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BeingAsexuality Asexualand does[[Aromantic|Aromanticism]] not(experiencing mean that one is unablelittle to experienceno [[Romantic Attraction|romantic attraction]].) are not the same thing, as Anan Asexual person can have any romantic orientation and some Asexuals identify with a [[Romantic Orientation|romantic orientation]] to specify who they're interested in romantically, if anyone. They often use prefixes like hetero-, homo-, bi-, pan-, etc. in front of the word romantic to describe who they experience romantic attraction to. For example, a person who is Asexual [[Heteroromantic]] is romantically attracted to people of a different gender, but is not sexually attracted to them. For those who are [[Alloromantic]] and Asexual, they may identify as [[Alloace]]. Some Asexuals are also [[Aromantic]], meaning that they also do not feel romantic attraction. People who are both Asexual and Aromantic may identify as [[Aroace]].
[[File:Ace of spades.png|thumb|181x181px|The ace of spades.|link=Special:FilePath/Ace_of_spades.png]]
In the summer of 2010 AVEN and several other Asexual websites held a contest to design an Asexual flag. The current Asexual flag was designed by the AVEN user Standup and was uploaded on June 30th, 2010.<ref>[https://asexualagenda.wordpress.com/2018/02/21/the-ace-flag-a-history-and-celebration/ The Ace Flag: A History and Celebration]
[[File:Aventriangle.jpg|thumb|125x125px|The AVEN triangle|link=Special:FilePath/Aventriangle.jpg]]
Protected "Asexual": High traffic page: Preventative measure in the wake of the Staff announcement. ([Edit=Allow only administrators] (indefinite) [Move=Allow only administrators] (indefinite)) [cascading]
{{cleanup|add the flags info and symbols + stuff on asexual discrimination and exclusion}}
{{Orientation|image1=[[File:Asexual.png]]|type=[[Amative]], [[Aspec]], [[Acespec|Ace-spec]]|exclusivity=|coined_by=|coining_date=|names=Asexual, Ace}}
'''Asexual''' (often shortened to '''Ace''') is a sexual orientation defined by a lack of [[Sexual Attraction|sexual attraction]], or a lack of desire for sex. Asexual experiences may also include: not wanting to have sex, not being interested in sex, not experiencing a sex drive/libido, or being repulsed by sex. Sexual attraction is defined as the desire to have sex with, or otherwise perform sexual acts with, another specific person. For non-Asexual people ([[Allosexual|Allosexuals]]), sexual attraction is involuntary, and even occurs when someone doesn't know the other person (though one might not act on it). Asexual people do not have an innate desire to have sex with anyone. They might also feel disconnected from the idea of sex.
Asexuality and celibacy/abstinence are different. Those who are abstinent or celibate are not necessarily Asexual; they may still experience sexual attraction but they choose not to act on it, typically for moral or religious reasons. Those who are Asexual are not necessarily sexually abstinent; they may or may not participate in sexual activities. Although some Asexuals do not have sex, there are also many Asexuals who do partake in sexual activities or are in sexual relationships. This could be for many reasons, such as their own pleasure, the pleasure of a partner, or to have children.
Sexual dispositions among Asexual people can vary. Some Asexuals may still have a sex drive despite not feeling sexual attraction to anyone. They may still masturbate, watch porn, or participate in sexual activities. Other Asexuals lack a sex drive, and some may be repulsed by the concept of sex. [[File:Ace Symbol.png|thumb|196x196px|An ace symbol/flag created by user RavenFire803 on June 14 2021]]
Terms like [[Sex-Repulsed]], [[Sex-Averse]], [[Sex-Indifferent]], [[Sex-Favorable]], or [[Sex-Ambivalent]] are commonly used to describe these feelings.<ref>[https://asexualagenda.wordpress.com/2018/09/15/asexuality-as-a-hard-limit-or-the-cat-is-dead/ Asexuality as a hard limit]</ref><ref>[https://asexualagenda.wordpress.com/2016/06/13/20-narratives-of-aces-who-like-sex/ 20 narratives of aces who like sex]</ref>
==Etymology==
The term "Asexual" uses the Latin prefix ''a-'' which means "not" or "a lack of."
