Asexual, often shortened to Ace,[1] is a sexual orientation that describes an individual who feels little to no sexual attraction.[2] Some may also describe it as a low interest in sexual activity.[3] It is considered an umbrella term, usually referring to the asexual spectrum, while also being a stand-alone identity.[4]
This is different from celibacy or abstinence, as those terms refer to the choice to refrain from engaging in sexual interactions. Someone who is asexual may still choose to engage in sexual interactions for various reasons.[5]
There are asexual individuals who may have a low libido and may not desire sex, but that is not the case for everyone. Some asexual individuals may have a libido and may experience sexual desire. An asexual individual may still have sex to satisfy their libido, to conceive children, to please a partner, to experience the physical pleasure of sex, to show and/or receive affection, or for the sensual pleasure of sex.[1]
Every asexual individual is different. Some might feel repulsed by sex, some might feel indifferent about it, and some might be favorable towards it.
Etymology[edit | edit source]
The term comes from the Greek prefix a-, meaning "not."[6]
History[edit | edit source]
The concept of asexuality when applied to human sexuality originated in the 1890s. German sexologist Magnus Hirschfield made a reference to individuals without any sexual desire in his work, Sappho und Sokrates, referring to them as "anesthesia sexual."[7]
The modern understanding of asexuality comes from the 20th century, most notably with the Kinsey Scale, with Category X being created for those with "no socio-sexual contacts or reactions."[7]
The term gained popularity after it was used to expand ideas about sexuality, appearing in a New York Radical Feminist manifesto and being featured in a personal essay by Zoe O'Reilly.[7]
In 2001, David Jay founded the Asexual Visibility and Education Network (AVEN).[7]
Flags & Symbols[edit | edit source]
In August of 2010, the asexual flag was voted on after debate over having an asexual flag, how to set up a system to create one, and contacting as many asexual communities as possible. The black represents asexuality, the grey represents the grey area between sexual and asexual, white represents sexuality, and purple represents community.[8]
Wearing a black ring on one's middle finger, typically on the right hand, is known as the "ace ring." It has become a way to subtly identify someone as asexual. The origin of the black ring comes from a thread from 2005.[9]
Before the asexual flag, asexuality was symbolized by the AVEN triangle. The symbol is based on the Kinsey Scale. At first, it was a triangle with a solid, black tip, but many felt left out for not being "100% asexual." A gradient was added to represent the spectrum and variety of asexual experiences.[10]
Another symbol for asexuality is the Unicode symbol that consists of a circle. This symbol also denotes being sexless or genderless.[11]
Community[edit | edit source]
Statistics[edit | edit source]
It is believed that around 1% of the population is asexual, but experts believe the number to be higher.[2]
A study by Williams Institute shows that 1.7% of individuals within the LGBTQ+ community identify as asexual. Within that percentage, 27% of asexual individuals identify as women and 72% identify as genderqueer or non-binary.[12]
Perceptions and Discrimination[edit | edit source]
There are individuals who think there is something medically wrong with asexual individuals, however asexuality is not a medical concern or something that needs to be fixed.[1]
There is also the belief that asexuality is only the result of someone not finding the right partners.[1]
According to the Human Rights Campaign's 2021 LGBTQ Community Survey, 82% of asexual individuals said their highest priority health concern is mental health challenges, including depression and anxiety. These challenges are rooted in stigma and myths about asexual individuals. Asexual individuals may be met with disbelief or dismissal, while others may try to pressure asexual individuals into having sex, believing it will change their lack of sexual attraction.[13]
The 2015 Asexual Community Census Summary Report found that 35.4% of asexual individuals reported having been groped or kissed when they didn't consent or were unable to consent, 18.5% of asexual individuals reported having had sex due to pressure from a partner, and 43.5% of asexual individuals reported to have experienced sexual violence.[14]
