The Asexual Identity
- Details
- Category: Asexuality 101
- Published on Wednesday, 31 August 2011 12:14
- Written by Scott James
- Hits: 1349
While some see Asexuality as the simplest, most straight forward sexuality, others see it as a complicated matter. Aromantic Asexuality is a very defined group, but romantic Asexuality can encompass many more possibilities.
Aromantic Asexuality is a lack of sexual or romantic desire towards any individual of any gender. This doesn’t prevent a person having a perfectly healthy relationship, they just lack the desire to pursue one.
Romantic Asexuality encompasses all other romantic orientations, while still remaining Asexual. This includes heteroromantic, homoromantic, biromantic and many others. A romantic Asexual can have romantic desires towards someone of the specified gender. Romantic Asexuality is the most common identity of Asexuality and attraction follows in a very similar fashion to attraction for a sexual person, but without sexual attractiveness as a factor. This similarity causes some people to falsely believe that Asexuality isn’t real, or that it is simply a form of celibacy.
Demisexuality, or grey-A, while not strictly in keep with the definition of Asexuality, is often seen as a subset of Asexuality. Demisexuals identify as potentially having sexual attraction, but only developing it after a strong emotional connection is formed with an individual. This is often argued as not being true Asexuality, but most of the Asexual community accepts that demisexuals need the same support and provide for them the same as any other Asexual.
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I understand what you're trying to do (I think), but the wording could use some work. When I've 'straight asexual' used it is referring to heteroromantic asexuals. Also, some of the phrasing ('broader asexuality') sounds a little like 'pure asexual' elitism.
Why don't you just stick with "aromantic" and "romantic" asexuality? Then you still get to keep your two categories without using words that have a hell of a lot of baggage. Also, my "direct" asexuality doesn't mean I have a lack of desire in other people, "sexual or otherwise" ... it means I have a lack of sexual and romantic attraction to other people. That's it. No "otherwise" and no "desire".
I will be contacting the author to let him know of the controversy surrounding this piece. I think Morethanx is right, however. It's a matter of poor word choice.There are two ways of solving this problem. This piece, as it is worded, comes off more as opinion. I don't mind opinion pieces and don't want opinion pieces that everyone will agree with. The problem is that this is supposed to be a section that provides basic information to Asexuals.
The second is having him rewrite the piece so it is in line with how most Asexuals identify.
Another ace resource!
Thanks James.