ACE ON ACE Volume 1 Issue 6
ACE ON ACE
A monthly newsletter brought to you by Ace Los Angeles
Vol. 1, Issue 6
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.
October 22nd-28th is Ace Week, “an annual campaign to raise awareness, build community, and create change around the world” You can find online Ace Week Events here!
Ace LA has social meetings the second Sunday of every month.
1:30pm - New Member Meeting
2pm - General Meeting The next meeting is on October 8th at Grand Park. We’ll be celebrating our 10th anniversary!
Ace LA’s Business meetings are online, the first Wednesday* of every month. 7:00pm - Business Meeting The next meeting is on October 4th.
*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.
Yasmin Benoit on Bi Pride, asexuality, and coming out Yasmin talks DIVA magazine.
Identity Exploration in “How to Be Ace”: Otherness and Self in a Sex-Normative World An academic case study of the graphic novel memoir How to Be Ace.
Theorizing Singlehood The Journal of Family Theory & Review dedicates an issues to papers on singlehood.
Tell Me a Story...
In this section we will spotlight an asexual or aromantic character in media and media related news.
This is the third month in 2023 to see an new ace character premiering on television, with Sarah “O” Owen, a recurring character on the 4th and final season on Sex Education. Introduced as a rival to main character Otis’s unofficial sex therapy practice, O is initially seen as closed off and hostile. As Otis and O’s competition comes to a head, O opens up about her asexuality. This is the second time asexuality has been addressed on Sex Education, in season 2 (2020) Florence is featured in an episode, discovering her asexuality with the help of actual sex-therapist Jean.
Sex Education’s New Asexual Character is a Huge Step Forward For Representation
Yasmin Benoit, who consulted on O’s character, wrote a short thread on some disappointments in the final portrayal.
Aces in Comics Database A searchable data base of asexual characters in comics and graphic novels.
Sucker for Love: Date to Die For makes asexuality the star A review of an upcoming video game with an asexual protagonist.
This “Dad” Has More Than Jokes Take the Last Bite podcast chats with Ace Dad Advice on their book, being a “queer elder”, and their Ace Dad persona.
10 of the Best Asexual and Aromantic Fantasy Books Book Riot offers a short list of recommendations.
Life as an Aromantic Author Kristiana Sfirlea writes about her experiences as an aromantic author.
Is “Aces Wild” the Ace Representation We’ve Been Waiting for? A review of Amanda DeWitt’s novel and its ace representation.
In Our Own Words:
This section is where we will feature personal essays, reflections, and stories.
The Bear Body Can Be an Asexual Body Cody Daigle-Orians writes about the challenges of being ace in the bear subculture.
How I have and enjoy sex without sexual attraction Elle Rose reflects on her relationship with sex and sexual attraction though her life.
Asexuality is So Much More Than “Not Having Sex” Several perspectives on asexual joy.
Gay guys reveal why being in a “queerplatonic” relationship is better than a romantic one Gay men discuss their queer platonic relationships.
The More You Know
In this section we will provide links to articles and resources designed to educate and inform on asexuality and aromanticism.
What Does It Mean to Be Demiromantic? them.us offers a look into the basics of demiromanticism.
What Does It Mean to Be Aromantic? askmen.com gives a introductory view on aromantisim.
Asexuality vs Celibacy aspeculations offers a brief summary of the differences between asexuailty and celibacy.
The History of Asexaulity-It’s Older Than You Think hercampus.com attempts to track the history of asexuality.
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.
The Aro Census 2023 AUREA (Aromantic-Spectrum Union for Recognition, Education, and Advocacy) is seeking participation for a community census on the aromantic-spectrum community. The census is open September 1st-December 31st and is available in several languages.
Researchers at Missouri State University are conducting confidential phone interviews for a study on perception and attitudes about romance, email jaden.batara@gmail.com to schedule an interview.
Psychology Researchers at University College Cork are seeking participants for a survey on asexuality.
Poetry AZE is opening submissions until October 15th for poetry from ace, aro, and agender for publication.
SHEAUXTIME Collective is holding open submissions for poetry and art in connection with their upcoming film on asexuality.
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 Queerplatonic Relationship (QPR):
Umbrella term to indicate that a relationship defies the divide between romantic partnership and "just" friends. Queerplatonic has been used to describe feelings and relationships of either/both a nonromantic or ambiguously-romantic nature, in order to express that they break one or more social norms for relationships. (The Asexual Visibility and Education Network)
A committed non-romantic relationship that departs from what is the subjective cultural norm for a friendship. Levels of intimacy and/or behaviors between the partners involved often don’t fit the conventional standards set by society. (Aromantic-Spectrum Union for Recognition, Education, and Advocacy)
A platonic relationship that transcends a person’s usual boundaries for friendships, or an incredibly strong non-romantic partnership. (Oxford University LGBTQ+ Society)
Committed intimate relationships which are not romantic in nature. They may differ from usual close friendships by having more explicit commitment, validation, status, structure, and norms, similar to a conventional romantic relationship. (Wikipedia)
We love to hear from you! Letters to the editor can be sent to asexalitylosangeles@gmail.com