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Asexual stereotypes to avoid or at the very least use with caution and forethought, because I'm annoyed this morning. A thread.
1. Non-humans.
I am *personally* fine with ace supernaturals, but it's important that their sexuality is not tied to the fact that they are not human.
I am *personally* fine with ace supernaturals, but it's important that their sexuality is not tied to the fact that they are not human.
2. Cold/Aloof
Aspec folks often get labeled and treated this way as if lack of sexual attraction makes us unlikeable. Best to avoid altogether unless cold, aloof person is actually very likeable.
Aspec folks often get labeled and treated this way as if lack of sexual attraction makes us unlikeable. Best to avoid altogether unless cold, aloof person is actually very likeable.
3. Virginal
Not all ace people are virgins, and not all virgins are asexual. It's fine to write asexual virgins, but just try to avoid that mentality.
Not all ace people are virgins, and not all virgins are asexual. It's fine to write asexual virgins, but just try to avoid that mentality.
4. Prudish
Modesty and the things people choose to discuss or joke about are in no way related to asexuality. Ace people aren't necessarily prudish.
Modesty and the things people choose to discuss or joke about are in no way related to asexuality. Ace people aren't necessarily prudish.
4. Infantilization.
Aspec adults are ADULTS. Do not do this.
Aspec adults are ADULTS. Do not do this.
5. Neurodivergent/Disabled
ND/Disabled people can be aspec; however, they are not inherently aspec due to being ND/Disabled. Portraying them as such is both ableist and aphobic.
ND/Disabled people can be aspec; however, they are not inherently aspec due to being ND/Disabled. Portraying them as such is both ableist and aphobic.
6. Traumatized
While some aspec folks have trauma, others do not. Asexuality is not a side-effect of trauma. Not everyone with aversion/repulsion is ace, and not everyone who is ace experiencds aversion/repulsion. Just be careful.
While some aspec folks have trauma, others do not. Asexuality is not a side-effect of trauma. Not everyone with aversion/repulsion is ace, and not everyone who is ace experiencds aversion/repulsion. Just be careful.
7. Conventional unattractiveness.
Asexual people can be conventionally attractive. They don't have to be, but they can be. It's okay. Other people's attraction to a person does not make them less aspec.
Asexual people can be conventionally attractive. They don't have to be, but they can be. It's okay. Other people's attraction to a person does not make them less aspec.
8. Asexuality as curse/disease
Aspec characters' sexuality should not be the result of a curse or disease that can be lifted or cured. It's a sexual orientation, not a flaw or problem.
Aspec characters' sexuality should not be the result of a curse or disease that can be lifted or cured. It's a sexual orientation, not a flaw or problem.
9. Socially backward
It's fine to write aspec characters who are introverted, shy, and/or otherwise socially awkward. But just keep in mind that they don't have to be. Some ace people are social butterflies.
It's fine to write aspec characters who are introverted, shy, and/or otherwise socially awkward. But just keep in mind that they don't have to be. Some ace people are social butterflies.
10. Romantically inexperienced.
Kinda jumps off the last one but not all asexual people are inexperienced. They might even be the flirtiest, most experienced, love guru of a friend group.
Kinda jumps off the last one but not all asexual people are inexperienced. They might even be the flirtiest, most experienced, love guru of a friend group.
That's all I've got for now, but other aspec folks are free to add on! As you can see a lot of these aren't really hard lines, just things to consider while writing.
