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 People and Entertainment

Asexual Community Insiders

Non-Asexual People

The Asexual Experience

PART THREE: THE MANY MYTHS OF ASEXUALITY

Bingo!

Aren’t 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 They’re 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?

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?

Wouldn’t Asexual People Be Lonely All the Time?

Are Asexual People Repressed, Boring, or Dispassionate?

Aren’t Asexual People Being Awfully Selfish? Isn’t an Asexual Person a Tease?

Don’t Asexual People Need to Procreate?

Do Asexual People Hate Sex or People Who Have Sex?

Should Asexual People Get Therapy to Be Fixed?

Aren’t Asexual People So Lucky to Have Simple, Uncomplicated Lives Without Sex?

Shouldn’t Asexual People Let an Experienced Sexual Partner Change Their Minds?

PART FOUR: IF YOU’RE 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 I’m a Teenager? Everyone Keeps Calling Me a “Late Bloomer.”

What If I’m 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 They’re Asexual! What Do I Say?

But What If I’ve Already Said Something Kind of Regrettable?

What If My Child Just Said They’re Asexual? Are They Too Young To Know?

What If My Partner Just Said They’re 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

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

“Asexual Perspectives” Contributors

Bibliography

Index