ISBN:
9781510700642
Language:
English
Pages:
1 Online-Ressource (192 pages)
Parallel Title:
Print version Decker, Julie Sondra The Invisible Orientation : An Introduction to Asexuality * Next Generation Indie Book Awards Winner in LGBT *
DDC:
306.76
Keywords:
Asexuality
Abstract:
Lambda Literary Award 2014 Finalist in LGBT Nonfiction Foreword Reviews' INDIEFAB Book of the Year Award 2014 Finalist in Family & Relationships Independent Publisher Book Awards 2015 (IPPY) Silver Medal in Sexuality/Relationships Next Generation Indie Book Awards 2015 Winner in LGBT -- What if you weren't sexually attracted to anyone? A growing number of people are identifying as asexual. They aren't sexually attracted to anyone, and they consider it a sexual orientationlike gay, straight, or bisexual. Asexuality is the invisible orientation. Most people believe that everyone" wants sex, that everyone" understands what it means to be attracted to other people, and that everyone" wants to date and mate. But that's where asexual people are left outthey don't find other people sexually attractive, and if and when they say so, they are very rarely treated as though that's okay. When an asexual person comes out, alarming reactions regularly follow; loved ones fear that an asexual person is sick, or psychologically warped, or suffering from abuse. Critics confront asexual people with accusations of following a fad, hiding homosexuality, or making excuses for romantic failures. And all of this contributes to a discouraging master narrative: there is no such thing as asexual." Being an asexual person is a lie or an illness, and it needs to be fixed. In The Invisible Orientation, Julie Sondra Decker outlines what asexuality is, counters misconceptions, provides resources, and puts asexual people's experiences in context as they move through a very sexualized world. It includes information for asexual people to help understand their orientation and what it means for their relationships, as well as tips and facts for those who want to understand their asexual friends and loved ones
Abstract:
Intro -- Front -- Title Page -- Copyright -- Table of Contents -- Acknowledgments -- Introduction -- My Story -- What Is This Book About? -- Who Is This Book For? -- Why Was This Book Written? -- Part One: Asexuality 101 -- The Basics -- Asexuality Is a Sexual Orientation -- Asexuality Is a Mature State -- Asexuality Is a Description -- Asexuality Is a Healthy Status -- Asexuality Is a Reasonable Possibility -- Part Two: Asexual Experiences -- Romantic Orientation -- Romanticism -- Aromanticism -- Grayromanticism -- Demiromanticism -- Libido and Masturbation -- Intimate and Sexual Activity -- Polyamory and Non-Monogamy -- Kink, Fetish Play, and BDSM -- Gray Areas -- Graysexuality -- Demisexuality -- Asexual Relationships -- Society, Discrimination, and Queer Communities -- Asexual Community -- Young and Asexual -- Older and Asexual -- Asexual Women, Asexual Men -- Asexual People of Color -- Gay / Queer and Asexual -- Transgender and Asexual -- Other Non-Cisgender / Non-Binary Identities and Asexuality -- Autistic and Asexual -- Disability, Illness, Mental Illness, Disorders, and Asexuality -- Asexual Survivors of Abuse -- Asexual People and Entertainment -- Asexual Community Insiders -- Non-Asexual People -- The Asexual Experience -- Part Three: The Many Myths of Asexuality -- Bingo! -- Arenât They Using the Word Asexual Incorrectly? -- Is Asexuality Based On Fear of or Anger Toward Other Genders? -- Do People Become Asexual Because They Fail at Dating? -- Do People Become Asexual Because Theyâre Physically Unattractive? -- Do Asexual People Have a Physical or Hormonal Problem? -- Are Asexual People Too Distracted by Their Busy Lives to Be Sexual? -- Did Asexual People Have a Bad Sexual Experience and Swear Off Sex? -- Could Asexual People Be Suffering From Trauma Brought on by Sexual Abuse? -- Could Asexual People Be Secretly Gay?
Abstract:
Have Asexual People Just Not Met the Right Person? -- Is Asexuality a Religious Statement? -- Are Asexual People Going Through a Phase or Seeking Attention by Being Different? -- Wouldnât Asexual People Be Lonely All the Time? -- Are Asexual People Repressed, Boring, or Dispassionate? -- Arenât Asexual People Being Awfully Selfish? Isnât an Asexual Person a Tease? -- Donât Asexual People Need to Procreate? -- Do Asexual People Hate Sex or People Who Have Sex? -- Should Asexual People Get Therapy to Be Fixed? -- Arenât Asexual People So Lucky to Have Simple, Uncomplicated Lives Without Sex? -- Shouldnât Asexual People Let an Experienced Sexual Partner Change Their Minds? -- Part Four: If youâre Asexual (or Think you Might be) -- Am I Asexual? -- But This Changes Everything! -- Should I Come Out? -- How Should I Handle the Criticism? -- What If Iâm a Teenager? Everyone Keeps Calling Me a âLate Bloomer.â -- What If Iâm Already in a Relationship, or Want to Be? What Do I Tell My Partner(s)? -- So Where Do I Go From Here? -- Part Five: If someone you Know is Asexual (or Might be) -- A Message for Non-Asexual People -- What Does It All Mean? -- What Do Asexual People Want? How Can I Make Them Feel Accepted? -- So How Can I Acknowledge Their Existence? -- Is There Anything I Should Avoid Saying or Doing? -- Somebody Just Told Me Theyâre Asexual! What Do I Say? -- But What If Iâve Already Said Something Kind of Regrettable? -- What If My Child Just Said Theyâre Asexual? Are They Too Young To Know? -- What If My Partner Just Said Theyâre Asexual? What Do I Do? -- Can I Ask Questions? -- What Questions Can I Ask Without Making Someone Uncomfortable? -- Anything I Should Avoid Assuming? -- Part Six: Other Resources -- Basic Information, Introductions, Organizations, and FAQs: -- Discussion Groups, Networking, and Forums
Abstract:
Academic Resources and Research Collectives -- Brochures and Educational Materials -- Published Papers and Book Chapters on Asexuality -- Published Articles and Interviews on Asexuality -- Asexuality-Related Professional Video Media -- Asexuality-Related Audio Interviews, Presentations, and Podcasts -- Internet Videos and Channels on Asexuality -- Asexuality-Related Blogs -- âAsexual Perspectivesâ Contributors -- Bibliography -- Index -- Note
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