[Image Description: A preview of a pamphlet entitled “Asexuality and the Ace Spectrum&rd
[Image Description: A preview of a pamphlet entitled “Asexuality and the Ace Spectrum” with the front and back laid out side-by-side. There are sections entitled “Who is this pamphlet for?” and “What if I don’t understand something?” and helpful resources on the left page and sections titled “Asexuality Terms,” “Being Ace,” and “Understanding Ace” on the right. The smaller text is too blurry to read. The entire pamphlet has a purple and gray color scheme.]Asexuality and the Ace Spectrum version 1.1This pamphlet focuses on ace identity, as well as identities related to asexuality such as gray-asexuality and demisexuality. As always, the pamphlet is 100% free to download and use.In this pamphlet, you can find: terms and definitions relating to the ace spectrum, ace positivity, an explanation about ace people for those who don’t understand them, and resources for and about ace individuals.Updates: Formatting change, minor text fixes / editsClick here to download pamphlet files!The original Publisher files may be requested through our ask box for modification. If you download, please reblog!The text can be read below the readmore, formatted in the intended reading order. Front PanelAsexuality and the Ace Spectrum, A Condensed GuideProduced by Queer Condensed, queercondensed.tumblr.comVersion 1.1Inside FlapWho Is This Pamphlet For?Anyone who could find it useful. Maybe you’re trying to find a word to describe yourself. Perhaps a friend or a loved one gave this to you for a better understanding of asexuality and the asexual spectrum. No matter your reason for reading this, it’s made for you.What If I Don’t Understand Something?We, as the Queer Condensed team, strive to make our pamphlets as accessible as possible, and we include resources on the back panel of each pamphlet. However, we cannot cover everything in a handout. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help through our provided resources or another trusted source, like LGBT centers or knowledgeable individuals who are okay with answering questions.Rightmost Interior: Asexuality TermsAsexuality is an identity that indicates a lack of sexual attraction towards others. Not always a lack of a sex drive, or a lack of a want to have sex, but those things often come with asexuality as well.Along with this, there’s the idea of the “asexuality spectrum,” or a range of other identities that are similar to asexuality. Some of those are included in this list of ace-related terms.Ace:A shorthand for “asexual”Gray-asexual:An ace-spectrum identity; someone who feels sexual attraction, but infrequently or for unknown causesDemiasexual/Demisexual:An ace-spectrum identity; someone who needs specific romantic or personal criteria met before feeling sexual attraction towards someoneSex-Repulsed/Adverse*:Someone who finds the idea of sex personally disgusting or unappealingSex-Indifferent*:Someone who doesn’t really care about sexRomantic orientation:How someone identifies in relation to who they’re attracted to romantically; different from sexual orientation*These terms aren’t limited to ace peopleMiddle Interior: Being AceAsexuals and those in the asexuality spectrum (who will now be collectively called “aces” or “ace people”) are often forgotten about in society and even in LGBT communities, but they’re absolutely important and deserve to be listened to.It can be hard to identify as ace in a society that focuses so much on sexuality and sex. Some are afraid that people will not love or accept them because of their identity. Others don’t feel “whole” as a person because of their lack of sexual attraction. This is wrong. Ace people are loved, feel love of many kinds, and generally live their lives exactly the same as everyone else. They just view sex in a different, often less important way than non-asexuals.Identities are personal, and unique to each ace person. Some have sex, some don’t, and for different reasons. Some are open and proud of their identity, and for some it’s just a personal trivia fact. There’s no “right way” to be ace.A Note on Talking About or To Ace PeopleRemember that ace people are the judges of their own identity. Do not assume or say that an ace person will find the “right person” some day and stop being ace. This implies that the ace person is just going through a phase or can’t figure out their own attraction.Rightmost Interior: Understanding AceNon-ace people often question or ridicule ace identities because of a lack of understanding. Some can’t “get” them, or think they need to be “fixed.” These ideas often come from a belief that sex is vital to human beings and our society, when it’s not. Since not all people are sexually attracted to everyone, how hard is it to think of someone who’s not attracted to anyone? If it doesn’t bother the person who is ace, it should be of no concern to anyone else.Another false idea is that ace people can’t feel love. Many ace people feel romantic attraction towards others, and romantic orientation has just as many possibilities as sexual orientation, including homoromantic, heteroromantic, biromantic, and more. Believe it or not, relationships don’t require sexual attraction to be healthy and happy. Additionally, there are so many kinds of love that aren’t romantic, like parental love and platonic love. Just because ace people have a different sense of sexual attraction doesn't mean they’re incapable of feeling.Back Panel: Helpful ResourcesAce TerminologyWhatisasexuality.com/outreach/glossary/General InformationAsexualityarchive.comAVENAsexuality.org/homeLargest online asexual community, includes other resources on asexualityOnline CommunityApositive.orgAcademiaAsexualexplorations.netA more academic approach to asexual identity and the ace spectrumUPDATE NOTE: This website has been suspended and cannot be accessedPublished on October 23rd, 2016 -- source link
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