I was going to post about (and still am), my glee at finding a reference to asexuality in 'Homophobia: A History' by Byrne Fone. While discussing the ancient Greeks and Romans, he describes Lucian of Samosata's play the 'Erotes', which describes four men. Theomnestus likes men and women, Charicles likes the ladies and is described by as possibly ( Read more... )

I find it much easier to define as 'queer' these days. The first time this got suggested to me was by Ruth, when I was very drunk, and I explained that I'd heard it in a negative context so many times, that I didn't like it ( Read more... )

I've heard people say that places like AVEN are places people go to hide from their sexuality; they go there to be 'indoctrinated' somehow into not being sexual people, beacuse they're cut off from all other options. As David Jay says - you don't go to AVEN and just stop talking.

Thread like this show just how unrealistic it is. It shows the true ( Read more... )

I'm now Asexual Coordinator for the Queer Youth Network.

That was unexpected! But rather exciting. I'm in charge of ase campaigning now. It's a pretty big organisation too!

I will now plan, think and panic in equal measure.

One of the most commonly asked qustions newbies to AVEN ask is, 'am I asexual??' And list all the things that they're unsure about.

I thought I could help these people out.


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I got a lovely comment on a post from a woman who'd spent more than 20 years of her life not knowing that the 'thing that was wrong' was that she was asexual. And thanks for the link to AVEN.

How can I not be vocal if I can reach just one more person?

I should avoid reading threads like this: http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=610060

They just depress me.

First off, almost everyone equates ase with no sex.

Secondly, someone not having/enjoying sex because of their orientation is seen as a ridiculously insurmountable thing, although someone not doing, or putting off those things ( Read more... )

While writing about how romantic leanings and asexuality can be summed up with good ol' slang, I recognised my other problem with the 'asexual' label.

It makes people presume they know all about my lack of sex life. This is pretty frustrating.

I am aware that a lot of people don't really know the intricacies and complexities of being ase, and this ( Read more... )

I've identified as asexual for nigh-on 4 years (ok, for 3 years, 8 months, 8 days...), and I still really hate the word. (If you're new to this, check this out!: www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/asexual)

It sounds very sterile. It's etymology is based upon absence, upon lack. It gets mixed up with asexual reproduction ('No, I cannot have my own babies ( Read more... )