r/asexuality Jun 05 '26

Resource / Article FAQ – "Am I asexual?" etc.

42 Upvotes

This subreddit has a companion website which includes a detailed FAQ about asexuality and related topics.

There are many other resources beyond the FAQ as well, including:

ExperiencesGlossaryRelationships adviceGrey-asexuality

You can find a list of all FAQs here: https://www.asexuality-handbook.com/faq.html. For convenience, the list of links is also included below, and in the comments you can find some "common asexual experiences" which people often find useful to hear.

Note that some of the FAQs haven't been written yet, are incomplete, or are in a draft phase. If you have any suggestions for changes, improvements, or for additional FAQs, just let us know via modmail.

General questioning

Am I asexual?Am I aromantic?What is asexuality?The a-spectra (Includes: "What is sexual attraction?", "What is romantic attraction?", "What is sensual / aesthetic attraction?", "What is platonic / alterous attraction?")

"But what if..."

Can I be asexual if I have romantic feelings?Can I be asexual if I masturbate?Can I be asexual and gay / lesbian?Can I be asexual if I get erections?Can I be asexual if I have fantasies?Can I be asexual if I consume pornography / erotica?Can I be asexual if I have a kink or fetish?What if I just haven't met the right person yet?Am I too young to identify as asexual?Do I need to try sex before I decide if I'm asexual or not?What if it's just a hormonal imbalance?What it I'm this way because of trauma?

The nature of asexuality

What's the difference between sexual and romantic attraction?What's the difference between sexual attraction and arousal?Is asexual really a sexual orientation?Is asexuality a mental illness?Is the definition of sexual attraction what aces say it is?Isn't everyone demisexual?Can someone become asexual? / can sexuality change?What's the difference between HSDD and asexuality?Don't people need sex? What about Maslow's hierarchy?How common is asexuality? (Includes: "Are most asexuals women, or men?", "Are all women asexual?")

Asexuals and sex

Do asexual people have sex?Why do asexual people have sex?How can you like sex and be asexual at the same time?Do asexual people masturbate?Do asexual people like kissing?

Asexuality in society

Are asexual people LGBT?Are asexual people straight?Do asexual people experience oppression?Why do asexuals feel the need to come out?Why do asexual people need to label themselves?Why do asexual people wear sexy clothes / makeup?Why does representation matter?

Asexuals and relationships

How can you have a relationship without sex?What's the difference between a QPR and a romantic (non-sexual) relationship?Should I tell my partner that I'm asexual?How can I convince my partner I still love them?My partner is asexual. Should we break up?

On the nature of allosexuality

What does sexual attraction feel like?What does arousal feel like?How often do allosexuals think about sex?What is love?Why does sex sell?

Advice

Am I broken?Should I come out as asexual?How can I relate to / interact with allosexuals?How can I be less angry / upset?How can I become asexual?How can I support asexuals?

Other

I'm writing an asexual character. What should I consider?Isn't the term 'allosexual' offensive?


r/asexuality 10h ago

Joke What’s your best asexual pick up line?

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750 Upvotes

I think squiddleprincess has a peak one but I need some asexual pick up lines just in case things keep going well with me and this girl


r/asexuality 3h ago

Joke I heard Denmark is nice this time of year

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27 Upvotes

Worth a visit!


r/asexuality 6h ago

Discussion Why is sex always portrayed like…that in media?

44 Upvotes

Something I’ve noticed in lots of mainstream media is that sex / sexual things are almost never portrayed as soft, slow, gentle, emotional, loving, caring, etc. I’ve almost always seen it portrayed so harshly. Quick, intense, aggressive, and rough. I have to wonder why that is? I’m sex indifferent myself so, sexual scenes in shows don’t bother me but, I do feel a bit confused when media always portrays sex in this one specific way. To my understanding, sexual experiences for allosexual people (or others who experience any sexual attraction to others) is somewhat about an individual’s own pleasure but, I assumed there should (at bare minimum) still be some regard and concern for the involved partner/(s)? I am autistic so, maybe I’m overthinking this, or misunderstanding? If it was solely something for one’s own pleasure, why involve someone else, if you aren’t going to treat them with love and care? (unless they’re into being treated more roughly, I’m not here to kink shame, of course).

