Happy Asexuality Awareness Week 2016 (October 23-29)

[IrezumiKiss]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cvc4jbSWEAEso3o.jpg

Not being asexual, I had no idea this week existed to celebrate, but for those of you who are or self-identify as asexual, this is your week (or the remaining five days of it, technically speaking) to shine!


Debunking 5 Common Myths About Asexuality

October 19, 2014 by Adri Tibbs

Originally published on Adri of the Dead and cross-posted here with their permission.


There seems to be quite a lot of confusion about asexuality.

Common beliefs include that it’s the same thing as celibacy, that all asexual people have been abused, and that asexuals don’t experience oppression — none of which are true.

So let’s clear the air about the “A” in LGBTQIA+. Check out this comic to learn the truth about some common myths about asexuality.

With Love,
The Editors at Everyday Feminism

https://img42.com/KBl1H+
https://img42.com/7oRm1+
https://img42.com/bZsHi+
https://img42.com/h3lEU+
https://img42.com/kVNXQ+
https://img42.com/2dvMs+


http://everydayfeminism.com/2014/10/5-myths-and-misconceptions-about-asexuality/

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v673/Neth/aflag2.png

The colors have specific meanings. As in the AVEN triangle, black is for asexuals, gray is for gray-As, and white is for sexuals. Purple stands for community. The stripe pattern is reminiscent of the Rainbow Flag, as well as flags of various subgroups, like bisexuals and transgendered folks.

 

[BotanyBoy]

I don't want a week I just want to not be the latest victim demographic trotted out by some political fuckhead to be this weeks biggest victim.

Buuuut it's probably not going to happen so....

 

[Stewart_Pidd]

cheers Saint Peter bro.

Stew

 

[LadyFunkenstein]

TL/DR..

So not wanting to fuck at all gets a parade now too? The little cartoon dude is even marching around with a silly sign..ha...

If I were L or G or B or T I sure as hell wouldn't want the A to be force fed into my group. Do gay men actually identify with Asexuals? Come on, of course they don't...

 

[IrezumiKiss]

TL/DR..

So not wanting to fuck at all gets a parade now too? The little cartoon dude is even marching around with a silly sign..ha...

If I were L or G or B or T I sure as hell wouldn't want the A to be force fed into my group. Do gay men actually identify with Asexuals? Come on, of course they don't...

It's showing that, like sexual people aren't confined to only one binary representation, level or social existence, so it goes for asexual people. Since sex and sexuality is and can be intersectional.

There's no force-feeding going on, just recognition and acknowledgement of who they are. I think it's a good thing for people to know they're not the only one who feels this way or that they're "wrong" for feeling it, which is what the comic showcases along with a thorough and inclusive definition of asexuality.

Plus, they got their own flag!

 

[IrezumiKiss]

From ace comics artist Kiku Hughes:

http://geniusbee.tumblr.com/post/152304907792/its-asexual-awareness-week-and-so-i-thought-id

It’s Asexual Awareness week and so I thought I’d finally post this guest comic I did a last year for Oh Joy Sex Toy (warning: the link is NSFW). To be honest, “ace discourse” on this website exhausts me, so I wasn’t going to post this. But I decided I wanted to just get something off my chest.

I spent the majority of my life thinking there was something seriously wrong with me. And learning about Asexuality not only freed me (somewhat) from that, it also freed me from compulsory heterosexuality. See, I assumed because I wasn’t sexually attracted to women, I had to be straight. Nevermind that I wasn’t sexually attracted to ANYONE, compulsory heterosexuality had convinced me that I just had to “wait for the right guy” or some bullshit. Finding out I was ace allowed me to THEN make the realization that I wasn’t straight. But it didn’t happen right away.

Sexuality and orientation are complicated, multilayered, confusing. I think it’s important to acknowledge that cishet ace struggles and experiences are not comparable to those of LGBT folks. They have their own hurdles certainly, but the institutional oppression of LGBT people is much more severe and blatant. I do not think that is up for debate.

But I do think it is also important to acknowledge that when society is enforcing heterosexuality, it can be extremely difficult to unpack every aspect of one’s orientation at once. This goes for every LGBTQIA+ person. We all have to undergo a process of figuring ourselves out, and it is rough. So I really think having awareness and resources and outreach about Asexuality is hugely important within the LGBT community, because LGBT folks may not realize that asexuality is part of that identity they’re figuring out, and that can be a major stumbling block.

