It's Asexual Awareness Week!
Somewhat ironically, I wasn't aware of this until today. I'm assuming I just missed the memo and the large, bat-signalesque spotlight asexuals use to communicate with each other.
Anyways, on to the awareness. An asexual person is someone who does not experience sexual attraction. Asexual is a sexual orientation like homosexual, heterosexual, bisexual, pansexual, etc. Asexuality is NOT the same thing as celibacy (celibacy is a choice, asexuality is an orientation). Do not mistake a lack of interest in having sex for erotophobia or repression. There are lots of sex-positive asexuals.
Consider yourself a little bit more aware! As with anything, there's a lot more to it than that. The Asexual Visibility and Education Network and the Asexuality wikipedia page are good places to start.
Brief awareness shout out for the term "aromantic" which, while lacking a concrete singular definition (some define it as lack of desire for a romantic relationship, others as lack of romantic attraction) it still opens up discussion around romance, romantic attraction and actively works to untangle them from sexual desire. (There are aromantic asexuals and romantic asexuals).
And finally, some really simple advice for anyone who has someone come out to them as any of the countless non-normative sexual identities and/or gender identities:
When someone tells you who they are, believe them.
No comments:
Post a Comment