What Does It Mean To Be Asexual?

Nowadays there are so many different words to describe gender identity and sexuality, which is great. Having and understanding the correct terminology for people and their romanic and sexual attractions makes it easier to understand other people and to understand yourself and your feelings.

Sometimes it’s easy to feel like you’re the only person in the world feeling the way you are and that that makes you weird; it doesn’t. You’re not alone in your feelings and thoughts.

A lot of people spend a lot of time thinking about sex and relationships, it’s normal. But it’s also normal if you have no interest in sex whatsoever. In fact there’s a word for it; asexual.

What Does It Mean To Be Asexual?

Asexuality is the lack of sexual attraction to others, or low or absent interest in or desire for sexual activity. It may be considered a sexual orientation or the lack thereof.

This definition only refers to sexuality, but people experience romantic attraction too. Asexuals (aces) can still experience romantic attraction towards people of any gender. However some asexuals are aromantic, which means they don’t experience romantic attraction to anyone.

Being Asexual = Normal

There’s nothing wrong with being asexual or even wondering if you are asexual, you are completely normal, just like people who are gay, bi and on and on…

Not being interested in the idea of sex at all or engaging in sex and realising that it’s not for you doesn’t make you weird; it’s just not your thing and you’re not alone in that. Approximately 1% of the world’s population is ace, and at 7.7 billion of us on the planet as of November 2019, that makes 77 million aces worldwide. Aces, like queer people have always existed.

Relationships, People and Sexuality Are All Complicated

Life is complicated and people are even more complicated. Relationships, romantic attraction and sexual attraction are all different for everyone. There is a difference between sexual attraction and romantic attraction.

LGBT.ie explains it well “Have you ever wanted to have sex with someone without wanting a relationship with them? Have you ever been in a relationship with someone you weren’t particularly into physically, but loved them for who they are? Perhaps you have made friends with someone only to find that some time down the line you become attracted to them unexpectedly? Have you ever found that you no longer wanted to be with someone romantically, but still wanted to have sex with them, or the sexual attraction was gone but you still loved them? If you have experienced any of these, then you know that romantic and sexual attraction are not the same thing, and can be experienced separately. “

You Can Still Feel Romantic Attraction To Someone And Be Asexual

Again, there’s nothing wrong with being asexual, it doesn’t mean you’re destained for a lonely life. Many people who identify as being asexual still fall in love and are attracted to people romantically, sex just isn’t something that they are really interested in.

And who’s to say if you’re not interested in sex right now that you won’t be down the line? Maybe you will find someone who you feel comfortable exploring that side of your sexuality with but if you’re not interested, you’re not interested.

Just like all labels, don’t feel the need to put a name on how you identify. Just know that no matter your thoughts or feeling you are never alone in your experience.