in a romantic sense. i want to be important to someone.

[glitchedcosmos]

Characters dynamic that’s like “ they’re not in a romantic relationship but they definitely love each other with all their heart and fucking soul”

[pokimoko]

It's Aro-Spec Awareness Week again my friends, and that means it's time for more silly little critters! (You can find last year's here.) ✨Keep up the amazing work, fellow aros✨

[oxymoronicdumbass]

i walk a fine line between “i’m asexual and i hate how much the world revolves around sex” and “sex is way too stigmatized and people should be able to be more open about it if they want to”

[notherpuppet]

Cleaned up an old comic for Ace Alastor Week 2024!

Based on a convo between my friends and I on my birthday 🥳

[yami-no-kokoro]

[evocaitart]

Happy Ace Week 💜 Here's your regularly scheduled reminder that asexual people belong in the queer community because WE. ARE. QUEER!

If you like my lil ace bunnies, I have them as stickers in my shop!

Being Ace is Not a Choice Asexuality ≠ Celibacy! Many Aces TRY to feel attraction despite being unable. This can make them feel broken, wrong, and confused. It can take young Aces many years of suffering before they finally figure out that their sexuality just works differently from others. Being Ace is Not Just Low Libido Aces have a range of libidos. Many have a low libido and abstain from sex, but others have high libidos and enjoy sex for a number of reasons. Libido is your sex drive; the urge to partake in sexual activities. This urge is separate from attraction, which is WHO you feel sexual desire for. Aces are Not Heterosexual Heterosexuality = “attraction to the opposite sex”. Since Aces do not feel attraction to ANY gender or sex, they don’t fall under this definition. This point requires some nuance because many Ace sub-labels (such as Demisexual) CAN experience attraction in a limited or fluctuating capacity. However, the way that these labels experience sexuality still falls outside of what heterosexual society deems as “normal” attraction and can cause compatibility issues in relationships with non-Aces. That being said, some Aces still choose to identify with the Heterosexual label if it resonates with them. You can be both Heterosexual AND Ace, but being Ace is not the same as being Heterosexual! Discrimination/Struggle Happens Many people claim that Aces do not experience any discrimination and thus they don't belong in the queer community. This couldn't be further from the truth. Corrective assault, “it’s just a phase,” getting called mentally/physically ill, “you haven’t met the right person yet” are just a few examples. On top of the blatant discrimination listed above, Aces also deal with other struggles in our very sexual society, particularly when seeking romantic relationships. Aces who are sex-repulsed struggle to keep their partners satisfied in bed. Likewise, non-Ace partners often feel rejected and uncomfortable with the notion that Aces don't find them attractive. This disappointment from their partners can weigh heavily on Aces and make them feel broken/wrong.

Thank you for coming to my Ace talk hehehe. If you're Ace I hope you feel validated. If you're not, I hope you learned something!

[crocodiller]

When you fail the simple roll 10x and have to do the shameful switch to Astarion to not break more lock picks.