Asexuality is a designation or self-designation for people who lack feelings of sexual attraction and/or sexual desire. There is debate as to whether this is a sexual dysfunction or an actual sexual orientation; furthermore, there is disagreement over the exact definition of the word. The term is also sometimes used as a gender identity by those who believe their lack of sexual attraction places them outside the standard definitions of gender. There has been little research done on asexuality, but those studies that have been conducted suggest that, if it is a sexual orientation, it is the least commonly occurring one. In species which reproduce sexually, sexual attraction is attraction to other members of the same species for reproduction. ... The word lust means sexual desire (this meaning is sometimes metaphorically extended to other forms of desire, e. ... Sexual problems, also called sexual dysfunction or sexual malfunction, are defined as difficulty during any stage of the sexual act (which includes desire, arousal, orgasm, and resolution) that prevents the individual or couple from enjoying sexual activity. ... Sexual orientation describes the focus of a persons amorous or erotic desires, fantasies, and feelings, the gender(s) one is primarily oriented towards. ... In sociology, gender identity describes the gender with which a person identifies (i. ... Gender, for the purposes of this article, is the perceived or projected (self-identified) masculinity or femininity of a person or characteristic. ...

Debate

There is disagreement over whether or not asexuality is a legitimate sexual orientation. Some argue that it falls under the heading of hypoactive sexual disorder or sexual aversion disorder. Among those who do not believe it to be an orientation, other suggested causes include past sexual abuse, sexual repression (of homosexuality or otherwise), hormonal problems, delayed development of attraction, and not having met the right person. Many self-identified asexuals, meanwhile, say that these things are not true of them; they also state that, because their asexuality does not cause them distress, it should not be labeled a disorder. Others argue that, in the past, similar things were said about homosexuality, despite the fact that many people now consider it a legitimate orientation. Sexual abuse is physical or psychological abuse that involves sexual behavior. ... Homosexuality may refer to: A sexual orientation characterized by aesthetic attraction, romantic love, and sexual desire exclusively or almost exclusively for members of the same sex or with the same gender identity (e. ... A hormone (from Greek horman - to set in motion) is a chemical messenger from one cell (or group of cells) to another. ... A disease is any abnormal condition of the body or mind that causes discomfort, dysfunction, or distress to the person affected or those in contact with the person. ...

Because of the lack of research on the subject, there is little documented evidence in favor of either side of the debate.

Research

A study done on rams found that about 2% to 3% of the individuals being studied had no apparent interest in mating with either sex. Another study was done on rats and gerbils, in which up to 12% of the males showed no interest in females. Their interactions with other males were not measured, however, so the study is of limited use when it comes to asexuality (Westphal, 2004).

A UK survey of sexuality included a question on sexual attraction, and 1% of respondents replied that they had "never felt sexually attracted to anyone at all" (Bogaert, 2004). The Kinsey Institute conducted a small survey on the topic, which concluded that "asexuals appear to be better characterized by low sexual desire and sexual excitation than by low levels of sexual behavior or high sexual inhibition" (Prause, Nicole, and Graham). That study also mentions a conflict regarding the definition of "asexual": the researchers found four different definitions in the literature, and stated that it was unclear whether those identifying as asexual were referring to an orientation. The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender and Reproduction, often shortened to Kinsey Institute, exists to promote interdisciplinary research and scholarship in the fields of human sexuality, gender, and reproduction. The Institute was founded as the Institute for Sex Research at Indiana University at Bloomington in 1947 by Alfred...

Variations

There are differences among people that identify as asexual, chiefly among them the presence or absence of a sex drive or romantic attraction. Some experience only one of these, while others experience both, and still others neither. There is disagreement as to which of these configurations can genuinely be described as asexual. While a number of people believe all four variations qualify, many others believe that to be asexual, one must lack a sex drive, romantic attraction, or both.

The sex drive of those asexuals who have one is not directed at anything: it is only an urge for sexual stimulation or release. It can range from weak to strong, and from rare to frequent. Some asexuals experience sexual feelings but have no desire to act on them, while others seek sexual release, either via masturbation or through sexual contact, or both.

