GRSJ224/asexuality

Asexuality: Variety, Erasure, and Visibility

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.

What is Asexuality?

As with any sexuality label, no single definition has the ability to fully encompass the experience of all those who identify. However, one definition of asexuality 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 are highly correlated but demonstrate a "less-than-perfect correspondence", which could have the potential consequence of excluding those who identify as asexual from the label.

Who Identifies as Asexual?

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. Unsurprisingly, those who identified as asexual reported fewer sexual partners, less sexual experience, and a delayed onset of sexual behaviour . Furthermore, 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 a delayed onset of menarche, and reported greater religiosity. As a result, this data suggests that there appear to be a multitude of influences, both biological and psychosocial, that may play a role in the development of asexuality and contribute to the marginalization of these people.

Asexuality Variations

While the overarching definition entails a lack of sexual attraction, there is a considerable amount of variability in the identities and experiences of those who label themselves as asexual. As described by Mark Carrigan, “the umbrella term 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 identifies 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.

Asexuality Erasure

File:Asexuality Bingo.jpg

A satirical bingo board of unfounded and discriminatory arguments used to invalidate asexuality. Retrieved from Asexual.TXT.

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 face. 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 heterosexuals 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 does resemble Female Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder (FSIAD) outlined within the DSM-5. Although, asexuality lacks a fundamental element required to achieve the FSIAD diagnosis in that asexual people do not experience “clinically significant personal distress” in response to their level of sexual desire. 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. Though, it is important to note that this study was conducted exclusively on those who are biologically female, and therefore may not be generalizable to the biologically male asexual population.

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

File:Aven-logo.png

The Asexual Visibility and Education Network logo.

A number of initiatives have been developed in attempts to promote not only the acceptance of asexuality as a sexual orientation, but also to educate the general public on the basis of asexuality and the issues that continue to plague the community today. One of the most well-recognized and respected organizations 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 through the development of web forums, organization of visibility projects, and accessibility to resources for asexual people, those questioning, and their friends and family.

While AVEN provides 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. As a result, I will leave you with the organization's recommendation on how best to be a strong ally for an asexual loved one, "Be there for them. 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".