Meaning of Asexual
Asexual refers to a person who does not experience sexual attraction toward others
. This means they typically do not have the desire to engage in sexual activity with other people, although some asexual individuals might still participate in sexual behavior for various reasons, such as wanting to please a partner or to have children
. Asexuality is considered a sexual orientation, not a choice or a temporary state. It is distinct from celibacy or abstinence, which are choices to refrain from sex, often for personal, religious, or social reasons, regardless of sexual attraction
. Asexuality exists on a spectrum:
- Some asexual people feel no sexual attraction at all.
- Others may experience limited or rare sexual attraction (sometimes called gray-asexual or graysexual).
- Some only feel sexual attraction after forming a strong emotional bond (known as demisexuality)
Asexual people may still experience other forms of attraction, such as romantic, aesthetic, or emotional attraction, and can have meaningful relationships
. In summary:
Asexual means not experiencing sexual attraction to others, and it is a valid
sexual orientation that exists on a spectrum