==Pronunciation==
[[File:Asexual.ogg]]
==History==
==Gallery==
=== Flags ===
In the summer of 2010 AVEN and several other Asexual websites held a contest to design an Asexual flag. The current Asexual flag was designed by the AVEN user Standup and was uploaded on June 30, 2010.<ref>[https://asexualagenda.wordpress.com/2018/02/21/the-ace-flag-a-history-and-celebration/ The Ace Flag: A History and Celebration]</ref> The gradient of black, grey, and white was based on the AVEN triangle and symbolizes the concept of the [[Acespec|asexual spectrum]]. the black is for asexuals, grey for [[Greysexual|greyasexuals]], [[Demisexual|demisexuals]], and other ace-spec people, and white represents allosexuals. Purple represents the community and was likely chosen because AVEN has a purple color scheme. ▼
▲</ref> The gradient of black, grey, and white was based on the AVEN triangle and symbolizes the concept of the [[Acespec|asexual spectrum]]. the black is for asexuals, grey for [[Greysexual|greyasexuals]], [[Demisexual|demisexuals]], and other ace-spec people, and white represents allosexuals. Purple represents the community and was likely chosen because AVEN has a purple color scheme.
Another asexual flag was coined by [[User:Cryptocrew|Cryptocrew]] at [[User:Hayden000|Hayden000s]] request on January 16th of 2021 and was first published on a post one day later. The shades of grey represent disinterest or disconnect in sexual acts, the shades of purple represents lack of sexual attraction, the grey in the middle represents the greyasexual spectrum, white represents community and peace, the spade represents asexuals in general, while the pink plants growing around the spade represent growing love and acceptance for the community.
Another alternative flag/symbol for Asexuality was created by Fanom user RavenFire803 on June 14, 2021. The design's colors were directly taken from the flag. The purple represents lack of sexual desire, the white represents purity and kindness, the gray represents the in-between area on the spectrum, and the varying shades of each color represents the wide variety of identities asexuality supports. The spade is for Asexuality in general, and the plant designs represents the fact that Asexuals are not "broken", but a natural and beautiful part of life.
<gallery>
Asexual.png|The widely known Asexual flag (Standup, June 2010.)
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Asexual (17).png|Alternate Ace flag (Cockyroaches, December 2018.)
Asexual Symbol-Flag.png|alt=|An alternate Ace symbol/flag (RavenFire803, June 2021.)
</gallery>
===Symbols===
A common Asexual symbol is an ace playing card, due to the fact that Asexual is often shortened to Ace. Generally the Ace of Hearts is used to represent Asexuals who feel romantic attraction. The Ace of Spades can be used to represent Aromantic Asexuals, or is sometimes used as an umbrella symbol for all Asexuals and Ace-spec people. The Ace of Diamonds and the Ace of Clubs are less commonly seen. The Ace of Diamonds is most commonly associated with [[Demisexual|Demisexuals]] and sometimes [[Greysexual|Greyasexuals]] as well. The Ace of Clubs is commonly associated with Greysexuals, but also sometimes is used for people who are [[questioning]] where they fall on the Asexual Spectrum.
Wearing black ring on the middle finger, typically of the right hand, known as an "Ace ring" has become a way to subtly identify the wearer as being Asexual. The origin of the black ring began in a thread from 2005.<ref>[http://wiki.asexuality.org/Black_ring AVENwiki: Black ring]</ref><ref>[https://www.asexuality.org/en/topic/76607-black-rings-and-other-ways-to-show-asexual-pride/ Black rings and other ways to show asexual pride]
</ref> The material and exact design of the ring are not important as long as it is primarily black.
[[File:Dragon Ace.png|thumb|The "dragon asexual" flag, created by FANDOM user [[User:RalseiTheFluffiest|RalseiTheFluffiest]]|link=Special:FilePath/Dragon_Ace.png]]▼
Cake has been an informal symbol of Asexuality since 2004, originating from the AVEN forums cake emote and the joke that Asexuals "prefer eating cake to having sex".<ref>[http://wiki.asexuality.org/Cake AVENwiki: Cake]</ref> Dragons have also been used to symbolise Asexuality, stemming from a joke that "Asexual people are way more interested in dragons than in sex."<ref>https://www.asexuality.org/en/topic/182214-dragons/?do=findComment&comment=1063215480</ref> Asexuals are also associated with plants, since certain plants have the ability to reproduce asexually through mitosis.
An older Asexual symbol is the AVEN triangle, which used a black-to-white gradient to represent the Asexual spectrum, with white representing Allosexuality and black representing Asexuality.<ref>[http://wiki.asexuality.org/AVEN_Triangle AVENwiki: AVEN Triangle]</ref> This gradient is what inspired the white, grey, and black stripes of the Asexual flag.
<gallery>
Ace of Spades.png|alt=|The Ace of Spades
AVEN Triangle.jpg|alt=|The AVEN triangle
▲[[File:Dragon AceAsexual.png|thumbalt=|The "dragon asexual" flag, created by FANDOM user [[User:RalseiTheFluffiest|RalseiTheFluffiest]]|link=Special:FilePath/Dragon_Ace.png]]
</gallery>
==Sources==