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[[File:Altersex pride flag.png|thumb|220x220px|The altersex flag]] |
[[File:Altersex pride flag.png|thumb|220x220px|The altersex flag]] |
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'''Altersex''' or '''alteradic''' is a term that can either mean "having or desiring [[sex]] traits that deviate from what would be considered the sex characteristics of a [[müllerian]] or [[wolffian]] individual, while also not having naturally developed these traits". Altersex is not a third category between [[intersex]] and [[perisex]], but rather an additional label anyone can use. |
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'''Altersex''' is a [[Umbrella|catch-all]] adjective to describe primary and secondary physical [[sex]] characteristics or a combination of that do not align with typical arrangements.<ref name=":0">https://web.archive.org/web/20220130121558/https://web.archive.org/web/20200203031455/https://www.weasyl.com/journal/90896#cid210281</ref> |
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The term is largely intended to describe fictional characters that have a mix of physical sex characteristics, but this usage is not exclusive.<ref name=":0" /> |
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[[Intersex]] individuals can identify as altersex, as the definition of the term has changed over time. The original definition was exclusionary towards intersex people. It is important to note that intersex traits are not altersex, as intersex sex characteristics are naturally developed, and often present at birth; rather than being modified or changed later in life. |
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Definitions of altersex have been developed and re-clarified to include individuals who have an internalised view of their desired altersex body or identity, rather than just individuals who physically have said altersex body. This also includes those who experience [[dysphoria]] due to a disconnect with their current body sex, and those who experience [[Genital Euphoria|euphoria]] when considering themselves to be altersex.<ref name=":1">https://www.reddit.com/r/altersex/comments/unmlco/welcome/</ref><ref name=":2">https://pride-color-schemes.tumblr.com/post/161266440525/altersex</ref> |
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Altersex was originally intended to be used mostly for fictional characters to describe body plans that are not found naturally in humans ([[phantasex]]), but are not considered intersex within the fiction. |
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[[File:Altersex.png|thumb|220x220px|Alternate altersex flag with symbol]] |
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Altersex does not imply any specific sex characteristics. This allows for privacy of the altersex individual and avoids reducing individuals to their genitalia. It is neutral descriptor for any individual who is not [[protosex]]. Some altersex individuals/characters may resemble the binary sexes to some degree but have complex bodily differences. |
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This definition is often considered especially imperative in advocating the respect for altersex individuals who desire an impossible arrangement of sexual characteristics. Said individuals do not have the option to undergo the desired hormonal therapy or surgical procedures, since said practices are not currently possible, but these individuals are still considered altersex by the developed definition due to their internalised view of oneself.<ref name=":2" /> |
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Examples of real life individuals who may identify as altersex include: |
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Altersex is also defined as any of the sexes (not individuals themselves) that are neither [[intersex]] nor [[perisex]] (sexes with typical [[binary]] [[male]] or binary [[female]] characteristics).<ref name=":1" /> This specification would mean that conditions such as [[Androgen Resistance|androgen resistance]] would not fall under the altersex umbrella. However an intersex individual may still describe themselves as altersex if they have or desire a differing variation of physical sexual characteristics.<ref name=":2" /> |
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*Individuals who have medically changed their sex characteristics (through [[HRT]] or surgery). Making it so their combination of chromosomes, primary, and secondary sex characteristics no longer strictly fits the definition of binary. Someone who has this experience might also consider themself to be [[transsex]]. |
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*Individuals who have the physical desire to have ambiguous sex characteristics or a mix of sex characteristics. Terms relating to this experience are [[salmacian]], [[afabris]], [[amabris]], [[AMAB-V]], [[AFAB-P]], and [[sinealt]], among others. |
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*Individuals desiring little to no sex characteristics, or missing sex characteristics. Terms to describe this include [[angenital]] and [[angonadal]]. |
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*Individuals desiring sex characteristics that are not naturally possible in humans or animals. Terms to describe this include [[xenogenital]], [[floragenital]], [[astrogenital]], [[cyberex]], [[machinex]], and [[morphisex]]. |
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* Individuals desiring sex characteristics that are animalistic in nature. The specific term for this is [[faunagenital]]. |
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*Individuals who desire gonads and/or reproductive traits that are different than what they were born with or currently have, and may or may not be biologically possible. A term to describe this is [[diffprodu]]. |
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Some examples of altersex bodies include: |
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=== Fictional forms === |
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*having both a [[penis]] and a clitoris; |
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{{Main|Page=Phantasex}} |
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*having a penis but no testicles; |