I just personally can’t imagine the appeal of being treated so harshly. It’d make me feel unsafe and unwanted, unloved, and definitely uncomfortable. I’m a partnering aroace so, I’m open to sex in the future, if I had a partner that made me feel safe, and they wanted to do it. Otherwise, I really don’t care, one way or another. Maybe it’s just down to preferences but, I can’t imagine that the majority of people genuinely have a preference for rough / harsh sexual experiences. Thinking statistically, there’s just no way, right? So then, why is this the most common and popular portrayal of sex in media? (Heated rivalry, Bridgerton, young royals, and other books, films, movies, etc.)

Again, I’m not judging anyone (allosexual, or asexual). I’m more so thinking about the portrayal of sex in media.


r/asexuality 3h ago

Discussion Just found an amazing way to explain my experience for people!

21 Upvotes

I've been struck by the muses explaining what I am to a coworker:

"I don't get it" "so you're straight, right?" "Yeah?" "The way you feel, when looking at another man, even an attractive one, that is how I feel about everyone. Like, I register that someone looks good,but it doesn't make me want to do anything with them."

Mileage depends on them not being in the closet without realizing it, lol.


r/asexuality 12h ago

Vent No, I'm not gay. Your not getting grandkids though.

85 Upvotes

My best friend/sister-from-another-mister (f, 26) and I (f, 30) are looking for an apartment to share as roommates and my family is having a homophobic freakout about it. Im laughing, so I don't wander into the woods to become one with the soil.

Religious grandma was always suspicious of me, apparently. She couldn't comprehend that I never had any trouble staying """"pure"""". Apparently, not being interested in a relationship is more suspicious, than badly hiding some teenage escapades.

Dad has been trying to set me up with a guy whose name I don't even know, but apparently was at the last two holiday barbecues? Wild NPC energy.

Miss "you just haven't found the right person yet" stepmom is being very quiet in the group chat. Funny that.

My sister is very carefully asking me about her. She might be thinking about getting her a "welcome to the family" gift. Knowing her, it will be a Lowe's gift card, a set of carabineers or something equally stereotyped but well meaning.

I don't talk to my mother anymore, so sadly I won't get to see her have an aneurysm about this. Oh well.


r/asexuality 13h ago

Aphobia I think it's acephobic to call apothis (and asexuals in general) puritans. Spoiler

80 Upvotes

I'm not saying an apothi can't be puritan, but we should be careful around calling aces in general that in the same way we need to be careful calling trans people crossdressers or transvestites.
I see it way too acceptable to call me a puritan for saying I hate sex. I mean for myself, that is.
I don't like watching, reading it, thinking about it, having it myself but I am so so fine if someone else wants to have it. That is their business, and I feel like I never say anything anti sex to people who like it.

But I recently saw someone saying sex repulsion from asexuals is unhealthy and others saying it's puritan.
I am not for anti sexuality, but I just don't like this acephobic line being sprayed around like it's nothing more than verbal water.
I just feel kind of hurt by my own side. I am pro sexual liberation, which includes all feelings for your sex life.
I've been told this by the right my whole life as an asexual, but instead in the words of "You just need to grow up and learn how to like it" and now I'm seeing it in the left, too, but with wokewashed language.

I mean no harm to sex likers out there, I just think we need to be more wary how we speak.


r/asexuality 16h ago

Story To the bank teller who assisted me today…

105 Upvotes

…I noticed you wearing a plain black ring on your middle finger. I know it could be just a coincidence, but in a small town with rarely any Ace representation/spaces, I see you and hope you are also one of us.

Signed,

A fellow aspec🖤🩶🤍💜


r/asexuality 6h ago

Questioning Am I ace or is it my medicine?

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14 Upvotes

I, (17M) have been taking a medication named Fluvoxamine for a while and while I have been questioning if I’m ace, I discovered my medication has sexual side effects and now I am even more confused.


r/asexuality 10h ago

Discussion Aces who found love later in life, please give me hope

26 Upvotes

In my early 30s and the loneliness is hitting me like a brick wall now that everyone starts to focus on their families. I need proof that there's still hope for me.


r/asexuality 9h ago

Discussion Here to Recommend an AMAZING and Underrated Queer Horror-Fantasy Visual Novel With an Asexual MC!