Anyhoo that’s my 2 cents. To all my aces and especially my LGBT aces - you are not broken, and you don’t have to be ashamed of any part of your identity <3

http://66.media.tumblr.com/fa786b65bc70209a082ee0dea2f3848d/tumblr_ofmd0qRrAo1qg6krdo1_1280.png

http://67.media.tumblr.com/6eb546e1bb902e2d9144662b0e875c8c/tumblr_ofmd0qRrAo1qg6krdo2_1280.png

http://68.media.tumblr.com/3b9bc477bd4f87571df7598a840e078c/tumblr_ofmd0qRrAo1qg6krdo3_1280.png

http://66.media.tumblr.com/00f4cc46d3b959b2a7991c01ff6d5b86/tumblr_ofmd0qRrAo1qg6krdo4_1280.png

 

[Saint Peter]

cheers Saint Peter bro.

Stew

Not getting any leg is nothing to cheer about.

 

[Lorilei]

Finally.

 

[BotanyBoy]

Not getting any leg is nothing to cheer about.

Not wanting any in the first place is though....
http://i2.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/276/747/bf9.gif



Ohhh....found some left over apple fritter...

 

[LadyFunkenstein]

It's showing that, like sexual people aren't confined to only one binary representation, level or social existence, so it goes for asexual people. Since sex and sexuality is and can be intersectional.

There's no force-feeding going on, just recognition and acknowledgement of who they are. I think it's a good thing for people to know they're not the only one who feels this way or that they're "wrong" for feeling it, which is what the comic showcases along with a thorough and inclusive definition of asexuality.

Plus, they got their own flag!

Yeah that's all nice but, no one cares. So they don't like to fuck. Just don't fuck. No one is interested in people who don't fuck so what's the problem? People have been this way since the beginning of time, without the need for an Identity Stamp and celebratory Flag.

Can I get a Two in the Pink, One in the Stink flag?

 

[Conager]

Is it true that asexuality can be caused by too much time spent drawing comics?

 

[Stewart_Pidd]

Is it true that asexuality can be caused by too much time spent drawing comics?

Archie comics, sure bro.

Stew

 

[LadyFunkenstein]

It's showing that, like sexual people aren't confined to only one binary representation, level or social existence, so it goes for asexual people. Since sex and sexuality is and can be intersectional.

There's no force-feeding going on, just recognition and acknowledgement of who they are. I think it's a good thing for people to know they're not the only one who feels this way or that they're "wrong" for feeling it, which is what the comic showcases along with a thorough and inclusive definition of asexuality.

Plus, they got their own flag!

I just saw a part I missed before:

"So I really think having awareness and resources and outreach about Asexuality is hugely important within the LGBT community, because LGBT folks may not realize that asexuality is part of that identity they’re figuring out, and that can be a major stumbling block. "

So this is a lone asexual demanding an equal seat & acceptance at the LGBT table, that's what these cartoon are about. Because s/he is a lonely loser who is trying to fit in somewhere.

It's not up to us, it's up to LGBT people. We have plenty here, who will chime in?

Gay men, do you identify with these cartoons? Should s/he be invited to the next rally or dinner party?

 

[BotanyBoy]

Is it true that asexuality can be caused by too much time spent drawing comics?

I don't think it's caused by anything.

Some people just aren't really that into sex.

They are the opposite of nymphos....but not nearly as crippled.

That being said, I don't get the whole pride/parade thing or the need to be grouped in with the special snowflake crowd.

Not giving a shit about sex isn't an accomplishment or anything.

 

[BotanyBoy]

Because s/he is a lonely loser who is trying to fit in somewhere.

It was just a matter of time before someone said it

asexual =/= lonely or loser.

They are all kinds of folks, they just don't let their libido lead them around by the crotch.

 

[LadyFunkenstein]

It was just a matter of time before someone said it

asexual =/= lonely or loser.

They are all kinds of folks, they just don't let their libido lead them around by the crotch.

I didn't say all asexuals are lonely losers. I said the artist of this comic is a lonely loser. Which clearly is true. Were s/he not a lonely loser, s/he would not draw these comics promoting a seat at the LGBT table.

Asexuals have existed since the beginning of time. So? No one cares.

If you don't want to fuck, then don't. No need to bang out a bunch of dumb comics to force people to respect and like your lifestyle. Because no one cares. Except maybe your mom.

Sometimes I shove a finger up my own ass while masturbating. Hey I better write a comic of awareness about it. This is very important and deserves a week on the calendar.

 

[BotanyBoy]

I didn't say all asexuals are lonely losers. I said the artist of this comic is a lonely loser. Which clearly is true. Were s/he not a lonely loser, s/he would not draw these comics promoting a seat at the LGBT table.

Sorry I thought you were speaking in general, my mistake.

And yea I agree...I don't get it either.

But at the same time every other special snow flake gets a day/week/ribbon/symbol/flag etc. Except cis white guys, that shit is not ok....fuck them it's racist when they do it until further notice.

So I can't really say I'm surprised.