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Altersex can also be used to describe fictional characters. Characters who may be described as altersex include: |
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*having breasts, a penis, testicles, and [[vulva]]; |
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*having a penis that resembles that of an animal's penis; |
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* Characters who fit criteria stated in the "real individuals" section. |
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*having alien-like/fantasy/mechanical genitalia instead of typical human genitalia; |
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*Characters born with a combination or mix of sex characteristics that would be considered intersex in the real world but are not in the world of the fiction. |
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*having no sexual characteristics at all.<ref name=":0" /> |
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* Characters who have sex characteristics or a combination of sex characteristics that are not naturally possible in (real life) humans (That is not considered a variation of intersex in the fiction). |
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The term was created as being entirely separate from intersex, [[sexual orientation]], and [[gender]] concepts.<ref name=":0" /> |
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* Characters who have a sex based on/inspired by a real life animal that does not fit the male/female sex binary (that is considered normal for their species within the fiction). |
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*Characters of a fictional/impossible/alien sex that does not fit the male/female sex binary (that is considered normal for their species within the fiction). |
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*Characters who can change their sex through shape-shifting or other fictional means. |
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Various altersex [[Microlabel|microlabels]] have been created by the queer community to define specific arrangements of sexual characteristics, such as [[angenital]] (lacking any form of genitalia). |
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== History == |
== History == |
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The concept of altersex was originally coined as demisex on the 23rd of July, 2015 by forum Weasyl user SpottyJaguar.<ref name=":3">https://web.archive.org/web/20220127033646/https://ask-pride-color-schemes.tumblr.com/post/184001186579/hey-im-just-clarifying-that-i-didnt-coin</ref> Altersex was recommended as an alternative name by user farorenightclaw, due to the lexical similarity of demisex with the [[orientation]] [[demisexual]], as well as the meaning of the prefix ''demi'' (''half'') being an inaccurate descriptor.<ref name=":0" /><ref>https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/demi-</ref> SpottyJaguar initially defined altersex as:<blockquote>...a catch-all term consisting of ''alter'', meant here as "different" or "another possibility," and ''sex'', referring to physiological primary and secondary sex characteristics. Alterssx<sup>[sic]</sup> is meant to be used largely, but not exclusively, for fictional characters, describing body plans that are a mix of things, rather than the usually-found configurations.<ref name=":0" /></blockquote>It was created as a category for non-standard "body plans", including fantastical, imaginary, or physiologically impossible designs. The term was coined to provide additional terminology for fictional characters to establish more effective and direct methods of describing them and their traits, including characters that did not [[transition]] to having their specified anatomy due to always having been altersex. Though it was not explicitly intended for usage by real-world individuals, its applications for [[Wikipedia:Otherkin|otherkin]], [[Sexfluid|sex-fluid]], and other atypical sex minorities were considered equally appropriate. It was also designed to decrease the usage of [[Transphobia|transphobic]] and [[Intersexism|intersexist]] slurs and sexually objectifying terminology (such as [[hermaphrodite]], [[cuntboy]], [[D*ckgirl|dickgirl]], etc.) that were especially present in art created in online spaces at the time.<ref name=":0" /> |
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The term altersex was coined by Farorenightclaw on or before July 23, 2015<ref>{{Archive|Site=web|URL=https://www.google.com/amp/s/ask-pride-color-schemes.tumblr.com/post/184001186579/hey-im-just-clarifying-that-i-didnt-coin/amp}}</ref><ref>{{Archive|Site=web|URL=https://www.deviantart.com/pride-flags/art/Altersex-683411440}}</ref><ref>{{Archive|Site=web|URL=https://web.archive.org/web/20200203031455/https://www.weasyl.com/journal/90896#cid210281}}</ref><ref>{{Archive|Site=web|URL=https://nibi.space/körper}}</ref>. The term was coined to address the usage of intersexist slurs when describing characters who are not intersex, but are not strictly endosex in fiction either, as well as non-traditional corporeality/body plans or modified sex traits. The term was used to stop intersexism and transphobia surrounding the bodies of fictional characters and real people, and was later described as a sex category of somatic nature by some altersex people. |
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Some community members expressed concern that the ''altersex'' term was merely a re-branding of transphobia and intersexism, and that a new term being created as an alternative to slurs would not resolve the unaddressed fetishization of individuals with atypical sexual characteristics.<ref name=":0" /> |
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The altersex symbol was created by Intelligent-Ad6222 on November 16, 2022.<ref> |
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{{Archive|Site=web|URL=https://archive.is/UzVvP}}</ref> |
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The definition of altersex was later expanded on by pastelroswell, this definition being published by pride-color-schemes on the 31st of May, 2017.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":2" /> |
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==Etymology== |
