Shining a light on the "invisible orientation": Celebrating Ace Awareness Week

By Samantha Quinones

It’s Asexual Awareness Week! Read the article below to learn more on what exactly it is and how to spread awareness.

Halloween is right around the corner; it’s the time for zombies, ghouls, asexuals, and all the other hidden things of the night to come out and make themselves known. Ok, obviously we’re joking, but what’s no joke is the fact that asexuality tends to be the ghost out of everyone in the LGBTQIA+ community. It is the least known sexuality; why is that? Well, one main cause is coverage and representation, which is precisely why we have Asexual Awareness Week.

What is Asexuality?

Asexuality is the lack of sexual attraction to others or low/limited sexual attraction to

others. It is an umbrella term that hosts a whole spectrum of sexualities, such as demisexuality, gray-sexuality, asexuality, and more. Some may confuse it with abstinence or celibacy, but as it is a sexuality, it is not choice-based. Many asexuals refer to themselves as Aces, so if you hear someone call themself that, no they are not a playing card; unless that’s their Halloween costume...

What exactly is Asexual Awareness Week?

Asexual Awareness Week is always the last full week of October, and its purpose is to

not only support and celebrate asexual individuals but also to educate more people on what exactly asexuality is. Asexuals make up about 1% of the population, and yet it is the least known and often most forgotten sexuality, to the point where others believe the A in LGBTQIA+ stands for ally, and not Asexual/Aromantic.

Why is it important to have Asexual representation in the media?

As of right now, the only confirmed asexual characters in popular media are Spongebob

Squarepants, Yelena Belova from Black Widow, and Alastor from Hazbin Hotel. While there are others, such as Lilith Clawthorne from The Owl House, the fact a quick Google search can only find me four is concerning. People should be able to see themselves represented in mainstream media, and not have to constantly be grasping for any hint that a character may be asexual. There being so few is exactly why Asexual Awareness Week is so important. By having more people learn about asexuality, they create the space for more conversation to happen. Once that starts up, it’ll make Asexuality seem less like a ghost town with 0 members and more like The Haunted Mansion.

What can I do to help?

As always, spreading the word is one of the most helpful things you can do. If you are

asexual and comfortable with speaking on it, don’t be afraid to educate anyone who asks what exactly it is. If you are not asexual yourself but wish to help, supporting asexual creators and celebrities, as well as your own friends and family, is a great place to start. Participating in pride events or making posts on the internet to create community is also a wonderful way to make people feel comfortable with sharing their experiences as an asexual.

All in all, don’t be spooked by us; I promise we’re not going to crawl out from under your bed on Halloween night dressed as a card deck. Happy Ace Awareness Week!