Virtual Asexual Pride event to take place

Amanda Large, 48, one of the founders of Asexual NI, which currently has 60 members, said: ‘‘Out of all the orientations that are now known asexuality is the one that is still least spoken about even though it is part of the globally accepted acronym LGBTQIA+.

‘‘In Northern Ireland there is virtually no education or information available on it making it the forgotten letter of the acronym.

‘‘With the strides made in recent years for visibility and equality of the LGBT community surprisingly many in the community still shy away from asexuality making it very difficult for both those who identify as, or are confused, about their sexuality to find a safe space and helpful resources.’’

She added: ‘‘Asexuality is a spectrum also often called ACE. To be asexual does not mean that you have never had a sexual experience,

‘‘Many of those in the older group have spend lifetimes trying to understand what is wrong, gone through marriage and divorce and indeed have children. They are many different types of asexuality from those who have never been sexually active to those who identify as demi-sexual but all Ace’s have in common that they do not feel attraction to the physical body in the same way either straight or gay people do.

‘‘Asexuality is not being celibate or picky, it is not a choice, it’s an orientation. In the same way as the average person may find it hard to understand how one can never desire sex, someone who is asexual may have the same difficulty in understanding how sex is desirable.’’

Amanda said many people in their 30s and 40s are only coming out as asexual now after ‘‘regretting a lot of choices they made due to their misunderstanding of their orientation.’’

‘‘Young people with peer pressure and social media trolling are finding it difficult due to fear of mockery or judgement for not being sexually active

Asexuals are subject to being told over and over that they just haven’t met the right person, that they have issues with relationships, asked if they were abused etc - for them it can be likened to conversion therapy- imagine telling someone who comes forward as gay, lesbian or trans these things’’.

She added: ‘‘There is not usually a big if any presence of the asexual community in Pride parades hence this year Irish asexual activist Jaymie O’Leary Doyle has decided to set up Asexual Pride with a view to giving those in the Ace community a voice.’’

Due to Covid 19 Asexual Pride will be virtual this year, but the group hope to build on it in the future.

For more information visit Asexual NI’s Facebook group.