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interview conducted by cindy zhang
introduction Asexuality, as defined by the Asexual Visibility & Education Network (AVEN), is a sexual orientation that covers a spectrum of people who do not feel sexual attraction towards others. Currently, asexual individuals make up about 1% of the global population (AVEN). Asexuality has been famously dubbed “the invisible orientation” from activist Julia Sondra Decker’s book of the same name. The erasure of the “invisible orientation” often stems from societal ideas regarding sexual attraction. As a result, those in the asexual community face discrimination in the healthcare industries, where uneducated medical professionals see their sexuality as a “disorder.” Asexuality may also be incorrectly referred to as “celibacy.” However, celibacy is a choice-- asexuality is an identity.
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In a research brief published in October of 2020, the Trevor Project’s 2020 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health found that “asexual youth reported higher rates of depression and anxiety compared to the overall LGBTQ sample” (The Trevor Project 2020).
The following interview was conducted with an anonymous member of the asexual community and has been edited for length and clarity. Additionally, please note that because asexuality itself is a spectrum and because the community is extremely diverse, no one member of the community can speak for everyone. However, the experiences of each individual are still valid.
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