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The flag was designed by Pastelmemer on May 29, 2017. The color meanings are as follows: |
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The English prefix ''alter'' means "to become different" and "to change the form or structure of".<ref>[[wiktionary:alter#English]]</ref> Other alternative name suggestions include:<ref name=":0" /> |
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*amplisex ([[Wiktionary:ample|ample]] - abundant or bountiful) |
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*hedosex (a sexualised term, ''[[Wikipedia:wikt:Hedone|hēdonē]]'' - pleasure) |
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*[[phantasex]] (fantasy - impossible body plans, [[Wiktionary:phantasy|phantasy]] or [[Wiktionary:phantasm|phantasm]] - having no physical reality) |
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*iridisex ([[Wiktionary:iridescence|iridescence]] - a rainbow and its queer connotations) |
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*liberasex ([[Wiktionary:libera|libera]] - freedom) |
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*metasex ([[Wiktionary:meta-|meta]] - above, beyond) |
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*peransex ([[Wikipedia:wikt:πέρα|πέρᾱ]] - across, beyond) |
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*polysex ([[Wiktionary:poly|poly]] - many sexes, not to be confused with the sexual orientation [https://new.lgbtqia.wiki/wiki/Polysexual polysexual]) |
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*pulchrisex ([[Wiktionary:pulcher|pulcher]] - beautiful) |
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*bisex or binisex ([[Wiktionary:bi-|bi]] - two, not to be confused with the sexual orientation [https://new.lgbtqia.wiki/wiki/Bisexual bisexual]) |
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*duasex or duosex ([[Wiktionary:duo-|duo]] - two, alternative to bisex) |
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*trisex ([[Wiktionary:tri-|tri]] - three) |
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*mutisexual ([[Wiktionary:muto|muto]] - to represent personal desires changing, to alter or change) |
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The altersex flag was created by pastelmemer and published by Tumblr blog pride-color-schemes on the 31st of May, 2017. The mint green stripe represents specific altersex identities (such as angenital and [[salmacian]]), the green hue representing abundance of possibly body types, and the growth of those who physically transition into their true bodies. The blue stripe represents fluid physical sexual characteristics. The white stripe and triangle represents transcendence, as well as bodies that lack any physical sexual characteristics. The purple stripe represents the alternative non-traditional nature of altersex bodies. The pink represents physical sexual characteristics in general.<ref name=":2" /> |
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The altersex symbol was created on the 16th of November, 2022 by Reddit user Intelligent-Ad6222.<ref>https://archive.is/UzVvP</ref> |
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== Related Terms == |
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* [[Aldernic]] |
* [[Aldernic]] |
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* [[ |
* [[Transsexual]] |
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* [[Altergender]] |
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* [[Salmacian]] |
* [[Salmacian]] |
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* [[Mh:mogai:Varioformic|Varioformic]] |
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* [[Androgyne]] |
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== Resources == |
== Resources == |
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<references /> |
<references /> |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Altersex Traits]] |
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[[Category:Altersex Traits| ]] |
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Latest revision as of 10:39, 28 June 2024
Altersex is a catch-all adjective to describe primary and secondary physical sex characteristics or a combination of that do not align with typical arrangements.[1]
The term is largely intended to describe fictional characters that have a mix of physical sex characteristics, but this usage is not exclusive.[1]
Definitions of altersex have been developed and re-clarified to include individuals who have an internalised view of their desired altersex body or identity, rather than just individuals who physically have said altersex body. This also includes those who experience dysphoria due to a disconnect with their current body sex, and those who experience euphoria when considering themselves to be altersex.[2][3]
This definition is often considered especially imperative in advocating the respect for altersex individuals who desire an impossible arrangement of sexual characteristics. Said individuals do not have the option to undergo the desired hormonal therapy or surgical procedures, since said practices are not currently possible, but these individuals are still considered altersex by the developed definition due to their internalised view of oneself.[3]
Altersex is also defined as any of the sexes (not individuals themselves) that are neither intersex nor perisex (sexes with typical binary male or binary female characteristics).[2] This specification would mean that conditions such as androgen resistance would not fall under the altersex umbrella. However an intersex individual may still describe themselves as altersex if they have or desire a differing variation of physical sexual characteristics.[3]
Some examples of altersex bodies include:
- having both a penis and a clitoris;
- having a penis but no testicles;
- having breasts, a penis, testicles, and vulva;
- having a penis that resembles that of an animal's penis;
- having alien-like/fantasy/mechanical genitalia instead of typical human genitalia;
- having no sexual characteristics at all.[1]
The term was created as being entirely separate from intersex, sexual orientation, and gender concepts.[1]
Various altersex microlabels have been created by the queer community to define specific arrangements of sexual characteristics, such as angenital (lacking any form of genitalia).
