Aces Westchester, an Asexual Discussion and Activity Group, is an open topic group run by a trained facilitator. The group is open to all who identify as Asexual or Aromantic or Aspec.
Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, this group will be meeting virtually until further notice. (Click here to learn more)
________________________________________
When: The 2nd Saturday of each month from 11:30am to 12:30pm.
Call The LOFT's Helpline at (914) 948-2932 x13 if you have any questions about the group!
________________________________________
Asexual Definition:
An asexual is: “someone who does not experience sexual attraction.” Asexuality.org also notes, "Asexuals may regard other people as aesthetically attractive without feeling sexual attraction to them. Some asexual people also experience the desire of being affectionate to other people without it being sexual."
"Asexuality is not the same as celibacy. While celibacy is a choice to abstain from sexual activity, asexuality is a sexual orientation, or an intrinsic part of an asexual person’s identity"
________________________________________
Asexual Resources:
- Asexual Awareness Week
- "Asexuality 101" (YouTube video)
- Asexuality 101 pdf
- Asexual Groups – World List
- Intro to Asexuality
- "A comic that debunks myths about asexuality"
- Five Signs You Are Asexual
- Five Signs You Might Be Asexual
- What Is Asexuality?
- "The Amazing Aces: A Talk on Asexuality | Danika Vrtar"
- The Invisible Orientation
- Asexuality: A Brief Introduction PDF (Asexuality Archive)
- Discussing TV & Film Representation
- Asexuality and Sex
- Larger ace resource list
- "10 Things You Should Never Tell An Asexual"
Grey-Ace Definition:
Grey Ace (also called greysexual or grey asexuality) is feeling little to no sexual attraction. This includes a desire not strong enough to act upon, felting desire that doesn't last, infrequent sexual desire, a very low sex drive, and "people who can enjoy and desire sex... but under very limited and specific circumstances" (GLAAD).
________________________________________Grey-Ace Resources:
- Common grey-ace questions
- FAQs
- More FAQs
- defintion and history
- "5 Signs That You Might Be Greysexual"
Allosexual Definition:
An allosexual (sometimes shortened to allo) person is someone who "experiences sexual attraction, regardless of sexuality" (Warwick Pride). This is the opposite of being ace.
Aromantic Definition:
"Aromanticism is a romantic orientation, which describes people whose experience of romance is disconnected from normative societal expectations, often due to experiencing little to no romantic attraction, or sometimes feeling repulsed by romance or being uninterested in romantic relationships" (arospecweek).
Remember that not every aromantic person is also ace. Meaning it's possible to be aro and allosexual or be aro and be in sexual relationships. You can be on the aspec spectrum while being allo.
________________________________________Aromantic Resources:
Grey-Romantic Definition:
"...A romantic orientation on the aromantic spectrum which describes those who relate with aromanticism, yet feel that there are parts of their experience that aren't fully described by the word aromantic. Greyromantic can be used as a specific identity, or as an umbrella term for any aro-spec identity that isn't purely aromantic, including demiromantic and others" (Aromantics Wiki).
"A common reason someone may identify as greyromantic is that they experience romantic attraction but very infrequently. Some greyromantic individuals may only feel romantic attraction once or twice in their life. Others may experience it more frequently, but still not as frequently or intensely as alloromantic individuals" (Aromantics Wiki).
Aromantic Asexual or AroAce Definition:
A person who is both aromantic and asexual or somewhere on both spectrums.
________________________________________
AroAce Resources:
Cupiosexual Definition:
"Cupiosexual is defined as someone who does not experience sexual attraction but still desires/likes a sexual relationship. Cupiosexuals are commonly sex-favorable but they do not have to be. Cupiosexual may also beused by individuals who sometimes feel sexual attraction but desire a sexual relationship even without attraction" (Asexuals Wiki).
________________________________________
Cupiosexual Resources:
Cupioromantic Defintion:
"Cupioromantic is the feeling of wanting a romantic relationship but not being able to have romantic attraction towards others" (Aromantics Wiki).
Demisexual Definition:
"Demisexuality is a sexual orientation in which someone feels sexual attraction only to people with whom they have an emotional bond. Most demisexuals feel sexual attraction rarely compared to the general population, and some have little to no interest in sexual activity" (Demisexuality Resource Center).
________________________________________
Demisexual Resources:
- "Here Are 7 Signs You Might Be Demisexual"
- FAQs
- "Coming Out As Demisexual"
- info for partners of demisexual people
- "Am I Demisexual If…"
Queer Platonic Definition:
"Queerplatonic relationships [are] a close non-sexual, non-romantic relationship that is beyond what most would consider to be a friendship. It consists of emotional commitment and prioritization that is typically seen in a romantic relationship. People in queerplatonic relationships may be of any gender or sexual identity" (LGBTQIA+ Wiki). This term is often used in the aspec community.
________________________________________
Queer Platonic Resources:
Aspec or a-spec defintion:
Aspec is "an umbrella term for anyone who identifies on the asexual and/or aromantic spectrum" (Warwick Pride).
Stories from Aspec people:
- "Sriti Jha Narrates What Being An Asexual Is Like"
- "8 Reasons Why I Love Being Aromantic"
- "As an asexual woman, finding my place in the queer community wasn't as simple as it sounds"
- "Asexual people speak out | DW Documentary"
- "What You Love About Being Ace"
- "Things Asexual People REALLY Wish You Knew"
- "Signs You Might Be Aro | Our Aro Experiences"
- "7 things people on the ace spectrum need you to know"
- 5 Asexual People Explain What "Asexual" Means To Them
- I Am Ace: Advice on Living Your Best Asexual Life
Aspec Resources:
- definitions and FAQs
- definitions, support, facts, and more!
- FAQs
- More FAQs answered
- Even more FAQs
- 14 Asexual Spectrum Identities | Different Ways to Be Ace
- Asexual Outreach
- Aces & Aros.org
LOFT Peer Support Groups are open topic, drop-in groups. Groups are led by facilitators who identify as peers with those in attendance. There is no need to preregister and no fee to attend.
Donations are welcome. Suggested donation is $5; more if you can, less if you can't. Fees related to activities are the responsibility of participants.