Sex-Favorable is a term for individuals who are favorable towards or enjoy sexual activities.[1] One can find ways to enjoy sexual activity in a physical or emotional way. One may consider the act of sex to be fun, enjoyable or may do it to feel intimate with their partner(s).[2] One does not necessarily need to feel sexual attraction to be sex-favorable.[3]
This is commonly used by those on the asexual spectrum, but is not exclusive to them.[4]
History
The term "sex-favorable" is believed to have been coined by writer Talia on an AVEN article published in 2013.[5] The idea of interaction stances were coined and given proper definitions by Reddit user AnonymousHermitCrab on the asexual subreddit.[6]
Flags & Symbols
A sex-favorable flag was created by Tumblr user Beyond MOGAI Pride Flags on January 15, 2018. There is no known meaning behind the flag. However, the flag is also labeled as the sex-positive flag.[4]
An alternative sex-favorable flag was created by Tumblr user chaoscoining on February 9, 2023. There is no known meaning behind the flag.[7]
Community
Perceptions and Discrimination
Those on the asexual spectrum who are sex-favorable may be excluded from the asexual community, assumed to not be "real asexuals."[8] Asexual individuals are often afraid to speak about their personal experiences and relationship with sex due to fear of being excluded from the asexual community.[9]
Sex-favorable is often misinterpreted as sex-positive, but they are not the same thing. Sex-positivity is a belief that safe sex between consenting individuals and bodily autonomy are important. Sex-favorable is one's own personal attitude towards having sex for oneself.[10]
Subterms
| Label | Flag | Description | Coiner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sex-Piqued |  [7]
|
When one is favorable towards sexual interaction due to trauma recovery, mania or other causes. | AnonymousHermitCrab[6] |
Related Terms
| Label | Relationship | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Friendship-Favorable | Counterpart | When one is favorable towards or enjoys platonic interaction. |
| Romance-Favorable | Counterpart | When one is favorable towards or enjoys romantic interaction. |
| Sex-Ambivalent | Counterpart | When one has mixed or complicated feelings regarding sexual interaction. |
| Sex-Averse | Opposite | When one is repulsed by sexual interactions involving themselves. |
| Sex-Desired | Similar | When one actively desires sexual interaction. |
| Sex-Drained | Opposite | When one is repulsed by sexual interaction due to trauma or exhaustion. |
| Sex-Indifferent | Counterpart | When one is indifferent towards sexual interaction. |
| Sex-Oscillating | Counterpart | When one's feelings towards sexual interaction change and/or fluctuate over time. |
| Sex-Repulsed | Opposite | When one is repulsed by sexual interaction. |
| Touch-Favorable | Counterpart | When one is favorable towards or enjoys sensual interaction. |
Sources
- ↑ Sweeteli92. “Reddit - Dive into Anything.” Reddit.com, 2023, www.reddit.com/r/asexuality/comments/14v3tet/what_does_sex_favorable_mean/?rdt=46413. Accessed 26 Jan. 2025.
- ↑ “Asexuals and Attitudes towards Sex | the Asexual Visibility and Education Network | Asexuality.org.” Www.asexuality.org, www.asexuality.org/?q=attitudes.html.
- ↑ Guest. “What Is the “Sex-Favorable”?” The Asexual Visibility & Education Network, 5 Apr. 2022, www.asexuality.org/en/topic/229846-what-is-the-%E2%80%9Csex-favorable%E2%80%9D/.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 beyond-mogai-pride-flags. “Sex and Romance Positive/Favorable Pride Flags.” Tumblr, 15 Jan. 2018, beyond-mogai-pride-flags.tumblr.com/post/169725540390/sex-and-romance-positivefavorable-pride-flags. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
- ↑ Siggy. “In Defense of “Sex-Favorable.”” The Asexual Agenda, 8 Apr. 2015, asexualagenda.wordpress.com/2015/04/08/in-defense-of-sex-favorable/. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 AnonymousHermitCrab. “Coining/Recoining Interaction Stance Terms.” Reddit, 27 Apr. 2022, www.reddit.com/r/asexuality/comments/ucy0kl/coiningrecoining_interaction_stance_terms/.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 chaoscoining. “Sex Stances Expansion & Design Edits.” Tumblr, 9 Feb. 2023, www.tumblr.com/chaoscoining/708824153616187392/sex-stances-design-edits.
- ↑ Pramana. “Sex-Favourable Asexuals and the Asexual Community.” Asexual Visibility and Education Network, 9 Mar. 2017, www.asexuality.org/en/topic/152523-sex-favourable-asexuals-and-the-asexual-community/. Accessed 26 Jan. 2025.
- ↑ Talia. “Living as a Sex-Favourable Asexual.” The Asexual Agenda, 30 Sept. 2015, asexualagenda.wordpress.com/2015/09/29/living-as-a-sex-favourable-asexual/. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
- ↑ elamarth-calmagol. “Sex Positive vs. Sex Favorable.” Tumblr, 7 June 2021, www.tumblr.com/elamarth-calmagol/653293183405621248/theyre-not-the-same-thing-sex-positive. Accessed 26 Jan. 2025.