Asexual identity development and internalisation: a scoping review of quantitative and qualitative evidence

Variations in Sexual Identity Milestones Among Asexual People

There is increasing interest in the interpersonal factors that shape the development of asexual individual's sexual identity, including age, gender, and romantic orientation. In this study, we examined variability in timing and pacing of asexual identity development milestones, with a focus on the diversity present in the asexual population. Among a sample of 317 participants aged 18-59 from three distinct birth cohorts, we measured participants' ages of asexual identity development milestones, including: first awareness of a lack of sexual attraction, first searching for orientation, first discovery of the term asexuality, first self-identification, and first disclosure. Participants from more recent cohorts reported earlier and accelerated pacing of milestones relative to those from middle and older cohorts. Subgroups defined by gender also varied in milestone timing, with cisgender participants experiencing asexual identity development milestones at a later age than gender non-binary cohorts. No significant difference in milestones were found among romantic orientation sub-groups, apart from the timing of identity disclosure. Romantic-identified asexual individuals disclosed their asexual identities much sooner than aromantic-identified asexual individuals following identification as asexual. By comparing differences within subpopulations, the results of this study extend upon our understanding of the various sub-identities that exist within the asexual population and attend to different experiences within the asexual community. This in turn contributes towards our understanding of how asexual people experience interpersonal relationships, their interactions with others, and how they develop a positive sense of identity.

An Intersectional Exploration of Outness, Encountered Discrimination and Violence, and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury among Asexual Youth across Gender Identities

Current research on asexual youth is limited, especially in understanding the impact of their outness and the intersection of sexual orientation with gender minority identities. This study investigates the influence of outness on experiences of harassment, discrimination, violence, and the risk of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) among asexual youth, with a focus on those with transgender and non-binary identities. Data for this study were obtained from the 2021 Ace Community Survey, an international online survey designed to assess the needs and health status of the Ace community, targeting respondents aged 13 and older. The analysis involved a subsample of 5574 respondents aged 13 to 24 (mean age = 19.28), including 2361 cisgender (mean age = 19.65), 1,195 transgender (mean age = 18.80), and 2,018 non-binary individuals (mean age = 19.13). The results revealed that experienceds of sexual violence, verbal aggression, and physical harassment and bullying not only correlated with but also completely mediated the relationship between outness and NSSI. Asexual transgender youth experienced heightened levels of discrimination and NSSI but demonstrated notable resilience against the negative effects of identity disclosure, highlighting complex dynamics of vulnerability and protection within these communities.

The Nuances of Intimacy: Asexual Perspectives and Experiences with Dating and Relationships

Asexuality studies are an emerging field in North America and Europe which lack large-scale, qualitative studies. Much existing research focuses on defining and categorizing asexuality, with researchers calling for more focus on the romantic and sexual relationships of asexual people. Drawing from an online survey with 349 participants, this paper describes the perceptions and experiences that asexual people have with dating and relationships. Participants answered 16 open-ended and 9 close-ended questions. After rounds of coding, three themes were selected for examination. These were dating, romantic and/or sexual relationships, and platonic relationships. These results showcase the challenges asexuals face with dating while also demonstrating how asexual people actively dismantle understandings of romantic, sexual, and platonic relationships through their own experiences and perspectives. Overall, this study provides greater legitimacy to the fluidity of asexuality and asexual relationships.

Beyond sex: A review of recent literature on asexuality

Asexuality has gained increasing attention in academic research and literature over the last two decades. This review discusses findings from 28 relevant studies published in academic journals between January 2020 and July 2022. In this time, academic literature on asexuality has focused primarily on 1) development of asexual identity, 2) sex and romantic relationships for asexual individuals, 3) intersections between asexuality and other aspects of identity, and 4) the need for increased awareness and understanding of asexuality. Future research should expand the scope of asexuality research to include more intersectional perspectives and more experiences of those on the ace spectrum who do not identify as asexual (e.g. graysexual, demisexual).