Saturday, February 2, 2013

Identifying As Asexual

So I've decided the time has come that I finally (wo)man-up and tell you all something that I haven't shared with really anyone yet. Not even my family. After spending about a year of researching and wondering, I finally admitted something to myself. I'm asexual.

To be put simply, being asexual means you don't experience sexual attraction. Unlike celibacy, it is not a choice; it's a type of sexual orientation, same as being bisexual or pansexual for example.There are many degrees of being asexual. Some, like me, have no desire in ANY intimacy. I enjoy people' s friendship and conversation, but I'd much rather share hugs and my sleeping space with my dog :) Then there are some that are just fine with holding hands, cuddling, hugging, kissing, or a variation, with another person except they have no desire in sex. There are also Asexuals that are more toward what is called the "gray scale". These people still identify as being an Ace (fun term for Asexuals :D) but they might not mind being fully intimate with another person if they have been with them for a certain length of time or with just a certain person.

So you see there is no one solid version of being an ace. Some are like me and at one end of the scale while others are at the opposite end of the asexual scale. I hope that makes sense... Contrary to some people's opinions Aces are very much capable with having relationships just like anyone else, with both other Aces and with sexuals. Being asexual in no way means you hate people that are sexuals.

Only in recent years has asexuality been accepted as a branch of the LGBT community. So if you haven't heard this term much or at all, don't feel bad. Only about 1% of the world's population is asexual.

If you would like to learn more, as I know some of this is confusing at first, there's a great online network to find answers to all your questions,  doesn't matter if you think you are an Ace or not!

The Asexual Visibility Education Network, or AVEN, has really helped me with my questions and has helped me accept myself, as I hope all of you will.

xoxo <3

http://www.asexuality.org/home/



7 comments:

  1. well nice and big step im very proud of you i know you told me before but good job i must say it takes alot to come out about stuff like that

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  2. Hm, well I already knew this, but I'm spoon proud of you for coming out in the open with it! And if anyone tries to judge you or tell you you're wrong, they don't deserve the privilege of being in your life! Just think, a year ago you would have never imagined you would have a blog, let alone come out as asexual on it! You've come a long way, and I'm honored to be one of your best friends, and to have been on this journey with you in the past, present, and future! Love you bestow!

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    1. thank you bestie!!! love you too! i'd also never imagine I would have so many views on my blog either! i was hoping to reach maybe 100 people in 1 year!

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  4. Congrats!! As a proud Lesbian, I know how hard it is to confront your sexuality and then have to come to terms with being "different". I too have started a website and group for support for the LGBTI community and anyone else that wants to slot in there :) ... I believe in order to achieve our dream of equality, we need to embrace our differences and "normalise" them and then it wont seem so scary.... So again, congrats and stand tall!!!

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    1. thank you HMQ for your support! it truly means a lot to me!

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