Allonormativity is the concept that all humans experience sexual attraction and romantic attraction. It is the force which upholds compulsory sexuality, the social systems and structures which privilege or incentivize sexual relationships over single individuals.[1][2]
The term could be considered an expansion of heteronormativity, the idea that heterosexuality is the default or normative sexuality. The term is often used when discussing the pathologization,[3] erasure,[4] and dehumanization[5] of asexual and aromantic individuals in society, media, and within academic discourses.
Etymology
Allonormativity was derived from allosexual, which in turn was derived from the Greek prefix allo-, meaning different or other, and -sexual, i.e., attraction directed towards a target outside the self. The second element, -normativity, refers to the societal worldview which deems allosexuality as normal or desired.
Effects
Allonormativity, by its definition, denies the existence of asexual identity in humans. Thus, growing up in an allonormative society may lead to asexual individuals feeling broken or isolated prior to or even after learning about asexuality.[4][6] Because allonormativity presents asexuality as deviant, it also contributes to the pathologization of and discrimination against asexual people.[7][8]
