Gender Queer: A Memoir

AGAB is an acronym that stands for assigned gender at birth. Male or female gender markers appear on one’s birth certificate, usually determined by a medical professional who examines a newborn’s genitals. This usually determines the gender, social roles, and expectations one is raised with. AGAB can refer to AFAB, assigned female at birth, or AMAB, assigned male at birth.

An aromantic is somebody who either experiences no romantic attraction, little romantic attraction, or romantic attraction under very specific circumstances. Aromantics may seek sexual partners without wanting romance. Often, aromantic people feel that romance is indistinguishable from friendship, much like Kobabe does when Autumn describes what a relationship would entail. As a result, many aromantic people opt out of romantic pursuits. 

An asexual is somebody who either experiences no sexual attraction, little sexual attraction, or sexual attraction under very specific circumstances. An asexual person can still pursue romantic partners without seeking sex. Asexual people can still have sex drives and fantasies like Kobabe does, but they don’t necessarily need or want to engage sexually with others to satisfy their desires.