ACE ON ACE Volume 1 Issue 5
ACE ON ACE
A monthly newsletter brought to you by Ace Los Angeles
Vol. 1, Issue 5
Welcome to Ace Los Angeles monthly newsletter! We hope to use this space to keep our followers informed on ace topics in news media and academic journals, spotlight asexual representation, boost projects asking for ace participation, and educate on asexual and aromantic terms.
As of June 2023, Ace LA will alternate between outdoor in-person (weather permitting) and virtual meetups. For in-person meetups and volunteering, you will be asked to mask unless eating or drinking and will be required to sign a waiver stating you understand the risk of exposure, and that you absolve Ace Los Angeles of any liability. Masks are available on request.
Ace LA has social meetings the second Sunday of every month.
1:30pm - New Member Meeting
2pm - General Meeting The next meeting is on September 10th on zoom.
Ace LA’s Business meetings are online, the first Tuesday* of every month. 7:00pm - Business Meeting The next meeting is on Septmeber 5th.
*Previously on the first Monday of the month.
All meetings are open.
Our Ears Are Burning!
This section is where we link you to articles and studies on asexuality and aromantisim.
An Academic Look at Asexual Oppression - A collection of academic research and studies on Asexuality.
“My Gender is Like an Empty Lot”: Gender Detachment and Ungendering Among Asexual Individuals - Canton Winer’s study introducing the concept of gender detachment and its intersection with asexuality.
Asexuality is the “hot new thing” thanks to this trailblazing podcaster - LGBTQ Nation interviews Aline Laurent-Mayard on their podcast, responses, and compulsive sexuality.
Asexual Dilemma of Love and Romance - Outlook interviews several Indian Asexuals on their experiences.
The Most Baffling Interview - Kat Blaque dissects Yasmin Benoit interview with News Max and the motivation behind some anti-queer rhetoric in this video essay.
The Abundance of a Mixed, Asexual Life! - 3 mixed-Asian asexuals talk about identity, intersections, and self-affirmation.
Tell Me a Story...
In this section we will spotlight an asexual or aromantic character in media and media related news.
Isaac Henderson was introduced as a secondary character in the first season of popular Netflix series Heartstopper, as a new addition not featured in the original webcomic. A avid bookworm and quiet friend, Isaac is fairly unexplored as a character until season 2, which premiered earlier this month. As all of his friends and peers settle into and explore romance, Isaac is apparently disconnected from this trend. His growing distress at his isolation and attempt at romance are subtle but significant parts of the season. Isaac was confirmed as asexual and aromantic.
Heartstopper S2 (Mostly) Aces It
Heartstopper creator Alice Oseman opens up about season 2
Barbie has become an asexual icon, and we should all learn from her - An exploration of the Barbie movie with an asexual reading.
Jessica Rabbit: Femme Fatale or Asexual Icon? - For their 100th podcast episode, The Ace Couple delves into the common asexual fan theory of Jessica Rabbit.
The Lack of Asexual Characters in Pop Culture Is a Product of the Male Gaze - A critical perspective on ace representation.
An Ace Perspective on Sexless Hollywood - Adamsplitters takes a look at the debate on sex scenes in media.
The Erotics of Asexuality - Autostraddle reviews and analyzes Ela Przybylo’s book: Asexual Erotics: Intimate Readings of Compulsive Sexuality.
In Our Own Words:
This section is where we will feature personal essays, reflections, and stories.
Present Standards of Dating and Loving are Restricted - A reflection on life as an intersex asexual polyamorous person and existence beyond romantic and sexual labels.
As an asexual person, am I queer enough? - An exploration of asexuality and the queer community.
Being Aromantic in Romantic Relationships - Navigating relationships, intimacy, and desire as an aroflux person.
What It’s Like to Be Asexual in a World That’s Obsessed with Sex - 5 people discuss their asexuality and people’s responses to it.
Lou is Asexual: “I suddenly realized: I will never experience this like others” - A dutch interview on the struggles of growing up asexual and unaware.
How Coming Out as Asexual Mad Me a More Joyful, Autonomous Person - A brief account of finding freedom and joy in asexual identity/experience.
The imposition of sexuality on the Black body - Black female sexuality and the potential for liberation in asexuality.
The More You Know
In this section we will provide links to articles and resources designed to educate and inform on asexuality and aromanticism.
Intromore.com offers introductory articles: What Does It Mean to be Abrosexual? and What Does It Mean to Be Demiromantic?
If You Find Yourself Mostly Attracted to Strangers, You Could Be This - The Huffington Post explains fraysexuality.
What It’s Like Being in a Queerplatonic Relationship, According to Experts - Hear from three queer people about being in QPR’s.
Exploring Aromantic Identity: How to Recognize if You Are Aromantic? - A exploration of aromantic identity and experiance.
We Want You!
This section is for informing you of requests for participation of aces and aros by other organizations, including studies, surveys, archive efforts, media projects, interviews, and policy / community feedback.
fluentlyaspec has created Aspec Cafe a discord server for ace, aro, and agender spectrum people to socialize.
Aromanticism and Autism is seeking autistic aromantic people for this informal survey on the potential connection between aro and autisitc identities.
What’s the Word?
This last section is dedicated to featuring the definition of a word or phrase to encourage broader understanding and discussion of asexual and aromantic topics.
Our Word of the Month is Amatonornativity:
amatus: loved or beloved; Latin. normativity: referring to societal norms.
The assumption that a central, exclusive, amorous relationship is normal for humans, in that it is a universally shared goal, and that such a relationship is normative, in that it should be aimed at in preference to other relationship types. (Elizabeth Brake, Minimizing Marriage, term origin)
The assumption or insistence that romantic relationships are the norm and should be the ultimate goal in life for everyone, and that these relationships are more intrinsically valuable than other relationships. (Oxford University LGBTQ+ Society)
The set of societal assumptions that everyone prospers with an exclusive romantic relationship. (Wikipedia)
A culturally bound assumption that reflects the idea that in order to enjoy a meaningful and fulfilling life, a person must seek out and be engaged in a romantic relationship. (choosingtherapy.com)
Signing off with a little something on the importance of prioritizing platonic love/relationships
We love to hear from you! Letters to the editor can be sent to asexalitylosangeles@gmail.com