Asexual: a person who does not experience sexual attraction.
Welcome to the Asexual Visibility and Education Network. AVEN hosts the world's largest online asexual community as well as a large archive of resources on asexuality. AVEN strives to create open, honest discussion about asexuality among sexual and asexual people alike.
Unlike celibacy, which is a choice, asexuality is a sexual orientation. Asexual people have the same emotional needs as everybody else and are just as capable of forming intimate relationships. To find out more about asexuality, click here.
It's really nice to be out; you do get some odd questions, but I'm sure hanging around here you'll find out some good answers to them. Most of the reactions I got were awkward at first but then ended up being really positive. And it gets easier and easier to come out - I got to the point where I could tell anyone - random people on the bus even!
• … that some asexual people are happier on their own or with a group of close friends, while other asexuals have a desire to date and will form more intimate romantic relationships?
• … that asexual relationships are based on the same elements that are also important for many sexual people, like understanding, commitment, trust, emotional intimacy and communication?
• … that for some asexuals arousal is a fairly regular occurrence, though it is not associated with a desire to find a sexual partner? Some asexuals will occasionally masturbate, but feel no desire for partnered sexuality. Other asexual people experience little or no arousal.
Asexuality in Media and Research
• Three papers about asexuality were published in the August issue of the journal Sexualities. Discussion is here
• The Rumpus: an interview with David Jay about the new documentary, (A)sexual. Salon also has an article.
•The Telegraph reports on celibacy and on asexuality in “No sex please: the joys of a celibate life”.
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