For those asexuals who experience feelings of romantic attraction, it can be directed towards one or both genders. These asexuals often desire romantic relationships (ranging from casual liaisons to marriage) with their preferred gender or genders, but often do not want these relationships to include sexual activity. Because of their romantic orientation, some asexuals describe themselves as gay, bisexual, or straight asexuals; this is related to the concept of affectional orientation. Gay, in addition to meaning happy, also means, simplistically, preferring the same sex in current usage, though to tie down the word to a specific cultural meaning might be to misrespresent a huge community of individuals who find themselves described by the word gay. The term gay, or lesbian for... In human sexuality, bisexuality describes people who are sexually and/or romantically attracted to both males and females. ... The word straight may refer to: the quality or state of extending in one direction without turns, bends or curves; or being without influence or interruption. ... The term affectional orientation is used by those who argue that ones orientation goes far beyond sexuality. ...

Those asexuals who do want romantic relationships are in a difficult position, as the majority of people are not asexual. Asexuals able to tolerate sex can pair up with non-asexuals, but even then their lack of attraction can be psychologically distressing to their partner, making a long-term romance difficult. Asexuals who cannot tolerate sex must either compromise with their partners and have a certain amount anyway, give their partners permission to seek sex elsewhere, have sexless relationships with those few who are willing, only date other asexuals, or stay single.

Some asexuals use a classification system developed (and then retired) by the founder of the Asexual Visibility and Education Network (http://www.asexuality.org), one of the major online asexual communities (abbreviated as AVEN). In this system, asexuals are divided into types A through D: a Type A asexual has a sex drive but no romantic attraction, a Type B has romantic attraction but no sex drive, a Type C has both, and a Type D neither. The categories are not meant to be entirely discrete or set in stone; one's type can change, or one can be on the border between two types. Note that AVEN itself no longer uses this system, on the basis that it is too exclusive, but a number of asexuals still feel it is a useful tool for explaining their orientation.

Note that asexuality is not the same as celibacy, which is the deliberate abstention from sexual activity; many asexuals do have sex, and most celibates are not asexual. Celibacy may refer either to being unmarried or to sexual abstinence. ...

Asexuality and religion

Several religions or religious sects believe that asexuality is a spiritually superior condition, and some asexuals believe that their lack of "base desires" allows them to feel a deeper spirituality, although other asexuals consider that an elitist attitude. In other creeds, children are considered a gift from God that should not be refused, a means of spreading religion, or both; it should be noted, though, that some asexuals do have children. Furthermore, according to some religious beliefs, sexuality itself is sacred or a divine gift; certain varieties of Tantra involve sex, for example, and some types of neopaganism and New Age include the concept of sacred sexuality. Tantra (Sanskrit: loom), tantric yoga or tantrism is any of several esoteric traditions rooted in Hindu and Buddhist philosophy. ... Neopaganism (sometimes Neo-Paganism, meaning New Paganism) is a heterogeneous group of religions which attempt to revive ancient, mainly European pre-Christian religions. ... New Age describes a broad movement characterized by alternative approaches to traditional Western culture. ...

Currently, asexuality faces little religious condemnation; unlike homosexuality, for instance, it is not a target of conservative religious groups.

Asexuality in fiction

In fiction, John Braine's novel The Jealous God (1964) is a good example of sex mainly seen as a sin. On the other hand, in his science fiction novel Distress (1995), Greg Egan imagines a 22nd century world where "asex" is one out of seven acknowledged gender settings. To quote from Distress: The Three Graces, here in a painting by Sandro Botticelli, were the goddesses of charm, beauty, nature, human creativity and fertility in Greek mythology. ... John Braine (April 13, 1922 – October 28, 1986) was a British novelist. ... The Jealous God is a novel by John Braine which was first published in 1964. ... See also: 1963 in literature, other events of 1964, 1965 in literature, list of years in literature. ... Science fiction is a form of speculative fiction principally dealing with the impact of imagined science and technology, or both, upon society and persons as individuals. ... Distress is a 1995 science fiction novel by Greg Egan. ... See also: 1994 in literature, other events of 1995, 1996 in literature, list of years in literature. ... Greg Egan (born August 20, 1961) is an Australian (Perth-based) computer programmer and science fiction author. ... (21st century - 22nd century - 23rd century - other centuries) The twenty-second century comprises the years 2101 to 2200. ... In sociology, gender identity describes the gender with which a person identifies (i. ...

