I was a panelist at A Room of One’s Own’s book panel for the I AM ACE Panel Discussion. This panel, organized by Caide Jackson, featured Cody Daigle-Orians with their new book I AM ACE, along with fellow ace activists Ashabi Owagboriaye and me. We covered some asexuality-related topics and some content-creation-related topics and then took questions from the crowd. Very well attended and a lovely time. You can watch it on replay.
USA Today published a piece reacting to Paris Hilton describing herself as potentially having been asexual before she got married. The article is called “Paris Hilton thought she was asexual. What we often misunderstand about asexuality.”
This article includes contributions from KJ Cerankowski, me, Catherine Esperanza, and Aubri Lancaster, outlining some misconceptions about asexuality and how trauma and sexual violence are related to the orientation.
I would like to note that one of the quotes from me could, in some interpretations, imply that asexual people who have undergone trauma are not legitimate (because I’m quoted as saying that doesn’t “delegitimize the rest of us”). There is never much space for nuance in these kinds of pieces and that’s not their fault. In my interview I did discuss how important it is to support and make space for asexual people who have a traumatic history and went into detail about the legitimacy of people with that intersection. Anyone, including people with trauma, should be able to access asexuality labels and communities. (As of this writing no one has come out of the woodwork to criticize me for that presentation, but just in case anyone was confused about my position, I do not believe “does not delegitimize the rest of us” is, in isolation, an accurate representation of how I approach this issue.)
I will be making an appearance via Crowdcast at A Room of One’s Own as a panelist with Cody Daigle-Orians and Ashabi Owagboriaye, two other ace activists. Cody’s new book I AM ACE is being celebrated and we will all discuss asexuality, related topics, and activism. We also expect to take questions and comments from participants.
Please join us on March 6, 2023, 7 PM Eastern / 6 PM Central.
You can register here:
The LaSallian, a student publication of De La Salle University-Manila, included some quotes from me and other asexual activists/authors in “A look into the spectrum: Affirming asexual narratives.”
This print article includes contributions from KJ Cerankowski, me, and the pseudonymous Violet, discussing asexual people’s exclusion, representation, conflation with disability, and relationships.
San José State University News interviewed several asexual people (myself included) in an article called “Asexuality deserves recognition; content creators: all sexual identities.”
This print interview discusses asexual people’s experiences coming to an ace identity and how we are getting more visibility. The article is by Amani Hamed. Also interviewed are Cody Daigle-Orians and CJ George.
I was a featured speaker at the “Beyond Awareness: Creating a Space for Asexual and Aromantic People” panel at the University of Massachusetts’ Stonewall Center, sponsored by SpACE+ (the ace-spectrum group at the university). This panel, organized by Genny Beemyn, featured Yasmin Benoit, August Huber, Leon Friedman, and me.
SELF Magazine interviewed several asexual people (myself included) to discuss “10 Facts About Asexuality That Help Dispel Harmful Myths.”
This long-form print interview discusses what misconceptions asexual people face and educates readers on how to avoid them. The article is by Julie Kliegman. Also interviewed are KJ Cerankowski, Angela Chen, Sherronda J. Brown, Ben Kantt, and David Jay.
I was a little disappointed that the article included this mistake about me: “In addition to identifying as asexual, Decker says she’s romantic, and because of this, people mistakenly assume some very hurtful things about why she isn’t in a relationship.” That should say “aromantic.” I didn’t say I’m romantic. Maybe it was autocorrect.
I will be a featured speaker at the upcoming “Beyond Awareness: Creating a Space for Asexual and Aromantic People” panel at the University of Massachusetts’ Stonewall Center, sponsored by SpACE+ (the ace-spectrum group at the university). You can preregister to attend the virtual panel and watch it live: Tuesday, November 9, 2021, at 6 PM Eastern.
It was lovely to be a part of an in-depth article on asexuality and aromanticism over at Geeks OUT.
INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR JULIE SONDRA DECKER
This long-form print interview discusses identity discovery and coming out, the pressures of writing a book, the shifting environment surrounding asexuality’s reception in society and media, the evolution of the ace-spectrum community, and media/upcoming projects.
I was a guest on the podcast Graying Rainbows. Episode 52 discusses asexuality. Ginger Campbell hosted a lovely, sensitive interview with me.
This episode is an interview with Julie Sondra Decker, author of “The Invisible Orientation: An Introduction to Asexuality.” Most people acknowledge that sexual orientations includes homosexuals, bisexuals, and heterosexuals, but there is actually a fourth possibility. A person who identifies as asexual does not feel sexual attraction to anyone. Unfortunately, many assume that this represents a disease when actually it is part of normal human diversity. We discuss what asexuality IS as well as what it is NOT. Asexuality is about attraction NOT behavior.
Our goal is to embrace human diversity and acknowledge that each person’s identity should be respected as equally valid. If the idea of asexuality is new to you, I hope you will listen to this informative interview.
You can listen to the interview on Graying Rainbows’ website or check it out on their YouTube channel.