I Thought I Was Just a Late Bloomer: Exploring Asexual People's Experiences of Identity & Community

Authors

Jessica Walter

Files

Description

While research into asexuality has expanded - albeit slowly - in the last few decades, its focus remains largely on the experiences of white asexual women. To counter that trend and explore how race might influence a person’s experience of asexuality, this case study investigates the experiences of a mixed-race asexual woman. The project was conducted using existing interview data, which was thematically coded into nine categories, covering the participant’s experiences with education, dating, coming out, interactions with strangers, and other life events. The results were counter to expectation at every turn. The entirely separate formation of her racial and sexual identities, their differing salience in her life, and overall positive responses from others regarding her asexuality all set this woman’s experiences apart from prior research. The present study reveals much about the ways racism and classism may influence the life course of an asexual person, and about the ways ‘colorblindness’ in asexuality research is holding back our understanding of this intriguing identity.

Program

Research and Creative Experience for Undergraduates (RCEU)

Department

Sociology

College Name

College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences

Advisor/Mentor

Jennifer Sims

Publication Date

9-1-2023

Document Type

Poster

Keywords

asexuality, identity development, intersectionality, mixed race

Recommended Citation

Walter, Jessica, "I Thought I Was Just a Late Bloomer: Exploring Asexual People's Experiences of Identity & Community" (2023). Summer Community of Scholars Posters (RCEU and HCR Combined Programs). 439.
https://louis.uah.edu/rceu-hcr/439