Being Asexual

By Elizabeth

Asexuality is the lack of sexual attraction to anyone. It can take different forms varying from person to person, with asexuality may feel a form of romantic attraction. Many people, once finding out that they are asexual, may disregard. This means if these people experience romantic attraction in the future they may begin to question their asexual label.

Within sexuality there is a range of different attraction types, and all the same apply to the romantic attraction. It can go from hetero-romantic to homo-romantic to aromantic (which is the lack of romantic attraction). Any sexuality could apply to this and it is worth knowing this for yourself.

When I was 12, I first started to question whether or not I was actually straight or "normal" (as I had thought it had been at the time). Some people will know or discover their own sexuality almost immediately after starting to question themselves. When I first went through my thoughts about this, I had not known about asexuality, and I assumed that at the age I was I would be like everyone else and not experience sexual thoughts. It wasn't until I was 13 until I settled on the idea that I was bisexual, this was though the help of one of my friends. Later in the school year, I started to realise that my friends, whilst not necessarily having sexual thoughts at that age, were not as repelled or disgruntled at the idea of sex that I was. This made me think for quite a while about which sexuality I actually identified as. It wasn't until 6 months later, once I had turned 14, that I saw a post explaining asexuality and the romantic attractions which came with it. This not only made me realise and come to terms with my sexuality but also realise that representation was important. Since that time 10 months ago, my sexuality has not changed, unlike when for about a year it would change every week or so.

To anyone trying to discover their own sexuality, whether it turns out to be asexual or not, don't feel like you're alone. Do not try and apply to something if it doesn't feel right, each person's experiences and self discovery will take a different amount of time. For some people it may only take days but for others it may take years. Do not use my or your friend's time lengths or experiences as the template for your own-each person's is different and unique. At the end of the day, you are wonderful the way you are.