The Current | Vol. 31 Issue 15

November 17, 2020 | nsucurrent.nova.edu 11 Opinions Ace visibility: What asexuality really is The world of today is practically saturated with sexual imagery, discussions about the ways sex affects society and all types of things that appeal to human sexuality and attraction. Undoubtedly, it is hard for some people to believe that not everybody is interested in sex or feels a sexual attraction. Despite this common idea that sexual desire is a universal human sensation, asexuality exists. Even though there have probably always been people who have felt little or no sexual attraction to others, the concept of asexuality as a sexual orientation is still relatively recent. Asexuality is often confused with celibacy or general discomfort with sex, which it is not. While celibacy is probably a result of a person’s choice because of a specific life circumstance or religion, asexuality is simply a lack of sexual attraction. Even people who are uncomfortable with sex usually still feel some type of sexual attraction despite not wanting to act on that urge. With all of this being said, people that identify as asexual are not interested in sexual relations with anyone. Of course, they may still get into relationships and even marriages, but these bonds are built foundationally on affection and respect as opposed to sexual attraction. This stigma has caused asexual people to be constantly faced with intrusive questions about their “sexual abstinence.” Some people even go as far as suggesting that asexual people are going through a “phase” and may later identify as a different orientation or that they became asexual as a result of trauma. Many asexual people don’t actually begin identifying as asexual until they’ve already partaken in sexual experiences. They often feel that they haven’t yet learned to consider their own desires because of societal norms. However, this does not mean that asexuality isn’t a valid orientation. Oftentimes, we see that heterosexual people have had to go through their own phases and engage in occasional relationships with various genders to find their true sexual identity, possibly changing their orientation with experience. Because of all the misconceptions surrounding the label, I want to emphasize the importance and respect of asexuality as an orientation. It is not a temporary choice, a mental disorder or a product of sexual trauma. It is a sexual orientation. Just as any person, anywhere on the gender spectrum, doesn’t represent specific “types” of people, asexuality is equal in this sense. They are regular humans with valid feelings. Joe Biden is now the president-elect of the U.S. This country finally has a president that believes in science and equal rights again. However, this is far from over. Just because a Democrat was elected to the most powerful position in this country does not mean that everything is going to get better overnight. We will not wake up on the morning of Jan. 20 to a perfect utopia. We still have to work towards positive change. Trump’s presidency revealed just how deeply the societal ills of this country run. We saw neo-nazis and white supremacists openly spreading hate. We saw the rampant denial of facts and science. We saw widespread misinformation campaigns. Electing Biden does not fix these problems, but it is a step in the right direction. Voting Trump out of office does not just make these issues vanish. It just takes them out of the spotlight, but that is how this all got started in the first place. When these groups are enabled to act and think in these ways instead of being educated, their messages of hate just keep spreading and the majority of people just do not realize it. With a Democrat in the executive branch, we can start working to fix what Trump brought to the surface. Once again we have a president that believes in science. We have a president that realizes that climate change is a major issue and not just claims that COVID-19 is a “Chinese hoax.” Now, we have a president with an actual plan for dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic Now is not the time for complacency instead of letting it figure itself out. People around the world have said that they feel safer with a Biden administration, but right now, I’m not too sure about that. In the long run, yes, but not now. Far-right groups have made threats of mass murder and violence. We cannot give those groups a foothold today or any day. These groups use the door-in-the-face phenomenon, referring to starting a decision with a ridiculous request, being rejected and coming back with a smaller request that still benefits them and it ends up being accepted, frequently as a way of gaining ground. Over time, they are able to take that inch and turn it into a mile. That’s how fascist groups rise to power, and we saw it in 2016. As Trump’s presidency went on, there was a rise in hate crimes and discrimination, to the point that several anti-discrimination laws were repealed. This cannot continue if we want to see a more progressive era. I have no problem fighting for my rights and the rights of others, but I will not consider your opinion if it is that someone is inherently below you. I cannot even count how many times I have heard the phrase, “So much for the tolerant left,” but what am I not being tolerant of? Racism? Misogyny? Homophobia? You are right. I do not tolerate intolerance and hate. To do so is to enable those beliefs and we have seen what happens will you give those groups leeway. By: Isabella Gómez Contributing Writer PHOTO PRINTED PERMISSION BY F. SHABNA Kill the sigma! Asexuality isn’t all about sex. By: Alexander Martinie Opinions Editor