Asexuality- The Fabulous “Disease”

The chapter that heard all the shy laughs and giggles during our school days taught us about asexuality, but it was specific to plants. Because face it, we are okay with every natural thing owning their sexuality but humans.

For the media, sex is like the campus of a university. It has to be there, else the relationship is of no use. It raises the question of the lack of representation of asexuals in the media, which has cornered many people. Also, many others there are struggling to get out of the closet. This blog will dig into A of LGBT+, that is, asexuality.

1. The lack of sexual attraction to others, or a lack of interest in sexual behaviour, is referred to as asexuality. Asexuality is defined by some as their sexual orientation, while others tell it as a lack of sexual orientation. People who are asexual might be cisgender, non-binary, transgender, or any other gender.

2. Many asexuals develop romantic sentiments for others, go on dates, and engage in long and short-term romantic relationships. They do not have a strong aversion to sex or representations of sex; they just do not find it appealing.

3. Asexual people in India are marginalized and discriminated against due to their inability to understand the term “asexual”. Asexuality, unlike celibacy, is a sexual orientation, but it is rarely mentioned in the nation.

Media Representation of Asexuality

4. Moffat, writer of the series Sherlock Holmes, stated, “It’s (Sherlock’s decision to not engage in sexual activities) the choice of a monk, not the choice of an asexual. If he was asexual, there would be no tension in that, no fun in that – it is someone who abstains who’s interesting. There’s no guarantee that he’ll stay that way in the end – maybe he marries Mrs Hudson. I don’t know!” This is how asexuals have been perceived all over the years.

5. Popular media has been successful in putting zero efforts to represent asexuality and its individuals. While people from overseas have tried to instil asexuality in their works, India is far from the concept of asexuality.

6. In a patriarchal society and lives mostly on heteronormative terms, asexuals, especially women, are told that it's just a phase or things will get better after marriage. Most often daily soaps, it is observed that women do not get involved in premarital sex. This leads women to believe that they might feel different after marriage and stay in the closet.

7. Two best examples of asexual representation overseas are Todd Chavez in Bojack Horseman, where Todd Chavez begin to question his sexuality in his early adult years. Finally, coming out asexual after adhering to the safety of calling oneself nothing (neither homosexual nor straight).

8. Second is Florence in Sex Education. Asexuality is explored in the second season of Sex Education when Florence confides in Otis the pressure others put on her to have sex. Otis misunderstands Florence and tells her she is probably not ready or needs to find the perfect guy. As for Florence, she talks to the mother of Otis, Jean, who is a skilled sex therapist and introduces her to the notion of asexuality.

9. Actress of Kumkum Bhagya, Sriti Jha recited a poem at Kommune Spoken Fest in Mumbai, titled, “Confessions of a Romantic Asexual”. She explains how an asexual can not have a sexual desire yet want a romantic relationship. It also explained how she is not a sex hater, as perceived by many. You can see the poem here.

“The crux of it all was that I did not feel sexual or romantic feelings for anyone. Not a single goddamn person I had ever met and will ever meet. So that really was me. Aromantic. Asexual.” Written by Alice Oseman, loveless.

Being asexual does not mean they are incapable of love or romance. Good endings do not need to end with sex. They can also end with empathy and understanding. Presently, we can be supportive allies, and fingers crossed, the media becomes more inclusive about asexuals.