Understanding Asexuality

Asexualtiy: The Debate Over the 'A'

For those who don't know, the LGBT+ community (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trangender, Queer) is sometimes referred to as the LGBTQIA+ community. Sounds like a mouthful huh? Well it's not really when you discover what the abbreviation stands for.

L- Lesbian (a woman who loves other women)

G- Gay (a man who loves other men)

B- Bisexual (a man or woman who loves both genders)

T- Transgender (a person who does not identify with their biological/given sex)

Q- Queer (this has also been debated over but I won't get into that here)

I- Intersex (a person who was born with genitalia that is not assigned to their sex—ex: a women with a penis. Only about 1% are intersex)

A- Asexual/Ally

You see that last one has a slash? That's where our debate begins...

You know the term for ace, but for those are ill informed or are thinking—what's an ally? I'll tell you!

Ally: A person who supports the LGBTQ+ community. Simple as that.

So our debate! You see, sadly, asexuals have not been... accepted by the community. Several other sexualites aren't really accepted either, but we're not here to discuss those today!

I am not sure why were are not accepted but it is what is :/

Well what's the big deal? You might think.

You see my friend—it is a very big deal.

Not including Asexuals in the abbreviation is... erasing them. It is as though they don't exist. Other sexualites experience this too: Demisexuals, aromantics, pansexuals—I could go on!

It's just a shame, isn't it? A community for all opposed to one group? :/

Now please note: not all people are like this.

There are some members of the community who are very accepting and open to all sexualities—please don't go around yelling at people before you get this information XD

Thank you for reading, I tried my best to capture the experience from a (semi) outsider's perspective :)

-Bat