Erasing Invisibility: Asexuality in the Media

Erasing Invisibility: Asexuality in the Media

Kayla Reed
Copyright: © 2023 |Pages: 28
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-6684-5568-5.ch002
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Abstract

Asexuality is one of the lesser-known LGBT+ identities. Despite this, some asexual representation has begun to enter the mainstream media in the United States. Reviewing not only LGBT+ representation, but also LGBT+ activism of the past shows how representation has advanced, but also how far it has to go. Several tropes have emerged in asexual representation that need to be addressed. Reviewing the very little representation for asexuals shows there are many opportunities for media to tell new, better stories about LGBT+ individuals. Overall, the author advocates for not only more diversity in asexual and LGBT+ representation, but for identities to not be the main character trait.
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What Is Asexuality

How underrepresented is asexuality? One nickname for asexuality is the “Invisible Orientation”. A popular description of asexuality is a lack of sexual attraction/desire for anyone. But like most identities, asexuality is a spectrum, not a static position. There are many different aspects of asexuality not explored in this chapter that should be mentioned. In addition, it is important to separate sexual orientation from romantic orientation. Below are the identities that fall on the asexual spectrum (Pasquier, M, 2018).

Sexual orientations:

  • Asexual – not sexually attracted to or desiring sexual relationships

  • Greysexual- experiences sexual attraction minorly

  • Demisexual- experiences sexual attraction only through a strong emotional bond being established

Romantic orientations:

  • Aromantic – not romantically attracted to or desiring romantic relationships

  • Greyromantic- experiences romantic relationships minorly

  • Demiromantic- experiences romantic attraction only through a strong emotional bond being established

The author acknowledges that sexual and romantic identities evolve rapidly, and the above definitions are as of 2022. In addition to orientations, sex repulsion can play a part in an asexual identity. Some asexuals are repulsed by sex and avoid it completely. Others are sex indifferent or neutral and do not mind sex. Those who are sex neutral may indulge in sexual acts occasionally.

Asexual individuals often struggle with the invisibility of the orientation, “Before finding out about sexuality, it can make you feel like you’re broken because you’re not experiencing the same thing as everyone else” (Wareham, 2021). But asexuality makes up at least one percent of the population (LGBT+ Pride 2021 Global Survey), close to 78 million individuals. The isolation felt by asexual individuals is due to a lack of awareness of the existence of the identity. Part of this experience is that asexuality is considered a newer orientation with less history than most orientations.

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