History
The concept of altersex was originally coined as demisex on the 23rd of July, 2015 by forum Weasyl user SpottyJaguar.[4] Altersex was recommended as an alternative name by user farorenightclaw, due to the lexical similarity of demisex with the orientation demisexual, as well as the meaning of the prefix demi (half) being an inaccurate descriptor.[1][5] SpottyJaguar initially defined altersex as:
...a catch-all term consisting of alter, meant here as "different" or "another possibility," and sex, referring to physiological primary and secondary sex characteristics. Alterssx[sic] is meant to be used largely, but not exclusively, for fictional characters, describing body plans that are a mix of things, rather than the usually-found configurations.[1]
It was created as a category for non-standard "body plans", including fantastical, imaginary, or physiologically impossible designs. The term was coined to provide additional terminology for fictional characters to establish more effective and direct methods of describing them and their traits, including characters that did not transition to having their specified anatomy due to always having been altersex. Though it was not explicitly intended for usage by real-world individuals, its applications for otherkin, sex-fluid, and other atypical sex minorities were considered equally appropriate. It was also designed to decrease the usage of transphobic and intersexist slurs and sexually objectifying terminology (such as hermaphrodite, cuntboy, dickgirl, etc.) that were especially present in art created in online spaces at the time.[1]
Some community members expressed concern that the altersex term was merely a re-branding of transphobia and intersexism, and that a new term being created as an alternative to slurs would not resolve the unaddressed fetishization of individuals with atypical sexual characteristics.[1]
The definition of altersex was later expanded on by pastelroswell, this definition being published by pride-color-schemes on the 31st of May, 2017.[4][3]
Etymology
The English prefix alter means "to become different" and "to change the form or structure of".[6] Other alternative name suggestions include:[1]
- amplisex (ample - abundant or bountiful)
- hedosex (a sexualised term, hēdonē - pleasure)
- phantasex (fantasy - impossible body plans, phantasy or phantasm - having no physical reality)
- iridisex (iridescence - a rainbow and its queer connotations)
- liberasex (libera - freedom)
- metasex (meta - above, beyond)
- peransex (πέρᾱ - across, beyond)
- polysex (poly - many sexes, not to be confused with the sexual orientation polysexual)
- pulchrisex (pulcher - beautiful)
- bisex or binisex (bi - two, not to be confused with the sexual orientation bisexual)
- duasex or duosex (duo - two, alternative to bisex)
- trisex (tri - three)
- mutisexual (muto - to represent personal desires changing, to alter or change)
Flags
The altersex flag was created by pastelmemer and published by Tumblr blog pride-color-schemes on the 31st of May, 2017. The mint green stripe represents specific altersex identities (such as angenital and salmacian), the green hue representing abundance of possibly body types, and the growth of those who physically transition into their true bodies. The blue stripe represents fluid physical sexual characteristics. The white stripe and triangle represents transcendence, as well as bodies that lack any physical sexual characteristics. The purple stripe represents the alternative non-traditional nature of altersex bodies. The pink represents physical sexual characteristics in general.[3]
The altersex symbol was created on the 16th of November, 2022 by Reddit user Intelligent-Ad6222.[7]
See Also
Resources
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 https://web.archive.org/web/20220130121558/https://web.archive.org/web/20200203031455/https://www.weasyl.com/journal/90896#cid210281
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 https://www.reddit.com/r/altersex/comments/unmlco/welcome/
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 https://pride-color-schemes.tumblr.com/post/161266440525/altersex
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 https://web.archive.org/web/20220127033646/https://ask-pride-color-schemes.tumblr.com/post/184001186579/hey-im-just-clarifying-that-i-didnt-coin
- ↑ https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/demi-
- ↑ wiktionary:alter#English
- ↑ https://archive.is/UzVvP