Many have not heard about Asexuals!

Let me start by saying... I never thought about Asexual people much until a conversation I had with a woman who told me that she was Asexual. I thought she was just saying  I'm  not her type.... so bug off.... However she liked talking to me so the conversation continued on a variety of subjects..for quit some time.

Asexuality is an orientation in which someone experiences no sexual attraction. Asexuality is often misunderstood by people with other sexual orientations. Here is how to understand them.
 Try and understand the differences.

 1) Note the difference between asexuality and celibacy. Asexuality is not the same thing as celibacy. Celibates are people who have sexual attraction, but refrain from sexual activity, whereas asexuals have no sexual desires with any gender. Not all asexuals are celibate

2) Don't confuse asexuals with homosexuals. Asexuals are not closeted homosexuals. Asexuals have no sexual attraction to their own gender, ruling homosexuality out as an orientation. (Though some will still identify as gay or straight or bisexual or pansexual).

3) Understand that asexuals are not people who have repressed their sexuality. Celibates refrain from having sex until they are married, when asexuals have no sexual thoughts about their spouse even in a strong marriage

4) Don't expect change. Asexuals will not change if they "meet the right person". Asexuals are usually born asexual and will usually be asexual for their entire lives, just like any other sexuality. Implying that they can be "fixed" is very insulting.

5) Understand their motivations. Asexuals are not against having non-sexual relationships. They just don't have the desire to engage in sex. Many asexuals have partners. Some have sex for a variety of reasons, though they are not sexually attracted to their partner.

6) Being asexual does not mean they do not like touch. Just because a person is asexual does not mean that they do not like touch. They just do not have any desire for any kind of sexual touch.

7) Avoid thinking of asexuals as having a disorder. They do not choose to be asexual, but many asexuals are perfectly happy being asexual and feel that there is no need to "cure" asexuality. Being asexual usually changes little about a person's behavior; they may not even seem asexual by all outward appearances.

8) Understand that most asexuals are not asexual because they have been sexually abused. There is no 100% known cause for being asexual.

Sexuality is generally considered an important aspect of selfhood. Therefore, individuals who do not experience sexual attraction, and who embrace an asexual identity, are in a unique position to inform the social construction of sexuality. There is a study that explores the experiences of Asexual individuals utilizing open ended internet survey data from 102 self-identified Asexual people. In this article It is described that  several distinct aspects of Asexual identities: the meanings of sexual, and therefore, Asexual behaviors, essentialist characterizations of Asexuality, and lastly, interest in romance as a distinct dimension of sexuality. These findings have implications not only for Asexual identities, but also for the connections of Asexuality with other marginalized sexualities.

I guess now I know it wasn't my charm or lack of that made her tell me that she was Asexual..... Boy ooh boy, was I relieved once I  read up on the subject.