GRSJ224/Asexuality: Variety, Erasure, and Visibility

What is Asexuality?

The Asexuality Flag, representing the gradient from Asexuality (black), Grey-Asexuality and Demisexuality (grey), Non-asexual partners and allies (white), to the community at large (purple). Retrieved from Asexuality Archives.

While there has been considerable debate in the quest for an appropriate and inclusive definition of asexuality, one that has achieved popularity, and is recognized by the Asexuality Visibility and Education Network (AVEN), is "someone who does not experience sexual attraction". It is important to note that while this definition signifies a lack of sexual attraction, it does not necessitate a lack of sexual behaviour, as these factors demonstrate a "less-than-perfect correspondence", which could result in the exclusion of individuals who identify as asexual from the label.

Asexuality Variations

Due to the considerable amount of variability in the identities and experiences of those who label themselves as asexual, Mark Carrigan has defined asexuality as an umbrella term that acts as a "common point of identification rather than constituting a shared identity”. As a result, a central distinction is made within the community between romantic attraction and sexual attraction, which is regularly overlooked within mainstream culture. The following is a brief, and incomplete, list of a number of common identities that fall under the umbrella of asexuality, as they relate to either sex or romance.

Sex-Related Identities

A-Fluid

An individual who expresses or experiences their sexuality with a general fluidity.

Demisexual

An individual who expresses or experiences sexual attraction exclusively in the context of an emotional connection.

Grey-A

An individual who expresses or experiences their sexuality as being on the spectrum between sexual and asexual.

Romance-Related Identities

Aromantic

An individual who does not express or experience romantic attraction.

Biromantic

An individual who expresses or experiences romantic attraction towards both males and females.

Panromantic

An individual who expresses or experiences romantic attraction without a consideration of sex or gender.

Prevalence and Intersectional Influences

In a British study conducted by Anthony Bogaert, 1.05% of the population self-identified as asexual, a very similar rate to those who report same-sex attraction. In contrast to sexual people, asexual people were older, more frequently women, more likely to have a lower socioeconomic background, less likely to have completed formal education, more likely to report adverse health conditions, and reported greater religiosity. These intersections between asexuality and the influences of age, gender, class, socioeconomic status, health, and religion suggest that there are not only a multitude of biological and psychological factors that may contribute to asexuality, but that these influences also perpetuate the greater discrimination of these individuals by adding to the marginalization they already face.

Asexuality Erasure

While there is simply not enough room to delve into the myriad of ways in which asexuality has been subject to erasure, outlined below are two primary alternative explanations for asexuality that have garnered attention and inspired research.

Asexuality as a Psychiatric Disorder

A number of studies over the years have attempted to link asexuality with a wealth of psychiatric disorders, including depression, anxiety, schizoid personality disorder, and autism. While minimal and inconsistent evidence has been found to support these claims, it is likely that much of the distress and psychological symptoms experienced by asexual people can be attributable to the intense discrimination they encounter. For example, in a 2012 study conducted by MacInnis and Hodson, they shockingly found that asexual people were viewed more negatively, even so far as being deemed “the least “human” in terms of both uniquely human and human nature traits/qualities”, than heterosexual individuals or other sexual minorities. As a result, any elevated levels of psychological disturbance and distress cannot be considered independent from the significant dehumanization and marginalization directed towards asexual people.

Asexuality as a Sexual Dysfunction

Another proposed explanation is that asexuality is the result of a sexual dysfunction, characterized either by a lack of desire or a disorder in one’s physiological arousal response. In regards to desire, asexuality resembles Female Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder (FSIAD), though it lacks the fundamental element of “clinically significant personal distress” in response to their level of sexual desire that is required to achieve the FSIAD diagnosis. Additionally, the DSM-5 criteria for FSIAD, and Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) in men, explicitly states that asexual people should be excluded from the diagnosis. Furthermore, when it comes to the physiological arousal response, a 2011 study conducted by Brotto and Yule demonstrated that although asexual women failed to report an increase in sexual arousal following the administration of erotic material, their genital response was found to be similar to that of sexual people. Collectively, these results serve to emphasize that asexuality is not attributable to a sexual dysfunction and highlight the discrimination these medicalized perspectives impose on asexual people and their identity.

Asexuality Visibility and Education

One of the most well-recognized and respected organizations that serves to promote asexuality is the Asexual Visibility and Education Network (AVEN), which was established in 2001 with the aim of, “creating public acceptance and discussion of asexuality, and facilitating growth of an asexual community”. Since then, AVEN has become the largest asexual community, and makes ongoing and extensive contributions by developing web forums, organizing visibility projects, and providing accessibility to resources.

While AVEN produces incredible support and education for those who identify under the asexual umbrella, it also offers a wealth of information and guidance from which we can all benefit. Therefore, I will leave you with the organization's recommendation on how best to be a strong ally for an asexual loved one, "If they need to talk, lend an ear. Be supportive. Allow them to think it over on their own if they so desire. Above all, remember that sexuality is only one aspect of life. [They are] still the same person you always knew them to be".