Asexual

Asexuality is a sexual orientation that describes individuals who experience little to no sexual attraction to others. It's a spectrum.

Asexuality is not the same as celibacy, where someone chooses not to engage in sexual activity, or abstinence, where someone refrains from sexual activity for a period of time. Instead, it's about the inherent lack of sexual attraction.

People identifying as asexual, or "ace" as it's often shortened, might still engage in romantic and sexual relationships. This is where the concept of romantic orientations, such as heteroromantic, homoromantic, biromantic, and aromantic, comes in.

For example, someone could identify as a heteroromantic asexual, meaning they are romantically attracted to people of the opposite gender, but do not feel sexual attraction.

Asexuality, like other sexual orientations, is personal and varies from individual to individual.

It's also important to note that the asexual community includes other identities under its umbrella, like demisexuals (people who only experience sexual attraction after forming a deep emotional connection) and graysexuals (people who experience sexual attraction only rarely or under specific circumstances).

Understanding and respect for asexuality and asexual people is crucial. Just as with any other sexual orientation, it's a deeply personal part of someone's identity and should be treated with the same respect and acceptance.

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At Progressive Therapeutic Collective, we are proudly sex-positive and kink-affirming counselling and sex therapy practice. We work hard to reduce shame and instead, encourage open and supportive conversations about our sexual selves.

We work across Australia via telehealth.