Asexual individuals are often excluded from the LGBTQ+ community and told that they "don't belong in the community."[15]
Known Individuals[edit | edit source]
- Dearlie is an asexual musician[16]
Representation[edit | edit source]
Asexual individuals are often portrayed poorly in the media, being seen as broken or the subject of ridicule. Because of the belief of "sex sells" and the media's emphasis on sex being the be-all and end-all of personal fulfillment, characters in media who don't want or don't have sex are often portrayed as immature, shy or insecure rather than simply disinterested.[13]
Explicit asexual representation is uncommon. When it does occur, it's often cast as a joke, as illegitimate, or as an obstacle for a character to overcome. This typically involves attempting to "fix" the asexual character so that they become interested in sex. Meanwhile, some depictions simply amount to erasure.[13]
Comics[edit | edit source]
TV[edit | edit source]
Related Attractions[edit | edit source]
| Orientation | Attraction |
|---|---|
| Adomestic | Domestic |
| Analterous | Alterous |
| Ansthetic | Aesthetic |
| Aplatonic | Platonic |
| Aqueerplatonic | Queerplatonic |
| Aromantic | Romantic |
| Asensual | Sensual |
Subterms[edit | edit source]
| Label | Flag | Description | Coiner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aceflux |  [22]
|
Fluctuating between feeling sexual attraction and lacking sexual attraction. | Unknown |
| Acefog |  [23]
|
Unsure if one experiences sexual attraction due to neurodivergence. | emostiims[23] |
| Ace-Jump |  [24]
|
Normally allosexual, but occasionally experiencing a lack of sexual attraction. | luigis-mogai-mansion[24] |
| Acespike |  [25]
|
Normally asexual, but occasionally experiencing intense sexual attraction. | cyzu[25] |
| Acevague |  [26]
|
Asexuality is influenced by one's neurodivergence. | transboy-lou[26] |
| Acevoid |  [27]
|
Experiencing no orientations except asexual. | aromagpie[27] |
| Rat Ace |  [28]
|
An asexual individual who prefers cuddles, hugs, kisses and other affectionate and sensual non-sexual acts. | PhoeniXXTalon[29] |
Sources[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Sian Ferguson. “What Does It Mean to Be Asexual?” Healthline, Healthline Media, 18 Sept. 2019, www.healthline.com/health/what-is-asexual.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Barrell, Amanda. “Asexuality: What It Means to Be Asexual.” Www.medicalnewstoday.com, 10 Dec. 2019, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/327272.
- ↑ “What Is Asexual?” WebMD, www.webmd.com/sex/what-is-asexual.
- ↑ The Trevor Project. “Understanding Asexuality.” The Trevor Project, 20 Aug. 2021, www.thetrevorproject.org/resources/article/understanding-asexuality/.
- ↑ “Asexuality, Attraction, and Romantic Orientation.” LGBTQ Center, lgbtq.unc.edu/resources/exploring-identities/asexuality-attraction-and-romantic-orientation/.
- ↑ “Asexual | Etymology, Origin and Meaning of Asexual by Etymonline.” Www.etymonline.com, www.etymonline.com/word/asexual. Accessed 8 Sept. 2023.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 “What Is Asexuality? | Definition, History and Asexuals in Pop Culture.” Feeld, 24 Apr. 2020, feeld.co/blog/feeld-guides/definition-asexual.
- ↑ Diversity, Sexual. “Asexual Pride Flag.” Sexual Diversity, 6 Nov. 2022, www.sexualdiversity.org/edu/flags/1064.php.
- ↑ Rawphish. “Black Rings and Other Ways to Show Asexual Pride.” Asexual Visibility and Education Network, 16 June 2005, www.asexuality.org/en/topic/76607-black-rings-and-other-ways-to-show-asexual-pride/. Accessed 8 Sept. 2023.
- ↑ Ginoza, Mary Kame. “The History of the AVEN Triangle.” Site Name, 28 Oct. 2020, aceweek.org/stories/aven-triangle-history. Accessed 8 Sept. 2023.
- ↑ ---. “Unicode Asexuality Character.” Sexual Diversity, 6 Nov. 2022, www.sexualdiversity.org/edu/symbols/emoji/1065.php. Accessed 9 Sept. 2023.
- ↑ thisisloyal.com, Loyal |. “1.7% of Sexual Minority Adults Identify as Asexual.” Williams Institute, 8 Aug. 2019, williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/press/sm-asexuals-press-release/.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 “Understanding the Asexual Community.” Human Rights Campaign, www.hrc.org/resources/understanding-the-asexual-community.
