AsexualityManifestación WorldPride 2017, MadridDefinitionLack of to others; low or absent or interest in AbbreviationsSubcategories FlagFlag nameMeaningBlack for asexuality; gray for gray-asexuality; white for allosexuality; purple for communityPart of on topics Related topicsIn society
Asexuality is the lack of to others, or low or absent interest in or for . It may be considered a or the lack thereof. It may also be categorized , to include a broad spectrum of .
Asexuality is distinct from and from , which are behavioral and generally motivated by factors such as an individual's personal, social, or religious beliefs. Sexual orientation, unlike sexual behavior, is believed to be "enduring". Some asexual people engage in sexual activity despite lacking sexual attraction or a , for a number of reasons, such as a desire to physically pleasure themselves or romantic partners, or a desire to have children.
Acceptance of asexuality as a sexual orientation and field of is still relatively new, as a growing body of research from both sociological and psychological perspectives has begun to develop. While some researchers assert that asexuality is a sexual orientation, other researchers disagree. Asexual individuals may represent about one percent of the population.
Various asexual communities have started to form since and social media in the mid-1990s. The most prolific and well-known of these communities is the , which was founded in 2001 by .
Definition, identity and relationships
Because there is significant variation among those who identify as asexual, the term asexuality can encompass broad definitions. Researchers generally define asexuality as the lack of or the lack of interest in , though specific definitions vary—the term may be used to refer to individuals with low or absent sexual behavior or exclusively non-sexual partnerships in addition to low or absent or attraction.
The (AVEN), an dedicated to asexuality, defines an asexual as "someone who does not experience sexual attraction", as well as adding that asexuality "at its core" is "just a word that people use to help figure themselves out", and encourages people to use the term asexual to define themselves "as long as it makes sense to do so". Asexuality is often abbreviated as , a phonetic shortening of asexual, and the community as a whole is likewise referred to as the ace community.
RelationshipsSee also:
Despite lacking sexual attraction, some asexuals might engage in purely romantic relationships, while others may not. Some who identify as asexual report that they experience sexual attraction, though lack the inclination to act on it, citing no desire to engage in sexual activity—some asexuals also lack the desire to engage in non-sexual physical activity such as or , while others choose to do so. Asexual people may seek relationships without romantic or sexual activity, known as "".
Certain asexuals may participate in sexual activity out of an . Some may also as a form of solitary release, while others may not feel a need to do so. The desire for masturbation or other sexual activity is often referred to as by asexuals, who disassociate it from sexual attraction and being asexual; asexuals who masturbate generally consider it to be a normal product of the human body rather than a sign of latent sexuality, and others do not find it pleasurable. Some asexual men are unable get an and are unable to attempt . Asexuals also differ in their views on performings sexual acts—some are indifferent and may engage in sexual activity for the benefit of a romantic partner, while others are more strongly averse to the idea, though they are not typically .
Many who identify as asexual also choose to adopt other identities, which often include and classification of . These are often integrated with a person's asexual identity, and asexuals may still identify as , , , or regarding romantic or emotional aspects of or in addition to identifying as asexual. The romantic aspects of sexual orientations may also be indicated by a variety of romantic identities, including , , , or , and those who do not experience romantic attraction may identify as . This split between romantic and sexual orientation is commonly explained as the , which states that romantic and sexual attraction are not strictly linked for all people. Individuals who are both aromantic and asexual are sometimes known as "" or "aroace".
