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WHAT IS ASEXUALITY?

The “A” in LGBTQIA+
Sexual orientation w/ lack of sexual, physical attraction toward others
May experience romantic attraction or not, but they do not feel the same desire for sexual intimacy as others

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QUICK STATS

Demographics

Intersectionality

Healthcare

Safety

A majority of asexual individuals are assigned female at birth. 1-2% of the population are thought to be ace

In the 2021 Ace Community Survey, about one in three ace participants identified as nonbinary.

61% of aces worry about being able to keep their health insurance, compared to 48% of all LGBTQ+ people. (HRC.ORG)

83.8% of aces avoid being open about their sexuality for fear of a negative reaction from others, the most of any LGBTQIA+ group. (Stonewall.org.uk)

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Stereotypes & Discriminations

Consummation

Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder

Conversion Therapy

Sex-Repulsed

In some jurisdictions, marriage may be legally challenged if it remains unconsummated, which can be an issue for asexual couples.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) called asexuality a disorder, such as (HSDD), led to the belief that asexuality needed to be "fixed."

Asexuality has been dismissed as a mental illness or a phase. Thus, some asexual individuals may have faced harmful conversion therapy practices.

Many asexual people are indifferent to sex or may even enjoy it in certain contexts.

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THE BIOLOGY OF IT ALL

Biology ≠ Attraction

Biology

Attraction

-Occurs SEPARATE of biology

-Depends on who, if anyone, who find physically appealing

-Happens in “the brain” (internal), not the body (external stimulation)

-Bluntly, biology still happens if you’re ace, meaning you still can experience:

-Libido, urge to masterbate, orgasms

–Like an bite: Feels good to scratch but would rather not have the bite in the first place

-Doesn’t make you less ace

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Identities vs Sublabels

Identities describe broad points on the spectrum
Microlabels describe finer terms that pinpoint a unique facet of an individual's ace experience

Guide to Identities & Sublabels

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Identities

Aceflux: A sexual orientation where a person's sexual attraction level changes but generally stays on the asexual spectrum, sometimes even feeling allosexual.
Acespike: Someone who usually doesn't feel sexual attraction but occasionally has rare, sudden, and intense spikes of sexual attraction that last for a very short time before returning to asexuality.
Asexual (Ace): A person who does not experience sexual attraction and/or sexual desire.
Demisexual: Experiences sexual attraction only after establishing a close emotional and/or romantic bond with another person.
Graysexual (Greysexual): Experiences sexual attraction infrequently—only once or twice in life, or more often but still not nearly as frequently as an allosexual.

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Identities

Fictosexual (Fictisexual/Fictonsexual/Fictionsexuals/Fictionalsexuals): Experiences sexual attraction exclusively towards fictional characters, or whose sexuality is influenced by them.
Fraysexual (Ignotasexual): Experiences sexual attraction at first, but loses it once they get to know the person and form a deep bond (the opposite of demisexual).
Lithosexual (Akoisexual): May experience sexual attraction but does not want it reciprocated. They may be uncomfortable or lose the attraction if they learn it's reciprocated.
Reciprosexual (Recipsexual): Does not experience sexual attraction until they know the other person is sexually attracted to them first.

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Sublabels

Aegosexual (Autochorissexual): Experiences a disconnection between themself and the subject of arousal. They may have sexual fantasies, watch/read erotic content, or masturbate, but feel little to no sexual attraction and usually don't desire sex with others.
Apothisexual: Someone on the asexual spectrum who is also sex-aversed or sex-repulsed. They are averse to engaging in sexual activities themselves.
Bellussexual: Interested in certain aspects of sexual actions, and/or the aesthetic of a sexual relationship, but does not feel sexual attraction and does not want a sexual relationship.
Caedsexual (Caedosexual): Someone who felt they were allosexual at some point but is now asexual due to past trauma (only to be used by trauma survivors/those with PTSD).

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Sublabels

Cupiosexual (Kalossexual): Does not experience sexual attraction, yet desires a sexual relationship (commonly sex-favorable).
Myrsexual: Experiences multiple asexual identities at once or rapidly fluctuates between them, making it a more comfortable umbrella label for their confusion.
Quoisexual: Someone who doesn't relate to and/or understand experiences or concepts of sexual attraction and orientation, or is unsure if they experience sexual attraction at all.
Requissexual (Requiessexual): Has very limited or no sexual attraction and interest due to some form of emotional exhaustion (e.g., from past experiences dealing with sex).

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Questions about Microlabels

Acewave

Demisexual

Demiromantic

For those on the demi/gray scales, a term to describe the alternating feelings of being sexually interested and sexually disinterested

A person only experiences sexual attraction after forming a strong emotional bond with someone

An individual only experiences romantic attraction after forming a strong emotional connection with someone

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Yasmin Benoit

Asexual activist, model

The only reason I noticed I was asexual was around the time everyone else realised they weren't asexual. I remember coming back from the summer holidays thinking, what's happened to everyone?

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Asexuality & Attraction

An Overview of Split-Model Attraction

The Split Attraction Model (SAM) is a framework that distinguishes between a person's sexual attraction and their romantic attraction, allowing these two orientations to be different from one another.

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Types of Attraction

Sensual

Emotional

Aesthetic

There are several types of attraction besides physical, ie:

Attraction to someone's personality, character, and emotional connection. It's about feeling a deep emotional bond and enjoying their company

Appreciation for someone's physical appearance, often considered separate from sexual attraction. It can be admiration for their beauty, style, or overall aesthetic.

Desire for physical touch and intimacy beyond sexual activity. It can include cuddling, hugging, and other forms of physical affection.

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Intellectual

Romantic

Platonic/Queerplatonic

Aromantic

Romantic relationships, such as dating, marriage, or long-term partnerships. It involves emotional connection, intimacy, and a desire for companionship.

A deep and meaningful connection with another person that goes beyond typical friendship, but without the presence of romantic or sexual attraction

Attraction to someone's intelligence, wit, and intellect. It's about finding their ideas and perspectives stimulating and engaging.

Individuals who experience a lack of romantic love, infatuation, or desire for romantic relationships

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Sex Attitudes

Sex-repulsed: describes a strong aversion or discomfort with sex

Sex-indifferent having no particular positive or negative feelings toward sex, and may or may not lead to sexual activities a strong aversion or discomfort with sex

Sex-favorable describes a positive attitude and potential enjoyment or seeking out of sex

Sex-ambivalent indicates mixed or fluctuating feelings about sex

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Political and social terms

Sex-positive is a political or social stance that views sex positively, regardless of personal desire for it. It can also refer to asexual people who are willing to have sex, though this is a newer and non-standard usage.

Sex-negative is a political or moral stance that expresses aversion to sex as a whole.

Ace/aro erasure refers to the denial of asexuality and aromanticism.

Acephobia (or aphobia) is prejudice against asexual people.

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