- ↑ “Sexual Violence against the Asexual Community.” Maryland Coalition against Sexual Assault | MCASA, 23 Mar. 2022, mcasa.org/newsletters/article/sexual-violence-against-the-asexual-community.
- ↑ “Why Aromantic and Asexual People Belong in LGBTQIA+ Community.” Temple Now | News.temple.edu, 6 July 2021, news.temple.edu/news/2021-07-06/why-aromantic-and-asexual-people-belong-lgbtqia-community.
- ↑ virtua. ““For Me” by Dearlie (New Song about Asexuality).” Asexual Visibility and Education Network, 3 June 2014, www.asexuality.org/en/topic/103657-for-me-by-dearlie-new-song-about-asexuality/. Accessed 8 Sept. 2023.
- ↑ Morse, Ben. “Writer Devin Grayson on Natasha Romanoff, Yelena Belova, and the History of “Black Widow.”” Marvel Entertainment, 27 May 2020, www.marvel.com/articles/comics/writer-devin-grayson-on-natasha-romanoff-yelena-belova-and-the-history-of-black-widow.
- ↑ Burlingame, Russ. “Chip Zdarsky Opens up about Jughead.” Comicbook.com, 25 Sept. 2015, comicbook.com/news/chip-zdarsky-opens-up-about-jughead/. Accessed 8 Sept. 2023.
- ↑ Turchiano, Danielle. ““Big Mouth” Season 6 Finally Introduces an Asexual Character. Here’s How Elijah Came to Be.” Www.metacritic.com, 28 Oct. 2022, www.metacritic.com/news/big-mouth-season-6-elijah-asexuality/.
- ↑ Anne, Valerie. ““The Imperfects” Gives Us a Practically Perfect Asexual Queer Character.” Autostraddle, 13 Sept. 2022, www.autostraddle.com/the-imperfects-gives-us-a-practically-perfect-asexual-queer-character/.
- ↑ Cuby, Michael. “Why I Find BoJack Horseman’s Depiction of Asexuality Deeply Relatable.” Them., 26 Sept. 2018, www.them.us/story/bojack-horseman-asexuality.
- ↑ “Pride Flag Guide: Aceflux | Library.LGBT.” Flag.library.lgbt, 2 Feb. 2022, flag.library.lgbt/flags/aceflux/. Accessed 8 Sept. 2023.
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 emostiims. “*Stimming Intensifies*.” Tumblr, 18 Feb. 2021, emostiims.tumblr.com/post/643480202473799680/acefog-where-one-knows-that-they-are-acespec. Accessed 8 Sept. 2023.
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 luigis-mogai-mansion. “New Ace/Ace/Aroace Terms.” Tumblr, 20 May 2020, luigis-mogai-mansion.tumblr.com/post/618617450841489408/new-aroacearoace-terms.
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 pride-color-schemes. “Acespike.” Tumblr, 26 June 2016, pride-color-schemes.tumblr.com/post/146491333508/acespike. Accessed 8 Sept. 2023.
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 Pride-Flags. “Acevague by Pride-Flags on DeviantArt.” Www.deviantart.com, 17 Dec. 2016, www.deviantart.com/pride-flags/art/Acevague-651435563. Accessed 8 Sept. 2023.
- ↑ 27.0 27.1 ---. “Acevoid by Pride-Flags on DeviantArt.” Www.deviantart.com, 22 Apr. 2021, www.deviantart.com/pride-flags/art/Acevoid-872880175. Accessed 8 Sept. 2023.
- ↑ PhoeniXXTalon. “Rat Ace Flag by PhoeniXXTalon on DeviantArt.” Www.deviantart.com, 16 Jan. 2022, www.deviantart.com/phoenixxtalon/art/Rat-ace-flag-903968689. Accessed 9 Sept. 2023.
- ↑ PhoeniXXTalon. “Urban Dictionary: Rat Ace.” Urban Dictionary, 2022, www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Rat%20Ace. Accessed 8 Sept. 2023.