For the last post, I’m going to look at asexual representation, in society and in the media.

This whole blog has been rather difficult to write, due to lack of resources about asexuality. I have been rather limited on sources that are factual and have reliable information. While there are plenty of sources out there about homosexuality, bisexuality, and heterosexuality, there is very little about asexuality.

First off, there is a lack of asexual representation in scientific studies.  Looking on websites such as PubMed for studies, there is a limited selection that discusses asexuality throughout the lifespan. There are also difficulties when it comes to creating and testing studies regarding asexuals and asexuality.  One article wrote that “Difficulties arise when asexual participants are inconsistent in their self-identification as asexual” (Chasin, 2011).  It continues on to say that “Arguments are considered in favor of exploring diversity within the asexual population, particularly with respect to gender and romantic orientation…” (Chasin, 2011).

Current asexual studies are also not as diverse when it comes to participants.  In terms of self-identifying asexuals, more of them are female than male.  Only one study has been done on asexuality and arousal, and the participants were female.  What was concluded from the study was that “…asexual women are just as capable of physiological arousal as non-asexual women, and that asexual women were healthily aware of what was going on in their bodies” (Asexual Awareness Week).  If asexuality was researched more, and utilized a more diverse subject pool in terms of gender and sexual/romantic orientation, then we could learn a lot more about asexuality as a whole from a scientific perspective.

Another issue when it comes to asexual representation is in the media.  There are lots of characters in fiction that are suspected to be asexual, but there are not many that are actually stated as asexual.  Examples of characters that are asexual/suspected to be asexual include Sherlock Holmes (Sherlock Holmes Mysteries/BBC Sherlock), Bilbo Baggins (The Hobbit), Dexter (Dexter), Ariadne (Inception), Sheldon Cooper (The Big Bang Theory), and the Doctor (Doctor Who) (AVEN Wiki).  Many of them show asexual tendencies, such as not being interested in romantic and/or sexual gestures. Some of the list on the AVEN Wiki have actually come out as asexual or the creator has labeled them as asexual.  However, there are problems in terms of representation.  Some people feel that asexual characters are “boring” or “not fun”, which is not entirely true about asexuals.  There are also the stereotypes of asexuals that people who are not informed about asexuality feel, such as asexuals being “inhuman” or “robotic”.  Also, since sex and relationships are such huge parts of the media today, a person who does not want sex or a relationship may be seen as completely different from “normal” people. Media, especially TV shows, books, and movies, should focus on adding in characters from the asexual spectrum, so as to show that it is okay to not be sexually attracted to other people.

Overall, while asexuality is a topic that not many people know about or discuss, it is important to learn about it. Society should learn and accept that in this world where sex and relationships are the norm, that there are those who do not think the same. Asexuals are still people, and asexuality is a real and valid orientation.  Hopefully, we can raise awareness about asexuality so that asexuals do not feel alone or broken in this world.

References

Chasin (2011) article: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10508-011-9757-x/fulltext.html

Asexual Awareness Week: http://asexualawarenessweek.com/asexuality-101/

AVEN Wiki: http://www.asexuality.org/wiki/index.php?title=Asexuality_in_fiction

For my first post, I went over some basic terminology and aspects about asexuality. If you want a quick reminder, here you go. Asexuality Review with Tiny Dinosaur

For this post, I’m going to focus on asexual awareness and the need for visibility.

Back in 2004, there was an article written by Dr. Anthony Bogaert about a study done back in the U.K. in 1994. From a sample of around 18,000 people, one percent (1%) of respondents said in interviews that “I have never felt sexually attracted to anyone at all” (CNN).  While the results may not be accurate 20 years after the original study and there are problems with the article, it is still believed that only about 1% of the world’s population identifies as asexual. The actual number today is not known. In fact, there is little current research about asexuality and asexuals in general.

One reason that asexual awareness is important is due to the misconceptions that come with identifying as asexual.  Some who hear the word “asexual” may immediately think about “asexual reproduction”.  However, “the word asexual (a-sexual) literally means ‘not sexual’.  It can be used to describe reproduction without the fusion of gametes, but that isn’t the only valid use of the word” (Asexual Awareness).  There are also the beliefs that asexuals don’t like sex or romance or that they don’t get sexually aroused. Many would think that asexuals are cold and unfeeling, which is not the case.

Asexual awareness is also important because it is a real thing that exists. In a society where sex and relationships are viewed as something that everybody needs and wants, those who do not feel the same way feel alone.  They may feel that they are broken, due to the expectation that they are supposed to feel sexual attraction for people, but they are unable to.  There are also mixed reactions when people “come out” as asexual, some positive and some negative.  Personally, I am an active member on AVEN (Asexual Visibility and Education Network), and many of the people that talk about coming out to people have a wide variation of reactions to their coming out as asexual. Many of the negative reactions go along the lines of “You just haven’t met the right person yet” or “How can you know you’re asexual without having sex first?” It is important to raise awareness of asexuality so that people are more understanding that it is a real thing that occurs and that it is okay to not be sexually attracted to people.

So how should we raise awareness about asexuality and the asexual community? 

One way is to discuss it in terms of the LGBT community.  Recently, the community acronym has become LGBTA or LGBTQIA or even more complex versions of it. But it is never really decided on what the A stands for. Many believe that A stands for Ally, while others think it stands for Asexual.  The inclusion of asexuals in the LGBT community would give it more awareness. Also, “many asexuals suffer from isolation, lack of understanding, homophobic abuse and from the widespread heteronormative presumptions- much like other members of LGBT” (Asexual Awareness), making the LGBT natural allies for asexuals and asexual awareness.

There are also ways to raise awareness through education.  AVEN is one of the largest online communities that raises education and awareness about asexuality.  It started in 2001 with “two distinct goals: creating public acceptance and discussion of asexuality and facilitating the growth of an asexual community” (AVEN).  They engage in multiple visibility projects, such as the annual WorldPride convention. There is also the annual Asexual Awareness Week, which is usually scheduled in the month of October. Its mission is one “that seeks to educate about asexual, aromantic, demisexual and grey-asexual experiences and to create materials that are accessible to our community and our allies around the world” (Asexual Awareness Week).  Creating awareness about asexuality and the asexual community would heavily benefit those who fall into the asexual spectrum as well as those who know them.

Works Cited

CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/science/10/14/asexual.study/

Asexual Awareness Week:

Click to access ASEXUALITY-and-LGBT-AAW-2011-version.pdf

http://asexualawarenessweek.com/mission-and-values/

AVEN: http://www.asexuality.org/home/about.html