ASEXUAL:
A PERSON WHO DOES NOT
EXPERIENCE SEXUAL ATTRACTION
Asexual people MAY:
• want friendship and understanding
just like everybody else
• fall in love
• experience arousal and orgasm
• be of any age, gender or background
Asexuality is NOT:
• celibacy
• androgyny
• sexual repression or aversion
• sexual dysfunction
• loss of libido due to age or
circumstance
• fear of intimacy
• the inability to find a partner
AVEN
THE ASEXUAL VISIBILITY AND
EDUCATION NETWORK
WWW.ASEXUALITY.ORG
Since 2001, the Asexual Visibility and Education
Network (AVFN) has worked to build an asexual
community and to increase public understanding
and acceptance of asexuality. The AVEN web site
contains information on asexuality as well as an
active online forum.
WHAT IS ASEXUALITY?
Simply put, asexuality is a sexual
orientation describing people wto do not
experience sexual attraction. This pamphlet is
designed to provide some general information
about the asexual orientation. Whether you think
you might be asexual or know you are not, we
hope this pamphlet will give you a better
understanding of what asexuality means.
IS ASEXUALITY THE SAME
AS ABSTINENCE OR CELIBACY?
HOW DOES ASEXUALITY
RELATE TO OTHER IDENTITIES?
No. Celibacy is a choice to abstain from
sexual activity. Asexuality is not a choice, but
rather a sexual orientation describing people who
do not experience sexual attraction. While most
asexuals do not form sexual relationships, some
asexuals participate in sexual behavior for the
pleasure of others.
WHAT CAUSES ASEXUALITY?
As with all other sexual orientations, the
causes of asexuality are still unknown. White
several studies have been done in recent years,
they have mostly concerned the demographics of
the asexual population. We hope that, as
research about human sexuality continues to
move forward, we will learn more about the
nature of asexuality.
CAN ASEXUAL
PEOPLE FALL IN LOVE?
Yes. Asexuals can experience romantic
attraction without sexual attraction. Asexual
people have the same range of emotional needs
as everyone else, and vary widely in how they
fulfill or express these needs. Some asexuals are
happiest on their own or with a group of close
friends, while others have a desire to date and
seek long-term partners.
WHAT DO ASEXUAL
RELATIONSHIPS LOOK LIKE?
Asexual relationships are based on
elements that are also important for many sexual
people, like understanding, commitment, trust,
emotional intimacy, and communication. Physical
intimacy may either be important or minimal in
asexual relationships. Asexual people have few
expectations about the way their relationships
should work and often blur the lines between
friendship and romance.
Many asexuals can be emotionally and/or
romantically attracted to other people and may
further identify as straight, gay, lesbian, or bi.
"Riere are also aromantic asexuals, who are not
romantically attracted to anyone. Asexuals can
also have any gender identity and may identify
as male, female, transgender, androgynous, or
any other variation.
WHY DOES AWARENESS
ABOUT ASEXUALITY MATTER?
Sexuality is such an important aspect of
our culture that people who don't relate to the
heterosexual norm can feel inadequate or
isolated. Because asexuals make up such a small
percentage of society, they may feel they are
alone. They, or their friends or family members,
may believe they should be 'fixed' by a therapist
or doctor. Awareness about asexuality helps
people who don't experience sexual attraction
feel comfortable with themselves and enables
them to be open and honest without fear of
alienation or misunderstanding.
STILL HAVE UNANSWERED QUESTIONS?
Please visit www.asexuallty.org for more
information.
