Asexuality

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==Sexuality==
 
==Sexuality==
The other meaning of asexual refers to a particular sexual orientation that involves (at least relative) lack of sexual attraction to anyone, regardless of gender or sex. In this case the label for the person's sexuality is as "asexuality". Unlike celibacy, this not a conscious decision. As long as this lack of desire does not stem from some kind of psychological injury or abuse, it is of course as healthy as any other orientation. It is sometimes confused with the idea of "gender-neutrality" where an individual does not wish to express themselves as either male ''or'' female, as a political statement, to prevent gender stereotyping, or as an expression a [[Gender binary|non-binary]] or fluid gender identity. Asexuality is specifically a sexual orientation and thus deals with sexual attraction, rather than a gender issue. Additionally, asexuality has no bearing on one's sex drive. Also, just because asexuality means a lack of sexual attraction, it doesn't mean a lack of general love, nor does it mean the person is somehow "not ready" or hasn't "found the right person". Saying that to an asexual is a surefire way to offend the person.
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The other meaning of asexual refers to a particular sexual orientation that involves (at least relative) lack of sexual attraction to anyone, regardless of gender or sex. In this case, the label for the person's sexuality is "asexuality". Unlike celibacy, this not a conscious decision. As long as this lack of desire does not stem from some kind of psychological injury or abuse, it is of course as healthy as any other orientation. It is sometimes confused with the idea of "gender-neutrality" where an individual does not wish to express themselves as either male ''or'' female, as a political statement, to prevent gender stereotyping, or as an expression a [[Gender binary|non-binary]] or fluid gender identity. Asexuality is specifically a sexual orientation and thus deals with sexual attraction, rather than a gender issue. Additionally, asexuality has no bearing on one's sex drive. Also, just because asexuality means a lack of sexual attraction, it doesn't mean a lack of general love, nor does it mean the person is somehow "not ready" or hasn't "found the right person". Saying that to an asexual is a surefire way to offend the person.
  
 
If the Bible is to be taken literally, the asexual people, along with male homosexuals, straight women, and blind people,<ref>And possibly ''castrati'', to say nothing of prepubescent [[children]].  But we digress.</ref> are [[God]]'s chosen people, as they're the only ones capable of following [[Jesus]]' injunction "whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed [[adultery]] with her already in his heart." (Matthew 5:28)
 
If the Bible is to be taken literally, the asexual people, along with male homosexuals, straight women, and blind people,<ref>And possibly ''castrati'', to say nothing of prepubescent [[children]].  But we digress.</ref> are [[God]]'s chosen people, as they're the only ones capable of following [[Jesus]]' injunction "whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed [[adultery]] with her already in his heart." (Matthew 5:28)
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Others may envy the orientation, assuming it means the person is more intellectual, or has more time to do things.
 
Others may envy the orientation, assuming it means the person is more intellectual, or has more time to do things.
  
Some asexuals have reported being targeted [[corrective rape]] due to their asexuality.  
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Some asexuals have reported being targeted [[corrective rape]] due to their asexuality.
  
 
==Related links==
 
==Related links==

Revision as of 03:01, 1 October 2014

Part of the series on

Sexuality

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Asexual, in the broad and literal sense means "without sexuality". More specifically it has two meanings:

Contents

Reproduction

One meaning of asexual is regarding reproduction without the exchange of gametes between two different individuals. This is a strategy used by single-celled organisms, a large number of higher plants, and even some vertebrates. This is known as "asexual reproduction" and can be an interesting topic in its own right.[1]

Sexuality

The other meaning of asexual refers to a particular sexual orientation that involves (at least relative) lack of sexual attraction to anyone, regardless of gender or sex. In this case, the label for the person's sexuality is "asexuality". Unlike celibacy, this not a conscious decision. As long as this lack of desire does not stem from some kind of psychological injury or abuse, it is of course as healthy as any other orientation. It is sometimes confused with the idea of "gender-neutrality" where an individual does not wish to express themselves as either male or female, as a political statement, to prevent gender stereotyping, or as an expression a non-binary or fluid gender identity. Asexuality is specifically a sexual orientation and thus deals with sexual attraction, rather than a gender issue. Additionally, asexuality has no bearing on one's sex drive. Also, just because asexuality means a lack of sexual attraction, it doesn't mean a lack of general love, nor does it mean the person is somehow "not ready" or hasn't "found the right person". Saying that to an asexual is a surefire way to offend the person.

If the Bible is to be taken literally, the asexual people, along with male homosexuals, straight women, and blind people,[2] are God's chosen people, as they're the only ones capable of following Jesus' injunction "whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart." (Matthew 5:28)

An on-line forum for the asexually-oriented is the Asexuality Visibility and Education Network (AVEN). The forum and several of its members are the subject of the 2011 documentary (A)sexual.

A person who is not on the asexual spectrum is called an "allosexual".

Subtypes

  • Autosexual: A person who masturbates, but has little to no interest in sex with other people.
  • Demisexual: A person who experiences little to no interest in sex until they feel an emotional connection. (This is not same as feeling uncomfortable with the idea of having sex with someone you don't love, rather this is simply not feeling sexual attraction until after you feel emotionally connected.)
  • Gray-Ace: This is someone who is not completely asexual, in that they might feel some level of sexual interest or even engage in sex under very limited circumstances, but not enough to be considered allosexual.

Acephobia

Acephobia is fear or denial of asexuals. Even other minority groups, such as gays, ridicule or deny asexuals. Common arguments and insults include:

  • Get your hormones checked!
  • Most of those people are teenagers! Their brains are developing!
  • Most of those people are old! They are already past their prime!
  • Playing hard to get?
  • (S)he's just burnt out over the past relationships.
  • You will get lonely and depressed!
  • Asexual? But you masturbate! Isn't that inherently sexual?
  • If you want to live a lonely life with a room full of cats, no one will be stopping you.
  • Okay, I can understand asexuality for women, but not for men. Guys can't possibly be asexual.
  • What's your purpose in life?
  • You'll find the right person one day!

Others may envy the orientation, assuming it means the person is more intellectual, or has more time to do things.

Some asexuals have reported being targeted corrective rape due to their asexuality.

Related links

Footnotes

  1. See the Wikipedia article on asexual reproduction.
  2. And possibly castrati, to say nothing of prepubescent children. But we digress.
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