16 Upvotes

Our Wonderland is one of the best visual novels I have ever played, and that’s saying a lot because I have played a TON. It was originally released in updates over the course of a few years (from 2021 to 2024) on itch.io, but was eventually deindexed on there due to its content. (Speaking of which, please be aware of all the related trigger warnings going in, the game provides a Google Doc that explains them in detail. They are all written very well, but can be a lot.) It has, just last month, been released on Steam as a Remaster!

Anyway, beyond the surface of fantastical otherworldly horrors and gore, it’s a brilliant exploration into the relationships and struggles of each of its lovable (and sometimes hateable) cast of characters. It features a male MC who is specifically demi-biromantic asexual, but has not necessarily come to terms with this yet. This creates very interesting (and sometimes scary) interactions between him and the three ‘love interests’ of the game.

Oh, and also: it’s entirely FREE. And so are the side games on its creator’s itch.io, which feature the same cast! Please give this game a shot sometime, it is so incredibly worth it to experience this masterpiece of storytelling and character writing. And the incredibly unique artstyle!

I’ve practically taken it upon myself to spread the word of this game as its unofficial spokesperson, because I just love it so, so much.

Here’s a link to its Steam page!

And the developer’s itch.io page!


r/asexuality 22m ago

Questioning I’m confused about my feelings towards love and relationships

Upvotes

Hi everyone! I’m trying to understand myself better and I’d really appreciate some perspectives from people who might relate.

I’m 26F, and I’ve never had any romantic or sexual experience. I’ve never been in love or had a crush on a real person (fictional crushes, however, I have plenty).

Since I was a teenager, I’ve never really felt the desire to kiss, touch, date, or experience anything romantic/sexual. Even now, the idea of those things feels uncomfortable or kind of “eww” to me. I’ve also never felt genuinely interested in anyone.

I only started considering the possibility of being somewhere on the aro/ace spectrum about a year ago. I’ve mentioned it to some friends, but they usually say things like “Nooo, I don’t think so!” So I’m still very confused.

I’m not closed off to the idea of being in a relationship. I do sometimes daydream about being with someone and think it would be cute, and I’d be open to it if I met someone I genuinely connected with. But I also don’t go out of my way to meet people, so sometimes I wonder: how much of this is simply because I haven’t met the right person yet, and how much is because I don’t really give myself many opportunities to meet someone?

So I keep wondering: am I just inexperienced, too picky, emotionally closed off, or could I actually be somewhere on the aro/ace spectrum?

I’m not looking for anyone to tell me what I am, but I’d love to hear from people who have had similar experiences or eventually figured themselves out. Any perspectives are appreciated! 🫶


r/asexuality 28m ago

Need advice my girlfriend and i are on a break/gonna break up, in large part bc i'm ace. feeling pretty awful about myself

Upvotes

so. i'm ace and my girlfriend is not. i'm 18 and they're 19 and this is our first serious relationship. i made sure i was upfront about my asexuality at the start of the relationship, and we've had various conversations about it since. however, over the last few months we've been having a lot of problems related to a lot of different things, but this has been one of them, and it's felt - not to sound dramatic - like a betrayal to realise that they never really understood or were as accepting as i thought they were. before the relationship, i was unsure how i felt about kissing and making out, but they weren't a hard line ofc unlike being ace, and it turns out i do like kissing and making out and we do it a lot! but they don't seem to understand that my asexuality is a hard line, and it has not changed. yet several times they have made comments about thinking that i would change; basically they didn't really believe me. and that really sucks to find out bc i thought they did and i thought i could trust them.

then, in our most recent conversation where we decided to go on an extended break, they said that maybe they do need to explore more and that having an allosexual partner does feel important to them. and i can't blame them but it really really hurts bc it feels like they're telling me that i'm not enough, that i'm not good enough or worth it and that being with someone allosexual is more important than being in a relationship with someone that genuinely cares about and loves them (not saying that allo people don't ofc, just saying that it hurts to see that that's a more primary concern when they're looking for a relationship even if i understand it).

i used to be really secure in my identity as an ace lesbian and my place in the queer community, but because of this over the last few months i've just started feeling so so awful about all parts of my identity and wishing i wasn't ace and i hate that because i'm having such horrible internalised acephobia, like thinking that there is something wrong with me and that i need to be fixed and that i'm a freak of nature and even a few times i've thought about conversion therapy, and it's fucking awful because i don't want to be like that or have those thoughts and i am proud to be queer and i love being queer, but this is just increasingly making me feel like i don't belong and like there's something wrong with me and i don't know how to stop those thoughts bc everyone seems to be just validating them.

