Perspectives on A-Spec Identity
An anthology is my way of bringing together my sub-thoughts into bigger arguments in a more singular, cohesive piece. They are subject to change over time. Links in italics are to posts that I have written.
These are articles that I have written from my perspective of identifying as A-Spec and exploring it through theoretical or practical lenses. I don’t ever want to speak for someone else or erase their own perspective, I just want to offer new/different ways of understanding sexuality and identity.
What is A-Spec?
A-Spec is a term for being on the Asexual (ace-spec) and/or Aromantic (aro-spec) Spectrums. You can identify as A-Spec as an umbrella term, or as someone who identifies themselves as some other identity within the Ace-Spec (e.g. graysexual) or Aro-Spec (e.g. demiromantic).
How can we better understand asexuality and aromanticism?
- Asexuality, Attraction, and Desire: A philosophical account of asexuality and how it relates to sexual attraction and sexual desire.
- Ways of Being A-Spec: Targeted desire and how both components can determine your A-Spec identity.
- Sexual activity inclination spectrum: Developing a more exhaustive taxonomy for an attitude toward engaging in sexual activity.
I think that a lot about A-Spec identity puts us at odds with current social understanding and organization of relationships. While I think that it is certainly possible for us to integrate into existing systems, I also wanted to explore possibilities beyond.
How can A-Spec people organize their lives and relationships beyond romance?
- Non-Romantic Partnership: A look into what RA as CNM might look like implemented, especially as an aromantic person.
- Developing a Non-Hierarchical View of Friendships: Friendships are one of the most important things in our life, and I think that we could all benefit from re-evaluating how we think about them.
- Notes on The Other Significant Others by Rhaina Cohen: My learnings from and critiques of the enlightening book by Rhaina Cohen.
What can we take from A-Spec experience to change social norms?
- Notes on Ace: What Asexuality Reveals About Desire, Society, and the Meaning of Sex by Angela Chen: My learnings from and critiques of the wonderful book by Angela Chen.
- Abolishing Romance: What if romance isn’t the correct frame for organizing our lives and relationships around?
- Reimagining Relationships: How can we de-center romance in our lives and build a new way of thinking about deep connection and relationships?