FEATURES any sexual activities, although there may be psychology community to acknowledge that some abstinent aces. asexuality is just as valid as any other identity, According to the Asexual Visibility and and it’s not part of a mental illness,” Janiec said. Education Network, an organization that has Janiec is hopeful that as time progresses forums for the sexual and asexual communities there will be more people who identify as asexual to discuss and educate about asexuality, there is because more people will know what it means to vast diversity among the asexual community and be asexual. each individual experiences and views attraction, The ace community has seen this relationships, and arousal differently. progression. Twenty years ago, a British study “Every single person who identifies as was done in the 1980s and found that 1 percent asexual has a different experience. There are aces of the world population identified as asexual, who engage in sexual activities and enjoy it and which shed light on the concept of asexuality. have lifelong partners. Then, there are people More people are figuring out that they identify who are averse to it completely. So, it really just on the spectrum due to the education network depends on that ace spectrum,” Janiec said. and other online forums that connect the asexual Asexuality is based on what one feels, community. not what someone does. It is about attraction, In recent years, there has also been a not action. Many aces experience the same cultural increase with asexuality in the media wide range of emotions as anybody else, aces and entertainment industries. In 2014, “Sirens,” just express their emotions through platonic a comedy TV series, had an asexual character. affection. In The CW teen-drama series “Riverdale,” a When it comes to dating, some do it and controversy erupted when a major character, some do not. It all comes down to the ace Jughead Jones, was revealed as asexual. The spectrum and where an individual identifies on asexual community views the cultural increase that spectrum. as necessary gains to improve societal tolerance. Janiec said she does casually date. Her With recognition increasing, asexuality has goal when it comes to dating is simply to just been subject to recent scientific research due to have a good time and to find someone who is the founding of Asexual Visibility and Education accepting and likes her for who she is. She also Network. Back in 2001, 1,500 people joined discussed that she typically does not share that the forum, and 17 years later, that number has she is asexual with a potential partner until the increased to 35,000 registered members. Today, second or third date. The reason behind this is to the network remains an effective safe place for just focus on getting to know someone without anybody and everybody to share and explore having to explain the complexity of asexuality. their identities. “Explaining your identity to someone A forum from the network stated there is you’re dating can get complicated because no one factor that determines if an individual asexuality is one of those identities that is still is asexual. At its core, asexuality is similar to invisible, not a whole lot of people know about any other identity, it is simply a word used by a it,” Janiec said. person to help figure themselves out. There are some people who never come On the Asexual Visibility and Education out to their partners because either it is not an Network’s website, it is stated that if a person issue or they are too ashamed. Janiec said it is finds it comfortable to define themselves as also becoming less of a norm to not share one’s asexual then they should identify as so. Phu asexuality because asexuality is slowing gaining shared advice for those who believe they may more recognition. identify within the ace spectrum. On the other end of spectrum, there are “Do a little bit more research and don’t be those who do not date at all and have no desire afraid to do that, don’t be afraid to really take to engage in any type of romantic relationship, the time to reflect and think and explore yourself which is when one identifies as aromantic. and see where that leads you,” Phu said. “Being aromantic can be defined in a few Hannah Janiec is the co-chair for the LGBTQIA Commission at NAU, April 11. Asexuality exists and is based on a spectrum. ways. One of the ways is that you have no Rye So | The Lumberjack It is the most misunderstood orientation, interest, and you don’t feel feelings of romance, but anyone can identify as asexual. The ace and the other is you prefer the idea of romance it comes to living in a hypersexualized society. Living in a hypersexualized society, spectrum is a vital component for asexual more than actually getting involved in it,” said “When you’re an ace person, there’s a lot of many sexual individuals tend to disregard individuals because there are so many different senior art education major Vivian Phu, who concern in the asexual community that identity asexuality as an orientation because they do types of identities out there. Individuals can fall identifies as asexual and aromantic. is infantilized because our current society says, not fully understand the meaning of it. Because anywhere on that spectrum based on their own According to the Asexual Visibility and ‘You either enjoy sex or you’re a child,’” Janiec asexuality is a rather unknown topic, there unique experiences and preferences. Education Network, being asexual does not said. “So, there are a lot of issues where people are many misconceptions, and many of those “Every experience is different, and no one make one’s life any better or worse. Asexual who identify on the asexual spectrum face issues misconceptions are followed by ignorance and should feel ashamed about their identity,” Janiec individuals just face a different set of challenges where people will disregard their opinions, and can be very offensive. said. than sexual people. This is especially true when it can get very dangerous.” “There has also been some backlash in the APRIL 19, 2018 – APRIL 25, 2018 | THE LUMBERJACK 15.