“Asexuality is not an “internet orientation,” and the internet did not lead to the invention of asexual people. People had identified as asexual for decades before and in the 1970s bonded over asexuality in self-published work and zines. The people already existed; the internet helped people facilitate these discussions at a scale and volume that had not been possible before.”
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Ace: What Asexuality Reveals About Desire, Society, and the Meaning of Sex, by Angela Chen
being an ace/aro writer in a class of non-ace/aro writers is just a huge reminder than so many people don’t view found family or platonic partnership as something deeply emotional and important. Like I keep getting the question “why does character A care about character B if they aren’t attracted to each other?” or insinuations that romance and sex are the height of love and therefore should be in every story
like I’m tired of hearing “lol I really thought they were gonna get together at the end” just because there are two characters that care deeply for each other. They ARE together dummy, just not romantically or sexually!! There’s so much more to love than those two things.
I m not aro or ace but honestly people put waaaaay too much emphasis on romance. I love romance but it isn’t the Only Thing out there
tbh it doesn’t rly hurt teenagers to incorrectly id as ace like… what’s the worst than could happen? they don’t have sex till they’re older?? lol
“ohh but it’ll take them longer to realize they’re actually gay” i know my experiences aren’t universal but like. if i wasn’t ready to face my lesbianism then i was Not Ready, you could’ve eliminated every other label in existence and i still wouldn’t have accepted it. if anything, the ability to try out different labels helped me learn about myself, explore the community, and accept that maybe not being straight wasn’t so bad.
also lots of people identify as bi before realizing they are gay, lots of people identify as gay before realizing they’re bi, lots of people identify as gay before realizing they’re trans, etc etc etc!!! exploring and getting it wrong is a necessary part of the process!!! why is it so different for aroace identities?????
happy almost valentines day this is a reminder that singles, aromantics, and asexuals are valid and that a lack of romantic or sexual interest does not devalue you as a person
Every almost Valentine’s Day this post keeps getting notes and I’m just super glad that this message is spreading farther. Have a good Valentine’s Day, you’re valid even if you don’t experience sexual or romantic attraction and even if you don’t have a partner.
You are valid and also remember discount candy is for everyone!
ifesbob 