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Asexuality and Aromanticism: A Tweetorial
*DISCLAIMER*
This is meant to serve as an introduction for healthcare workers and not a deep dive on the topic. Not every person on the asexual or aromantic spectrum will agree with the definitions I list.
*DISCLAIMER*
This is meant to serve as an introduction for healthcare workers and not a deep dive on the topic. Not every person on the asexual or aromantic spectrum will agree with the definitions I list.
*This tweetorial will primarily focused on Asexuality with a dollop of Aromanticism.*
Most researchers indicate the prevalence of asexuality to be around 1% of the population.
Most researchers indicate the prevalence of asexuality to be around 1% of the population.
What does Asexuality mean?
Trick question. It's none of the above.
"An asexual (ace) person is someone who does not experience sexual attraction. Unlike celibacy, which people choose, asexuality is an intrinsic part of who someone is." -modified from AVEN definition
"An asexual (ace) person is someone who does not experience sexual attraction. Unlike celibacy, which people choose, asexuality is an intrinsic part of who someone is." -modified from AVEN definition
An aromantic (aro) person is someone who does not experience romantic attraction.
A person can be ace or aro, or ace/aro.
A person can be ace or aro, or ace/aro.
This brings up the question of what is attraction?
Attraction means desire for a specific person(s).
There are many different types of attractions.
Examples of attraction: Sexual, Romantic, Sensual, Aesthetic, Platonic
(This tweetorial will only focus on the first two.)
Attraction means desire for a specific person(s).
There are many different types of attractions.
Examples of attraction: Sexual, Romantic, Sensual, Aesthetic, Platonic
(This tweetorial will only focus on the first two.)
Attraction may or may not be linked to behavior or desire.
An asexual person will not feel sexual attraction for a specific person, but may or may not have sex and/or masturbate.
*All slides created by me and my mad art skills, and previously published on a private site.*
An asexual person will not feel sexual attraction for a specific person, but may or may not have sex and/or masturbate.
*All slides created by me and my mad art skills, and previously published on a private site.*
Like many things, Asexuality and Aromanticism lie on a spectrum.
Common Asexual spectrum identities:
Demisexual: ONLY experiences sexual attraction after a strong emotional bond is established.
Grey Asexual (Grey-A): someone who identifies somewhere between asexual and sexual.
Common Asexual spectrum identities:
Demisexual: ONLY experiences sexual attraction after a strong emotional bond is established.
Grey Asexual (Grey-A): someone who identifies somewhere between asexual and sexual.
For many people their sexual and romantic orientations align, but for some they do not.
Additional combinations
What about Male Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder and Female Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder, as seen in the DSM 5?
Read the fine print:
“If a lifelong lack of sexual desire is better explained by one’s self-identification as ‘asexual,’ then a diagnosis of [Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder] would not be made (Brotto 2012).” -modified from the DSM 5
Asexuality is NOT a medical disorder.
“If a lifelong lack of sexual desire is better explained by one’s self-identification as ‘asexual,’ then a diagnosis of [Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder] would not be made (Brotto 2012).” -modified from the DSM 5
Asexuality is NOT a medical disorder.
Comparing and Contrasting Asexuality and Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder
In summary,
Asexuality:
- is a sexual orientation, not a choice
- means having no sexual attraction
- does not mean doesn't have sex/relationships
- is a spectrum
- is not a medical disorder
- is not caused by sexual assault or trauma
Asexuality:
- is a sexual orientation, not a choice
- means having no sexual attraction
- does not mean doesn't have sex/relationships
- is a spectrum
- is not a medical disorder
- is not caused by sexual assault or trauma
In summary,
Aromanticism:
- is a romantic orientation, not a choice
- means having no romantic attraction
- does not mean doesn't have sex/relationships
- is a spectrum
- is not a medical disorder
- is not caused by sexual assault or trauma
Aromanticism:
- is a romantic orientation, not a choice
- means having no romantic attraction
- does not mean doesn't have sex/relationships
- is a spectrum
- is not a medical disorder
- is not caused by sexual assault or trauma
Resources:
Asexuality Visibility and Education Network. AVEN. http://www.asexuality.org
The Invisible Orientation: An Introduction to Asexuality by Julie Sondra Decker.
http://www.whatisasexuality.com/intro/
http://www.asexualityarchive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/AsexualityABriefIntroduction.pdf
https://www.thetrevorproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/asexuality.pdf
http://wiki.asexuality.org/Aromantic_FAQ
Asexuality Visibility and Education Network. AVEN. http://www.asexuality.org
The Invisible Orientation: An Introduction to Asexuality by Julie Sondra Decker.
http://www.whatisasexuality.com/intro/
http://www.asexualityarchive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/AsexualityABriefIntroduction.pdf
https://www.thetrevorproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/asexuality.pdf
http://wiki.asexuality.org/Aromantic_FAQ
Thanks for tuning in. Feel free to share/disperse my slides as you see fit to help others.
Your Queer Med Friend,
Dr. L
*Pictured - Ace flag on left and Aro flag on right*
Your Queer Med Friend,
Dr. L
*Pictured - Ace flag on left and Aro flag on right*