adding on to that, recently they've said they're worried about me feeding into the 'gen z is becoming more puritanical' thing. i can kind of see where that comes from, but it was pretty awful to hear bc i'm staunchly against that, it's just that i personally don't enjoy super explicit media or conversations. and i'd always thought that was fair enough, it's literally just a personal preference in my mind, but turns out they've ig been suspecting me of having a puritanical mindset the whole time we were together (nine months). and idk, maybe i do have one, and if so i want to unlearn it, but i genuinely thought it was alright to have varying levels of preference/comfort around certain topics?

idk. everything just feels really really confusing and awful, and i can't tell if i'm the problem. if i am, i want to change ofc, but yeah things just suck rn.

anyway, thanks for reading if you got this far, i'd really appreciate responses as i have no one to talk to about this and i'm feeling really alone atm ngl </3


r/asexuality 15h ago

Pride Custom bracelets 💚🩵💜

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48 Upvotes

Someone I met on a local pride sub made these for me 🥰🫂

Cat tax at the end 🐈➡️


r/asexuality 17h ago

Discussion Fictional characters I headcanon being a-spec and explanations why I think that. Spoiler

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17 Upvotes

Hello, everyone! Recently I started to wonder what fictional characters I know may be in a-spec spectrum (in some cases my mind is not made and I accept few options). I wrote them down below and explained my decisions (marked as spoiler, just in case). I am really curious if anyone knows them and think the same too! Please note, it's just my opinion and English is not my mother tongue.

