ASEXUALITY ASEXUALITY [ACE/ARO SPECTRUMS] [ACE/ARO SPECTRUMS] ASEXUAL (ACE) is a sexual orientation characterized by a lack of ASEXUAL (ACE) is a sexual orientation characterized by a lack of sexual attraction toward any gender. “Ace”is short for “asexual,” just like sexual attraction toward any gender. “Ace”is short for “asexual,” just like “bi” is short for bisexual and “trans” is short for “transgender.” “bi” is short for bisexual and “trans” is short for “transgender.” AROMANTIC (ARO) is an orientation characterized by a lack of AROMANTIC (ARO) is a sexual orientation characterized by a lack romantic attraction toward any gender. “Aro” is short for “aromantic.” of romantic attraction toward any gender. “Aro” is short for “aromantic.” ACE & ARO SPECTRUMS are two separate ACE & ARO SPECTRUMS are two separate orientation spectrums–a sexual and a romantic one– orientation spectrums–a sexual and a romantic one– with which to identify. These spectrums can create with which to identify. These spectrums can create a multitude of identity combinations. “Ace” and a multitude of identity combinations. “Ace” and “aro” are also umbrella terms used to refer to anyone “aro” are also umbrella terms used to refer to anyone with asexual and/or aromantic identities including with asexual and/or aromantic identities including demisexual and/or demiromantic and gray-a. demisexual and/or demiromantic and gray-a. GRAY-A is considered the middle gray area between asexuality and GRAY-A is considered the middle gray area between asexuality and sexuality on the sexual spectrum and between aromantic and romantic sexuality on the sexual spectrum and between aromantic and romantic on the romantic spectrum. Demisexual and demiromantic identities fall on the romantic spectrum. Demisexual and demiromantic identities fall underneath this “gray-a” identity. underneath this “gray-a” identity. DEMISEXUAL people can experience sexual attraction after a close DEMISEXUAL people can experience sexual attraction after a close emotional connection has formed. emotional connection has formed. DEMIROMANTIC people can experience romantic attraction after a DEMIROMANTIC people can experience romantic attraction after a close emotional connection has formed. close emotional connection has formed. PEOPLE OVER DEFINITIONS: PEOPLE OVER DEFINITIONS: Asexuality and aromanticism are two of the more recent Asexuality and aromanticism are two of the more recent areas being explored, included, and named in the LGBTQIA+ areas being explored, included, and named in the LGBTQIA+ community. In this work, it is important to remember: all identities community. In this work, it is important to remember: all identities are self-identified. Never ascribe an identity to someone else. Let them are self-identified. Never ascribe an identity to someone else. Let them tell you how they choose to identify. Like gender identity and gender tell you how they choose to identify. Like gender identity and gender expression, ace and aro identities can change over time. expression, ace and aro identities can change over time. A NEW LOOK: A NEW LOOK: EXPLORING ROMANTIC & EXPLORING ROMANTIC & SEXUAL ORIENTATIONS SEXUAL ORIENTATIONS The horizontal red to blue spectrums represent the orientation of one’s The horizontal red to blue spectrums represent the orientation of one’s romantic or sexual desire. The vertical gray aro and ace spectrums romantic or sexual desire. The vertical gray aro and ace spectrums represent the intensity of one’s attraction toward that orientation. represent the intensity of one’s attraction toward that orientation. Although romantic orientation and sexual orientation might often Although romantic orientation and sexual orientation might often correlate, they do not necessarily align. For example, a person might correlate, they do not necessarily align. For example, a person might identify as heteroromantic but bisexual. Plot yourself on each grid. identify as heteroromantic but bisexual. Plot yourself on each grid. ROMANTIC ORIENTATION SPECTRUM ROMANTIC ORIENTATION SPECTRUM HETERO- BI OR PAN HOMO- ARO HETERO- BI OR PAN HOMO- ARO ROMANTIC ROMANTIC ROMANTIC SPECTRUM ROMANTIC ROMANTIC ROMANTIC SPECTRUM ROMANTIC ROMANTIC DEMI- DEMI- ROMANTIC ROMANTIC GRAY-A GRAY-A AROMANTIC AROMANTIC SEXUAL ORIENTATION SPECTRUM SEXUAL ORIENTATION SPECTRUM ACE ACE HETERO- BI OR PAN HOMO- HETERO- BI OR PAN HOMO- SEXUAL SEXUAL SEXUAL* SPECTRUM SEXUAL SEXUAL SEXUAL* SPECTRUM SEXUAL SEXUAL DEMI- DEMI- SEXUAL SEXUAL GRAY-A GRAY-A ASEXUAL ASEXUAL *“Homosexual” is useful when learning aro/ace spectrums, however most gay *“Homosexual” is useful when learning aro/ace spectrums, however most gay and lesbian people do not use it as an identifying term and find it offensive. and lesbian people do not use it as an identifying term and find it offensive..