http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/465467-asexuality-its-normal-says-expert/?photo=3
Source: The Epoch Times, Author: Justina Reichel

For the last decade Anthony Bogaert, a psychology professor at Brock University in Ontario and a leading expert on asexuality, has been working to change the notion that being asexual is some kind of problem or disorder.

He has been an influential authority on the subject ever since, culminating in his latest book, "Understanding Asexuality," which characterizes asexuality as an emerging sexual orientation.

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Found this article quite interesting, as my gf identifies as asexual. Thought I'd share since I know there are others here who identify this way. Sometimes it's nice to know society is catching up with what you already know

Edited by LH to comply with Posting Guidelines (added in name of source and author, as well as snippet of article)

I identify as asexual.  I kind of have mixed feelings about the growing awareness of asexuality.  On the other hand, it would be nice if my mother (back when we still spoke) would not totally disregard my reality and insist that my disinterest in sex is a problem created because I was traumatized by an abusive father. 

On the other hand, aside from the occasional person who says things to me like "Oh, you're not married?  I'm sorry.  You're really pretty.  You deserve the be married."  I have never had problems because of being asexual.  I think that may be because people are so unaware of us that they don't even know to persecute us.  I kind of like that degree of anonymity and being left alone. 

For coming out as trans*, on the other hand, I have experienced catastrophic levels of discrimination.  Society seems to absolutely know enough to persecute me for that part of my identity.  So I fear that increasing awareness may lead, at least at first, to increasing levels of persecution that I, for one, do not want.

Janeane Garofalo is not asexual.  She's just obnoxious.

Hmm.. I don't know if I think people would respond the same way to asexuality. They might find it a bit odd, but certainly not offensive. As for trans* awareness... I don't think there is nearly enough. I didn't know much about it until my gf came out to me. I then did my research and found a lot of helpful stuff... it might be different for me because I've felt and can understand dysporia.. but I feel like if people were made more aware, such discrimination would not happen on such a scale. I know it would still be a problem.. people get really touchy when you mess with their gender norms.. but it might at least help parents or loved ones who still want to be in a persons life.. though I guess you have to want it to accept it... idk why it's any of anybodys business though.. trans awareness is actually something I've been thinking a lot of lately and I really can't describe where I'm at.. it'slike.. I almost feel like it's dehumanizing, thiswhole trans awareness thing.. but I really don't thnk there is enough information out there for people that haven't experienced it to begin to understand. Though I really don't understand why they even care, because it's not their life.. but I guess people just like shoving their noses where they don't belong.. buh! now I'm off on a tangent.. but it was interesting hearing your opinion on it ..

Thank you, muffinpants.  We live in this rigid binary world, and that works 96% of the people.  But then we have the LBBTQ community, including those without a sexual orientation, and that can be disconcerting to some.

My feeling is "live and let live."  I am pretty much celibate these days, just because the current plumbing distresses me to some extent, but at the same time I crave companionship, touch, and togetherness.

Quote from: Oh The Humanity! on January 25, 2014, 07:47:47 PM
Janeane Garofalo is not asexual.  She's just obnoxious.

A truer statement has never been made! 

There's only one reason to have sex, beyond that I feel people make way too much about it. It's (asexuality) certainly normal.

I miss sex, but I DON'T miss all that comes along with it.

Haven't been in a sexual relationship of any kind for eleven years now. Haven't had sex with myself for a year. Sometime wonder if I'm non sexual!

Kia Ora,

I think the interesting thing about asexuality, is that it does not mean all asexual people do not have or like sex in any shape or form...It simply means we are not as interested in sexual attraction as our 'sexually attracted' cousins...

My asexuality came to the forefront at the same time my gender identity climbed out of the closet, I can remember my doctor saying to me "You do realise that after awhile on HRT your sex drive may greatly be diminished!" I told her it was of no importance whatsoever...

I have not had sex in any shape or form for over 15 years and nor do I have any desires of a sexual nature...I have four children so yes I must have had sex in the past and yes the act was enjoyable...But I was never driven by it...

However I now see myself as an asexual bi-romantic/affectionate in other words I have the best of both worlds(cuddlies, kisses and hugs from both sides) but without the hang ups (no sex)...

Metta Zenda

for those of you who identified as asexual, does this mean that nothing sexualy aroused you at all?

Quote from: bingunginter on January 26, 2014, 02:17:49 AM
for those of you who identified as asexual, does this mean that nothing sexualy aroused you at all?

Kia Ora bingunginter,

Check out this link...

http://www.asexuality.org/wiki/index.php?title=Asexuality

However like sexual orientation that quite often "comes out of the closet" my asexuality was always there and it just took confirmation of my gender identity to bring it out...I guess I must have been a 'sex-positive' asexual before and during my marriage...

BTW I just found another term "Nonlibidoism"

http://www.asexuality.org/wiki/index.php?title=Nonlibidoism

I may have gone from a sex-positive asexual to a nonlibidoist asexual (but not the militant kind-I'm just content with having no interest whatsoever)

Metta Zenda

I know the biological process of sex happened, because my will acknowledges three children, one with three of his own!!  Their mother and I agree that we ruined a good relationship by getting married.  When the marriage ended over her realizing that she could not take part in raising the brats, it ended any of my interest in going for the sex.  I could, and did, but almost no emotional involvement with the sex per se.  1984 was the end of an era for me, and the sexual aspects of dating left me with my head spinning and confusion you would not believe. I do not and have not "gotten" the sex drive thing, or the importance of it.  I have lost friends who could not understand me, and vice versa (or is that verse visea)   I love my kids and grandkids very much, and I did volunteer youth work for 30+ years with no trouble (other than being trans* miserable) but out as trans* = kicked out as a volunteer.   Sex life if you will is just my green dilator!! 

Quote from: muffinpants on January 25, 2014, 07:10:09 PM
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/465467-asexuality-its-normal-says-expert/?photo=3
Source: The Epoch Times, Author: Justina Reichel

For the last decade Anthony Bogaert, a psychology professor at Brock University in Ontario and a leading expert on asexuality, has been working to change the notion that being asexual is some kind of problem or disorder.

He has been an influential authority on the subject ever since, culminating in his latest book, "Understanding Asexuality," which characterizes asexuality as an emerging sexual orientation.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Found this article quite interesting, as my gf identifies as asexual. Thought I'd share since I know there are others here who identify this way. Sometimes it's nice to know society is catching up with what you already know

Edited by LH to comply with Posting Guidelines (added in name of source and author, as well as snippet of article)

Funny, I happen to be asexual and transgendered.  I wonder what the odds of that combo.

Quote from: Amy1988 on February 01, 2014, 09:46:02 PM
Funny, I happen to be asexual and transgendered.  I wonder what the odds of that combo.

Rather good, actually.  Asexuality seems to be very common in trans* people!

Quote from: ThePhoenix on February 01, 2014, 10:39:15 PM
Rather good, actually.  Asexuality seems to be very common in trans* people!

Kia Ora Phoenix,

I remember reading somewhere that a doctor who dealt with trans-people on a regular bases(it might have been in Jennifer Finney Boylan's book "She's Not There" ) said the ratio  was one third are straight (heterosexual), one third bent(homosexual and or bi), and one third asexual...

Metta Zenda

I think many people in this society are obsessed with sex. I caught much grief about it when I was in junior college many years ago. I enjoy sex but it's not something that I have to have in my life. Asexuality is certainly normal. At times I wonder if I am myself.