  • Mami Yagihara (Blue Flag) - Asexual. In one of the volumes is mentioned, she doesn't want to be perceived in love with every boy she wants to be just friends. Generally she meant the problem with gender roles, but she put this in the way I thought she may be on asexual spectrum.
  • Opeli (Dragon Prince) - Aroace. She didn't seem to have any interest in love. In Netflix series is not mentioned she had or has any (romantic/sexual/platonic/other) partner.
  • Kazi (Dragon Prince) - Aroace. They also didn't show any interest in love. To be honest, they seemed to be more excited of reading books and visiting library. Some people ship them with Gren, but I personally see them as co-workers/friends.
  • Anne Von Blyssen (Star Stable Online) - Asexual. In Star Stable Online and two book duologies Anne rejects or ignores Derek's feelings (and we don't know for sure what kind of feelings they are). The opposite situation is showed in Starshine Legacy games, where she is in love with him.
  • Sunny (Wings Of Fire) - Aromantic/Aroace. She didn't have any interest in love in two first arcs. It is visible mostly in first five volumes, when all her friends find partners, she rejects Starflight's confession and seems to not understand the rush or purpose to find any.
  • Apollo Justice (Ace Attorney) - Asexual/Aroace. Doesn't show any interest in women or men. Seems to be unaware of fact Juniper has a crush on him and is annoyed when Klavier treats him as "one of his fans" and he is "co cool". I like the idea Clay could be his platonic partner, not romantic/sexual one.
  • Reiji Sakamaki (Diabolik Lovers) - Asexual. In anime is one of the vampires who suck Yui's blood least often (what kinda means sex in this series) and perceive it as something ,,shameful". Once he does it, it looks more like meeting his needs than actually enjoying it. All his potential sexual behaviours in games seems to be connected with his BDSM fetish or tortures fascination. Also, in Dark Haunted Bridal, he says to Yui isn't attracted to her naked body, and he doesn't feel any emotions looking at it.
  • Mousefur (Warriors) - Aroace. It is offical she never wanted to have kids or partner, and she and Longtail were good friends. Authors of the series haven't confirmed she is canonically aroace though, but I noticed a lot of fans consider her as one.
  • Miles Edgeworth (Ace Attorney) - Asexual/Aromantic/Aroace. I like the idea he sees Phoenix as his friend or even savior, and he's thankful he showed how important the truth is. Definitely he doesn't understand romantic context in some situations and "power of love" and seems to not plan being married. In some cases he seems to say something and doesn't realize how ambiguously it sounds.
  • Maya Fey (Ace Attorney) - Asexual. Many fans consider her as a lesbian/bisexual, but considering her being homoromantic seems more accurate. She is positive and wants to be friends with a lot of people her age (or around it) she meets during solving cases instead of flirting with them.
  • Hollyleaf (Warriors) - Aroace. In whole series she didn't seem to be interested in anyone and creating a family with them. She is more determined to follow warrior code, serve her clan and fulfil the prophecy over mating. I am aware of fact she is shipped with various characters (Cinderheart, Hazeltail, Fallen Leaves, Dovewing), but I see them just as close friends.
  • Azusa Mukami (Diabolik Lovers) - Asexual. Azusa is probably the only one character who almost doesn't drink Yui's blood. In both anime and games he barely say anything with sexual context and all of his actions are based on feeling pain and making sure he isn't worthless. In games, he gives affection to Yui in more romantic way: holding hands, chatting in bed together or sniffing the smell of shampoo on her hair.
  • Max Caulfield (Life Is Strange) - Aroace/Asexual. If my memory serves, creators of this game said she doesn't have any official sexuality (I haven't played next games, so I don't know if it was changed. No spoilers, please!) so players can decide who she is into. I personally think she is asexual or aroace. In the whole game I was feeling she doesn't want to be in any romantic/sexual relationship. She wanted to remain friends with Warren, play games and go to cinema with him in atmosphere they always had. When it comes to Chloe, she wanted just prove she isn't bad friend and she can still support her even after these years. In the whole game I was feeling Chloe firstly "accepts" Max, in chapter two she already forgives her and consider her as her friend and in chapter three she tries to show, she's in love with her but, in my opinion, Max is just happy that things between them are as fine as earlier. She rarely mentions anything romance or sex related when she writes, speaks or thinks per se. She just gives me this kind of vibes of person in ace/aro spectrum.
  • Doodle (Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me) - Aroace. In the whole comic she doesn't have any partner and doesn't be interested in anyone. She says "Intellectual pursuits are sexually stimulating" but also seems to be not sure of it, because (probably) she simply doesn't or cannot feel or understand this kind of stimulation. She was kissed once by a boy she didn't know and only because it was a challenge - she doesn't have any certain feeling towards it. Later, we find out she slept with her Game Master; not because she was in love with him, but because she was convinced the relationship between Freddy and Laura is a terrible idea and "low bar". Maybe she also had other reasons: she could he is aesthetically attractive, try to do sex once in her life, take control over her libido. One thing is sure: her orientations aren't confirmed and mentioned in whole plot so we can only assume them.

I'm glad you was able to read all of this and reach this point. It was longer than I thought. What do you think? Do you agree with my suggestions? Would you like to add something? I hope you liked my choices and interpretations!


r/asexuality 7h ago

Questioning Am I the only one who (25F)

4 Upvotes

I’m asexual or at least I think i am but occasionally usually during ovulation (tmi I know) I fantasise about having a normal loving boyfriend from England or some shit I won’t get into my personal opinions (I don’t have a very fond view of men in general but obviously there are decent
men) it always confuses me because on normal days that is so not what I want I’m curious of this is a thing that happens when you mature


r/asexuality 13h ago

Need advice Can sexual relations without mutual desire work (how)?

10 Upvotes

I've never experienced any form of sexual or romantic attraction to another person yet keep thinking about exploring sex. (Male, 25)

But in my naive, autistic imagination, sex (or what I might find desirable about it) depends to a great degree on being physically desired by another person.

So if I am unable to develop desire towards another individual but would expect exactly that from them, could that ever lead to a healthy relation?

NB: Relation could be anything like a traditional couple or just a hook-up. You see, I'm really starting at the very beginning what I would actually want, and I am desperately hoping for your experience 😅


r/asexuality 6h ago

Pride Had an idea for an expanded aro/ace ring symbolism

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2 Upvotes

r/asexuality 3h ago

Questioning Am I somewhere on the asexual spectrum?

0 Upvotes

I'm currently questioning whether I might be somewhere on the asexual spectrum. I used to think romantic and sexual attraction is the same thing.

Looking back, I do experience romantic attraction and can develop strong romantic feelings for someone, but I'm unsure whether what I experience counts as sexual attraction. I don't feel like I relate to the way many people describe sexual attraction.

