Myths about Asexuality
Greetings everyone!!
Today @empatheticLavender2924 and I would like to debunk some myths about asexuality!😊
What is asexuality?
- Asexuality means experiencing little or no sexual attraction. It is broad spectrum further categorized into different sub-identities.
What is a myth?
- It is a widely held but false belief or assumption.
Myth#1 Asexuality is the same as Celibacy
- These two are totally different things. Celibacy is a choice to abstain from sexual activities due personal or religious beliefs whereas being in the asexual spectrum is not a choice!
Myth#2 Asexuality is always the result of past trauma
- It is a very common and false belief that Asexuality is a "result" of past trauma or mental disorders. It is not appropriate to assume and/or determine someone's sexuality exclusively based on their past.
Myth#3 Asexuality is a phase and it will be over once they find the right person
- This myth is not only offensive but also ignores and invalidate the people in the asexual spectrum who have already found the right person and/or had been in a romantic relationship or any other kind of relationship with a person(s). It's the same as telling a gay man that he hadn't found the right woman yet.
Myth#4 A in the Lgbtqia+ stands for ally not Asexuality
- Allies are a significant part of the whole queer community but the 'A' in the Lgbtqia+ stands for Asexuality.
Myth#5 There's only one type of Asexuality
- Asexuality (ace) is a spectrum, and people are all over this spectrum of ace, not just on one side. Click here to find more about asexual identities
Myth#6 People in the asexual spectrum never have sex.
- The definition of asexuality is “having little or no sexual attraction”. Some people in the ace spectrum are alright about the idea of having sex while others in the spectrum would really rather not. It totally depends on the person and we should respect that rather than invalidate their sexuality.
Myth#7 Asexuality is not real
- Asexuality is 100 percent valid and real just like any other sexuality!!
Thank you for your help @empatheticLavender2924 <3 And thank you awesome reader! Hope you have a wonderful day/night!!<3 Please don't hesitate to share any other myths or misconceptions we left out!(:
@Hope2103 @empatheticLavender2924
thank you for the post! The best website, in my opinion, to explore the aro-ace spectrum is AVEN (Asexual Visibility and Education Network)!
@theriverissinging I will surely check that website out!!<3
@theriverissinging
Thank you river for mentioning Aven- yes that is an amazing resource and a great community for asexuals and allies!!
@Hope2103
@Hope2103
Thank you so much for working on this and collaborating- and sure I will add on this list soon by posting here
That one got posted like that lol...please ignore it
Thank you so much, Lav!💙
@Hope2103 Thanks for this awesome, informative post! Asexuality is definitely one of the more lesser known sexual sub-identities, so I'm glad you made this post to clear up some misconceptions about it. :)
Thank you for reading the post!💙
Hello everyone!
So, @Hope2103 recently made an awesome list here about asexuality and related myths. I am here to add on a bit, and some of them are from personal experience (since I am out on 7cups and out to some in real life, and I am an asexual on the ace spectrum).
Myth#8 People call themselves asexual to look good and maintain a certain image in the society.
Asexuality is a real and valid sexual orientation. It may be a choice to use a label, but your orientation that is who you are or aren’t attracted to is never a choice or a decision to make.
Myth#9 Asexuals are lacking in their hormone levels/libido and therefore can’t feel attractions. It is a disorder that needs to be treated.
Unfortunately for a long time, lack of attraction was seen as a disorder. Asexuality was removed from the DSM list of Mental Disorders in 2013. Now, asexuality is widely seen as a valid and real sexual orientation. And reminder- sexual orientations are not grounded in any biological factors. We have not yet discovered a cause for asexuality (or any other sexual orientation), and it is not a problem that needs to be treated. And it has nothing to do with libido.
Myth#10 Asexuals cannot feel love.
For many people, there is a difference between love and attraction. Love means different things to different people. Many asexuals still feel love- romantic love, platonic love or love towards family and friends. Also, many people on the ace spectrum do experience sexual attraction time-to-time.
Myth#11 Asexuality is a lifetime label.
Many people think their orientation is permanent and often it is permanent. Many people use the label asexual and do not change it. But sexual orientations can change with time. Sometimes aces are invalidated saying that they might feel attraction at a later point of time. But labels are free will, and can change, since sexual orientation can be fluid. So, it is unethical to invalidate someone’s orientation simply because it is not permanent.
Myth#12 Asexuals are kids who don’t know what sexual attraction is, yet.
Many people on the ace spectrum have experienced attraction at some point of time. Also, people talk about sexual attraction so aces have a fair idea of what it is. If we can’t experience it, it doesn’t mean aces are clueless. Also, I think I missed mentioning aromantic people and people on the aro spectrum (those who experience little/no romantic attraction). Turns out being aromantic and asexual are independent so you could be aro, ace, both, neither or anywhere on the spectrum.
Here’s one video I wanted to share with y’all- an Indian actress and poet talking about her experiences as an asexual alloromantic. (It is in English and with English subtitles)- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDGTr9s0tsg
I hope you enjoyed reading this- please feel free to let us know (me and @Hope2103) what you think about it and add on with some misconceptions you might have faced as a person on the aroace spectrum or as ally.
Bye bye everyone!! *lots of cookies for you*
Lavender
Lavender, you did an awesome job and research! The post is really helpful and informative! Thank you so much!😀💙
@Hope2103 @empatheticLavendar2924
Thank you so much for this post!!! Ace Awareness is awesome!! ❤️❤️❤️
@HealingBrokenWIngs It is indeed awesome!💙
@HealingBrokenWIngs
Aww thank you so much for reading and responding!! I'm glad you like it!
@Hope2103
as a demisexual (someone who rarely feels sexual attraction/needs a strong emotional bond to feel it) and is under the ace umbrella, i appreciate the post because being ace doesnt always mean NO SEX WHATSOEVER
ty <3
@justanotherpersonbehindascreen
We're glad to hear that! Thank you for taking the time to read this!
Thank you so much for reading!!💙
