Caedsexual is an orientation on the asexual spectrum where a person feels their allosexuality (sexual attraction) was "cut away" due to past trauma.
Understanding Caedsexuality
Here's a more detailed explanation of caedsexual:
- Asexual Spectrum: Caedsexual falls under the asexual spectrum, meaning it's related to a lack of, varying, or specific sexual attraction.
- Trauma-Related: The key defining factor is the link to past trauma. Individuals identify as caedsexual because they believe their capacity for sexual attraction was diminished or eliminated because of a traumatic experience.
- Past Allosexuality: Caedsexual individuals may identify as having been allosexual (experiencing sexual attraction) before the trauma occurred. This is a crucial element of the definition.
Caedsexual vs. Other Identities
It's important to distinguish caedsexual from other asexual and related identities:
| Identity | Description | Trauma Related? |
|---|---|---|
| Caedsexual | Allosexuality diminished or lost due to trauma. | Yes |
| Asexual | Lack of sexual attraction. | No (inherent) |
| Demisexual | Experiences sexual attraction only after forming a strong emotional bond. | Not necessarily |
| Graysexual | Experiences sexual attraction rarely or only under specific circumstances. | Not necessarily |
| Trauma-Response Asexuality | Experiencing asexuality as a result of trauma; not specifically identifying with caedsexual. | Yes |
Important Considerations
- Self-Identification: As with any sexual orientation, the term caedsexual is a self-identified label.
- Not a Diagnosis: Being caedsexual is not a medical or psychological diagnosis.
- Varied Experiences: Trauma manifests differently in individuals. Therefore, the experience of being caedsexual can vary widely. Some individuals may experience a complete lack of sexual attraction, while others might experience a significantly reduced level.
- Healing and Identity: It's important to remember that healing from trauma can be a complex process. An individual's sexual identity may evolve over time as they heal.
- Reference from LGBTA Wiki: According to the LGBTA Wiki, "Caedsexual, or caedosexual is an orientation on the asexual spectrum, defined as someone who feels that they were, at one point allosexual, but that has been taken or “cut away” from them due to past trauma."