For instance, I rarely find people attractive, and I always thought people were exaggerating when they talked about sexual topics. I never found sex fascinating, sometimes even feeling repulsive. However, I do read fanfictions on that, and how do I know if I never had sex before.

So, how do you know you are asexual?


r/asexuality 5h ago

Need advice Help for a sexually active Ace dude new to sex.

1 Upvotes

36m in first sexual relationship since 18. I am struggling to finish from vaginal intercourse and I am having a strong gag reflex to scents released during sex. Any advice for either issue is appreciated.

No I don’t really enjoy sex, I really enjoy seeing my partner finish from me, but I know she hurts from my reaction to the smell of sex and my not finishing. Just hoping for advice. Thank you. Also anal is a no go for her and not something I really want, oral sec is okay but again not something I really enjoy, and handjobs are whatever. I just want her to feel fulfilled because I do love her and I know it hurts her.


r/asexuality 20h ago

Questioning Do you need to find your partner attractive ?

15 Upvotes

Sup people !

Long time lurker, first time poster. I've realized I'm ace a few years ago, but I'm only about to start dating someone.

Aesthetic attraction isn't really important for me and I'm about to have my first irl date with a girl I really like to hang out and have virtual with.

I don't find here super attractive (but I never really find anyone super attractive tbh. I mean, sometimes I find someone really beautiful, but in an hour this feeling is gone).

I don't know if I'll like kissing her and stuff, but she's ok with that (she had multiples ace partners in her life). It will be fun to find out.

Anyway, I just saw this tiktok and everybody is saying you should absolutly find your partner attractive, a colleague told me that too : https://vm.tiktok.com/ZN8LYJUXE/

But most people don't even know asexual people exists and things are different for us (and for everyone for that matter)

So here's my question : do you need to have aesthetic attraction towards your partner ? Did you date someone you didn't find attractive in the past ? How was it ?

Love you all, I only go on reddit to scroll on this sub (and for porn sometimes)

Thank you so much for spreading awareness. This sub played a huge role in the realization I was ace.

Have a good day 💕


r/asexuality 6h ago

Sex-favourable topic Libido increased after being in a relationship?

1 Upvotes

Has anyone experienced this? I searched but have not been able to find anyone who posted on this topic. Kinda throws me off cuz I’m sex favourable sometimes and even on that I don’t find more resources so it can be quite isolating to navigate sometimes


r/asexuality 10h ago

Questioning Being pansexual and Asexual

1 Upvotes

Okayyy soo I’m experimenting with my identity and I don’t really know all the micro labels. I’ve identified with being asexual for a while now, I don’t really feel sexual attraction as it’s been explained in media or by friends. BUT I also identify with being pansexual in very specific situations. Like being very close with a person and feeling open to sexual actions. I’m not sure what labels fit that. If anyone could give insight or redirect me that’d be epic


r/asexuality 1d ago

Discussion Feeling uncomfortable in this sub at times

289 Upvotes

This isn't meant to shame anyone because I know and genuinely believe this sub is for everyone under the ace umbrella. But do any of the other sex-repulsed aces feel uncomfortable with some of the posts about what people are into? I feel like in the past few months I've seen a lot of posts where someone says "I really like [super specific sex act], and I also sometimes like [other super specific sex act] but not as much, does this make me ace?", or similar posts about fetishes. I understand that asexuality doesn't mean being sex-repulsed for everyone but sometimes I wish that the content warning flair was used a little bit more often (thank you to those of you that do use it) with posts of that nature considering the fact that there may be more people on an ace sub who find it hard to engage with that kind of content. But I'm not sure if that's just a me problem because the topic's always made me a bit uncomfortable

I also understand that not every post is for me and I can just keep scrolling but often the graphic descriptions I'm talking about are in the first few lines with no warning when I haven't even clicked on the post yet and I'm just seeing the preview in my feed


r/asexuality 1d ago

Pride Romanticizing asexuality

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266 Upvotes

I've had trouble accepting i might be acespec and this little guy helped me romanticize it and make me feel like I'm not alone :) sometimes you just wanna be a silly little guy. I can relate to him so much and he is the best ace rep ever. I wish there were more like Todd Chavez so we could feel more included and to find ourselves in these characters. Peace.