"Asex was really nothing but an umbrella term for a broad group of philosophies, styles of dress, cosmetic-surgical changes, and deep-biological alterations. The only thing that one asex person necessarily had in common with another was the view that vis gender parameters (neural, endocrine, chromosomal and genital) were the business of no one but verself, usually (but not always) vis lovers, probably vis doctor, and sometimes a few close friends. What a person actually did in response to that attitude could range from as little as ticking the 'A' box on census forms, to choosing an asex name, to breast or body-hair reduction, voice timbre adjustment, facial resculpting, empouchment (surgery to render the male genitals retractable), all the way to full physical and/or neural asexuality, hermaphroditism, or exoticism." (Distress, paperback ed., p. 45)

An example of a sympathetically presented asexual character in science fiction is Aghora, one of Alejandro Jodorowsky's Metabarons, who is not only asexual but also a transman. In non-sexist language, gender-neutral or epicene pronouns neither reveal nor imply sex or gender when referring to people, animals or things. ... An intersexual is a person (or individual of any unisexual species) who is born with genitalia and/or secondary sexual characteristics of indeterminate sex, or which combine features of both sexes. ... Alejandro Jodorowsky © Beauregard - Maelström Edtions Alexandro Jodorowsky (born February 7, 1929, in Tocopilla, Chile to Ashkenazi Jewish parents) is a actor, director, producer, composer, mime, and comic book writer. ... Metabarons or The Saga of The Meta-barons are a fictional dynasty of super-soldiers created by Alejandro Jodorowsky and illustrated by veteran Argentinian artist, Juan Gimenez. ... Transmen or trans men are transsexual or transgendered people who were assigned female gender at birth (or, in some rare cases of intersexuality, later) and who feel that this is not an accurate or complete description of themselves. ...

Samuel R. Delany's 1969 short story "Aye, and Gomorrah..." depicts a society where astronauts become sexless because cosmic radiation renders their gonads useless.

Ryan A. Morgan's 1997 novel "John-Jack Christian" tells about a teenager struggling to deal with his asexuality in a normal teenage environment, before resorting to bodybuilding to keep himself sane.

See also

• Sexual orientation
• Celibacy
• Affectional orientation
• Androgyny

Sexual orientation describes the focus of a persons amorous or erotic desires, fantasies, and feelings, the gender(s) one is primarily oriented towards. ... Celibacy may refer either to being unmarried or to sexual abstinence. ... The term affectional orientation is used by those who argue that ones orientation goes far beyond sexuality. ... Androgyny refers to two concepts. ...

References

• Bogaert, Anthony F. (August 2004). Asexuality: prevalence and associated factors in a national probability sample (http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2372/is_3_41/ai_n6274004). Journal of Sex Research. Retrieved March 5, 2005.
• Egan, Greg (1995). Distress.
• Prause, Nicole, and Graham. Asexuality: a preliminary investigation (http://www.asexuality.org/docs/SSSS_2003.ppt). Retrieved March 4, 2005. (Note: Power Point file.)
• Westphal, Sylvia Pagan (14 October 2004). Glad to be asexual (http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99996533). New Scientist.

External links

• Asexual Visibility and Education Network (http://www.asexuality.org/)
• No sex please, we're asexual (http://www.guardian.co.uk/life/science/story/0,12996,1326893,00.html). The Guardian, (October 14, 2004).
• Study: One in 100 adults asexual (http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/science/10/14/asexual.study/index.html). CNN, (October 14, 2004).
• Asexual personals (http://www.asexualove.net)