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One of the things asexuality has in common with bisexuality and homosexuality (besides inherently not adhering to heteronormativity) is that our identities and existence have historically/currently been medicalized.
We all used to (and still sort of are for asexuality) be included in DSM and our identities were/are considered a mental problem that needed to be “fixed”
I don’t see this often discussed, but yes, access to medical treatment (especially mental health treatment) is an issue for the asexual community. Not so much denial of treatment but attempts to “fix” our sexual orientation.
I have heard so many horror stories about mental health professionals trying to treat their patients’ asexuality.
A lot of ace people are worried about this and may not go to therapy because of it or have trouble finding a therapist who won’t try to “treat” their asexuality
A lot of ace people are worried about this and may not go to therapy because of it or have trouble finding a therapist who won’t try to “treat” their asexuality
I view this as a form of conversion therapy, AKA viewing non-heterosexuality as a problem and trying to “fix” the person into being heterosexual.
I think it tends to be more in a secular/medical context for aces than a religious one, although there are aces who experience that
I think it tends to be more in a secular/medical context for aces than a religious one, although there are aces who experience that
Side note: Asexual people can have romantic orientations and can identify as both asexual and gay.
For example I am both asexual and a lesbian.
For example I am both asexual and a lesbian.
Very good point from @quartzen. https://twitter.com/quartzen/status/1271974168335200256?s=21
Sometimes it’s not about trying to make us straight but instead trying to make us fit the therapist’s understanding of what our sexuality SHOULD be. Which gets into ideas of sexuality as a binary, where people say you can only be gay or straight (bi people face this too)
I have always lived in large urban areas. I’ve never been worried about a therapist treating my lesbian identity as a problem. I have worried about finding an ace friendly therapist.
Some ace people have already started quote tweeting this with their experiences. There are so many stories like this.
I’ve been lucky. When I came out to my therapist she didn’t know what asexuality was, but she believed me and didn’t try to fix my sexual orientation.
Even when I moved cities, I did Skype appointments with her because I didn’t know if I could get lucky like that again.
Even when I moved cities, I did Skype appointments with her because I didn’t know if I could get lucky like that again.
Homosexuality and bisexuality were historically medicalized too, although that’s overall changed for the better.
The World Health organization stopped classifying homosexuality in 1992. It was removed from the DSM in the 80s. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/hide-and-seek/201509/when-homosexuality-stopped-being-mental-disorder%3famp
The World Health organization stopped classifying homosexuality in 1992. It was removed from the DSM in the 80s. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/hide-and-seek/201509/when-homosexuality-stopped-being-mental-disorder%3famp
The medicalization of asexuality is seeing a similar trajectory, but on a later timeline.
Asexuality was partially removed from the DSM in 2015 with the note that if a patient self identifies as asexual, lack of sexual attraction/desire should not be treated. https://www.asexualityarchive.com/asexuality-in-the-dsm-5/
I’m hopeful that over time asexuality will continue to be de medicalized and that I won’t face suggestions that I go see a doctor (yes, I’ve experienced this).
But in the present day, if you’re asking “why would an asexual person have trouble with medical services?”, well *gestures at the entire thread.*
And final note, asexuality often overlaps with other identities. So for instance a non-binary ace will face both transphobia and aphobia as challenges to getting medical/mental health assistance.
