ASEXUAL:
A PERSON WHO DOES NOT
EXPERIENCE SEXUAL ATTRACTION
Asexual people MAY:
‘want friendship and understanding
Just lke everybody else
* fallin love
‘experience arousal and orgasm
‘= be of any age, gender or background
Asexuality is NOT:
+ celibacy
+ ancrogyny
¢ Sexual repression or aversion
* sexual dystunction
+ Toss of ibid due to age or
circumstance
« fear of intimacy
«the inability to find a partner
He asexvat visa
EDUCATION NE}
WWW.ASEXUALITY.ORG
‘Snce 2001, the Acenual Vsbity and Education
Network (AVEN) has werked to buld an asexual
community and to crease puble understanding
fod acceptance of asenualty. The AVEN web ste
Contains information on asexualty as well as an
active online forum.
ASEXUALITY
NOT EVERYONE IS
N91 IN 2WHAT IS ASEXUALITY?
‘Simply put, asoualty i a sexual
‘xientation describing people who do. not
Sxperience seal atiracton. This pamphlet
‘esgned to provide some general information
‘bout the asewsal orientation. Whether you think
you might be asexual Or Know you are not, We
Tope’ this pamptiet wil give you 2 better
Understanding of what asexually means.
IS ASEXUALITY THE SAME
[AS ABSTINENCE OR CELIBACY?
‘Wo. Celibacy & a choice to abstain from
serual activity. Asonuaty 16 not a choice, but
{ather a senual onentation describing people who
o not experience sexual atvaction. While most
‘2sexuals do not form sexual relationships, some
souals participate in sexual behavior forthe
pleasure of others.
WHAT CAUSES ASEXUALITY?
‘As with all other sexual orientations, the
causes of asexalty are sill unknown, While
Several studies have been done in recent years,
they have mostly concerned the demographics of
the asexual population. We hope that, 95
Feseerch about human sexuality continues to
move forward, we will learn more about the
ature of asexvality.
CAN ASEXUAL
PEOPLE FALLIN LOVE?
Yes. Asouls can experience romantic
atiraction” without “sexual attraction. Asexual
people have the same range of ematienal needs
bs everyone ese, and vary widely in how they
fui or express these needs. Some azenals are
happiest on their own Or with a group of close
frends, wale others have a desire to date and
seek long-term partners.
WHAT DO ASEXUAL
RELATIONSHIPS LOOK LIKE?
‘Asexual relationships are based on
elements that are also important for many sexual
people, ike Understanding, commetment, trust,
femotoral intimacy, and communcation, Physical
Intimacy may elther be important of minimal 0
‘sexual relationships, Asexual people have few!
fexpectations about the way thei relationships
‘Should work and offen blur the Ines between
{rendship and romance
HOW DOES ASEXUALITY
RELATE TO OTHER IDENTITIES?
‘Many asexuals can be emotionally and/or
romantcaly attracted to other people and may
further ently as straight, oby, lesbian, orb.
‘There are also aromanti asenuas, who are not
romantically attracted to anyone. Asexual ca”
ts0 have any gender entity and may ideny
‘5s mak, female, transgender, androgynous, OF
‘anyother variation.
WHY DOES AWARENESS
ABOUT ASEXUALITY MATTER?
“Sexuality such an important aspect of
‘our cukure that people who dort relate to the
Reterosenual norm can feel inadequate or
Isolated. Because asexuals make UD such a smal
percentage of society, they may feel they are
‘lone. Tey, or the Friends or family members,
tnay belove they should be fed by a therepst
fF doctor. Awareness about asexualty_ helps
People who dont experience sexual attraction
Feat comfortable with themsehes and enables
them to be open and honest without fear of
‘lenation oF misunderstanding
STILL HAVE UNANSWERED QUESTIONS?
Fame vor wwew.asexuality.org fr more
Ietrmatin