The Transgender Dictionary

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Asexual

(also: ace)

Table of Contents

Introduction

While it is generally assumed that everyone will at some point experience sexual attraction to others at some point, this is not always the case. Those who do not experience sexual attraction are broadly referred to as asexual, though there are some distinctions to be made.

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General Information

Somoene who is asexual experiences little to no sexual attraction to other people. While some asexual people are also aromantic, this is not always the case. Some asexuals may experience other types of romantic attraction.

The attitude towards sex by asexual people will vary from person to person. Asexuals are often entirely repulsed/grossed out by sex. Some asexuals may be open to sexual activity under specific circumstances. Some asexuals are entirely neutral to the concept of sex. Some asexuals will have sex despite not experiencing sexual attraction.

Asexual Flag

The black stripe in the asexual flag represents asexuality.

The grey stripe in the asexual flag represents graysexuality.

The white stripe in the asexual flag represents demisexuality.

The purple stripe in the asexual flag represents the importance of community and solidarity among asexual people.

Demisexual

Demisexuality is on the asexual spectrum. People who are demisexual experience sexual attraction more often than people who are asexual, but less often than people who are allosexual.

Someone who is demisexual only experiences sexual attraction to someone after first experiencing strong emotional connection attraction (or at least getting to know them first in a positive way). The length of time it takes for someone who is demisexual to develop an emotional bond with another person that results in sexual feelings can vary from person to person. Please note that someone who is demisexual is not necessarily going to develop sexual feelings towards everyone that they develop an emotional connection with.

Some people who are demisexual may use other terms to describe their romantic orientation or sexual orientation; such as "gay" or "straight" or "bi" depending on the typical targets of their eventual attraction (if there is a recognizable pattern). However, not everyone wishes to (or is able to) be so specific about their own self-identification.

Demisexual Flag

The black triangle on demisexual flag represents the asexual community and the asexual spectrum.

The white stripe in the demisexual flag represents sexuality.

The purple stripe in the demisexual flag represents community.

The gray stripe in the demisexual flag represents gray asexuality and the gray-ace community.

Graysexual

Experiencing sexual attraction very rarely and/or with low intensity.

The following links have been provided for entertainment, education, or further reading to encourage seeking out additional information. None of these links are sponsored, nor endorsed. The inclusion of an article/video/etc is not complete approval for its contents. The thoughts/views/opinions/etc of everything included below do not inherently represent those of The Transgender Dictionary.

(Websites/Wiki Pages specifically dedicated to asexuality.)

(Miscellaneous links regarding asexuality.)

See also the pages for agender, aphallia, and aromantic.