 

[LadyFunkenstein]

Sorry I thought you were speaking in general, my mistake.

And yea I agree...I don't get it either.

But at the same time every other special snow flake gets a day/week/ribbon/symbol/flag etc. Except cis white guys, that shit is not ok....fuck them it's racist when they do it until further notice.

So I can't really say I'm surprised.

It's pretty simple, I think.

We promote Identity so that people are more concerned with themselves over their Nation.

White men must be discounted because they tend to easily identify with Nation by default. Everyone else, it's been promoted to put your personal identity first. For white men, promoting National Sovereignty = racism.

This is why so people write or say "As a black/gay/trans/asian/victimized-white-woman-always-ducking-rape person I think ____________" instead of "As a New Yorker/US citizen/Southerner I think __________"

This is deliberate conditioning. If all that matters is who you are, there are no ties to bind the community. This is subversive promotion of Globalism. It's been well disguised as proving you are a Good Person by hopping on board.

 

[stickygirl]

I think Asexuality was only added to the LGBT... list because amongst the many kids who feel pressured into sex, a proportion decide against because they just don't like it, not because their parents had some control over them. Making asexuality visible & understandable informs them and lets them know there might be a perfectly valid explanation for how they feel. Just because someone says no to sex doesn't make them asexual or prudish or anything really - it's their decision.

I don't think there's any need for torching society on the principal that you don't think they deserve to have a voice or help them realise they aren't the only ones who just don't like sex.

Why not get behind National Frankenstein day on the 29th Oct? You could even design a poster - woop

 

[IrezumiKiss]

I think Asexuality was only added to the LGBT... list because amongst the many kids who feel pressured into sex, a proportion decide against because they just don't like it, not because their parents had some control over them. Making asexuality visible & understandable informs them and lets them know there might be a perfectly valid explanation for how they feel. Just because someone says no to sex doesn't make them asexual or prudish or anything really - it's their decision.

I don't think there's any need for torching society on the principal that you don't think they deserve to have a voice or help them realise they aren't the only ones who just don't like sex.

This. The first comic pretty much says this also.

As a deeply sexual person who doesn't hide their desires (that good ol' lusty Aries nature, I reckon), I didn't quite understand asexuality when I was younger, on up until recently. Even here at Lit, I didn't understand why an asexual person would want to be a part of an online sexual community (general board forum notwithstanding.) Now I'm understanding that there are more facets to human sexuality that I hadn't considered. It's fascinating to me and now that I think about it, I've likely made the acquaintance of many asexual people in my life, unbeknownst to me.

 

[pointless]

now i want to watch bojack horseman.

 

[BotanyBoy]

This. The first comic pretty much says this also.

As a deeply sexual person who doesn't hide their desires (that good ol' lusty Aries nature, I reckon), I didn't quite understand asexuality when I was younger, on up until recently. Even here at Lit, I didn't understand why an asexual person would want to be a part of an online sexual community (general board forum notwithstanding.) Now I'm understanding that there are more facets to human sexuality that I hadn't considered. It's fascinating to me and now that I think about it, I've likely made the acquaintance of many asexual people in my life, unbeknownst to me.

 

[IrezumiKiss]

The Asexual Spectrum: Identities In The Ace Community (INFOGRAPHIC)

06/19/2013 09:27 am ET | Updated Feb 02, 2016

Dominique Mosbergen
Senior Writer, The Huffington Post

This is part of a six-part series on asexuality, in which we explore the history of the asexual movement, uncover current research on asexuality, debunk common misconceptions and discuss the challenges the asexual community faces.

Aces say that asexuality, like sexuality, exists on a spectrum. Most asexuals, when asked, will identify two orientations: a sexual one and a romantic one.

“[The asexual lifestyle] allows you to see how sex and romance can be decoupled,” said Anthony Bogaert, a professor at Canada’s Brock University and an authority on asexual research. “It allows you to see that when we automatically couple up romance and sex, as if they’re naturally together, that’s not true.”

http://big.assets.huffingtonpost.com/2013_05_SexualRomanticSpectrumWIDE.png

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/19/asexual-spectrum_n_3428710.html?


This is a good infographic. But having a little trouble with the word aromantic because the "aroma" part dominates it and it makes me think of smelling good food.

 

[Not Normal]

There's a decent documentary on asexuality. I can't remember the title, but its simple either simply Asexual or maybe A for Asexuality? Its pretty interesting.

There was also an asexual character, Boo, on Sirens. It was really interestingly dealt with, including a guy having a crush on her and deciding that, even if they wouldn't be a sexual couple, or a couple at all, he still just wanted to spend time and get to know her.

 

[pointless]

now i want to watch bojack horseman.

because todd.

he's asexual.

also, i just kinda like that show.