Asexuality: Lisa Zhang at TEDxGunnHighSchool

Lisa Zhang, a senior at Gunn High School, is an extremely talented artist in the Gunn art department as well as the co-president of the Gunn cartoon club. Zhang aspires to expose the topic of asexuality to the Gunn community, in order to promote a more open-minded student body on the issue of sexuality.
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[@minimouse2105]

Although I'm asexual, I wouldn't consider myself aromaintic (lacking romantic attraction as well as sexual). I love intimacy up to a point with the opposite sex. I have romantic and sensual attraction, but lack sexual attraction. I still have crushes, I still love, I still care. I am a heteromantic asexual and I am human.

[@janeensmith2382]

lexiconartist agree with you I to have sensual and romantic attraction I'm a BiRomantic Ace and didn't like how she pushes romance to the side as if all asexuals are Aromantic we are not!

[@mastermeatloaf3883]

lexiconartist ew

[@billson6598]

Am heteromantic ace from Africa

[@teamcynda6202]

I am an aromantic asexual.

[@honeyalba880]

same

[@therealzilch]

Why should asexuality be an issue? People should be respected for what they are.

[@KaoruTheMMDer]

I think it's because, as the speaker says, sexual attraction is one of the core functions of most species, the desire to bring your genes further and repopulate. To not want that seems strange and probably scary to some people, abnormal and weird. Sadly, there are many people who feel like anything that isn't their version of normality is so god-forsaken and wrong that it shouldn't exist. I went to a school full of those people when I figured out that I was asexual. Go figure.

[@LyaksandraB]

+Scott Wallace You are confusing the two things. Hell, you are seeing it completely wrong. For something to be respected in needs to be seen as it is, not ignored. It may not be an issue, per se, but it is abnormal. No matter what people might tell you, there's such a thing as normalcy. We have come a long way since the caves, so abstaining from throwing abnormal people off a cliff should be a given, but reality should be accepted and faced. I am not asexual, but I sure as hell ain't normal in many other aspects, and I accept that fact. How are people so unable to accept anything nowadays? This megasensitive, pandering, catering society is a shithole to me. I guess I need to make a talk about it, because I feel isolated amongst all these whiners. I wonder if non-whiners are a minority.

[@therealzilch]

Lyaksandra B All I said was that everyone should be respected. There's a difference between explaining differences and attacking people for being "abnormal", and that's what's happening here. Talking about being considered "abnormal" is not "whining".

[@elinathan8363]

i needed this so much today, i heard someone say "sex is human nature, those saying they don't want it are trying to be arrogant" I was kind of done. I am asexual and aromantic. My parents, don't get this so it is just awkward when they ask me if I have a boy/girlfriend yet.

[@teamcynda6202]

I'm an aromantic asexual and my parents are always pressuring me to feel attracted to any gender and it really weirds me out.

[@hocly22]

She completely failed to distinguish romantic interest and sexual interest.... this is the single most important distinction to make for people to better understand asexuality

[@jdaniels1971]

Hoc Ly I see that this is a very important subject to you. At no point did she even imply that asexuality also means aromantic. However, the point of her talk was not to fully define it in terms that all people will agree with, so she didn't cover lots of important facts that are useful in understanding asexuality. Her talk, instead, focused on the stigma's associated with it, acceptance, and some of the backward thinking still prevalent, even in DSM. She gave a great example of how homosexuality, is no longer a diagnosis in the DSM. She also called out how the LGBT community, a community that has had its share of hate sent its way, is not particularly welcoming toward asexuals. Oh, and let's also consider that this is a highschool student doing a TED-worthy talk. I think she did a great job.

[@hocly22]

Jason Daniels like i said tho, everything elese she said was good, its just that the distinction between romantic attraction and sexual attraction is so easy to mention/explain yet it completely redefines what it means to be "attracted" to someone, an important idea to raise in any half decent talks about asexuality. Still, kudos to her

[@minimouse2105]

I'm soooo giddy that there's finally an Asexuailty TED talk! I identify as Asexual, and have a whole folder of links I use to explain Asexuality to others who've never heard of it or just don't understand.

[@kadenlogghe752]

lexiconartist there are two other ace ted talks that are in my explain folder to. One is by David jay and another by a panro girl. Definitely check them out.

[@yama123numbercauseytdemand4]

In the hope that you still uses this account and may see my answer: May I ask for some link suggestions? I am not sure yet, but I think I might be asexual. So I would love some material to read up on this topic. Thank you very much.

[@queenrebekah5903]

I don't understand how people think sexuality is what makes a person human, and that anybody who is asexual is practically an animal. It's like, do you know nothing about biology? Mating pretty much the main part of most animals' lives.

[@Tijopi11]

It was a good point on how often sexual relationships are associated with the level of humanity in individuals. I think sexuality in general is largely misrepresented in media as a whole

[@laurenbarto269]

I'm a little sad nothing was pointed out about romantic attraction, this mainly focused on the sexual part. But it still covered some good points!

[@AsexualiseMyAsexualLife]

A lot of information about asexuality covered - Good job for getting the word out there. I am a heteroromantic ace.

[@azumarill964]

Haven’t I seen you in another TED?

[@AsexualiseMyAsexualLife]

@@azumarill964 I wish, I auditioned but didn't make the final cut. But I was a speaker at the UK Asexuality Conference in July, London, 2018. So maybe that is where you saw me? I have been helping asexuals for 5 years now. I have been on Radio talking about asexuality too and in various articles. I do a live chat show on my channel.

[@azumarill964]

​@@AsexualiseMyAsexualLife Congrats, but I was actually talking about a comment section in another ace TED, I think you joined the virtual ace group hug with me.

[@AsexualiseMyAsexualLife]

@@azumarill964 oh yeah I did, that’s absolutely correct. I like to watch other shows and talks about Asexuality and meet other Asexuals in other communities. It was nice to have a virtual hug. lovely to meet you here too.

[@azumarill964]

@@AsexualiseMyAsexualLife It was nice, you are doing a great job by helping other aces.

[@Coal_minerals]

Come out as asexual has just made me feel more broken then when I did before, my friends believe it’s just extreme abstinence my mother thinks I’m lying,

[@mylife-23]

I'm asexual to. Stay proud n don't let others get u down.

[@azumarill964]

My friends who know have been really tolerant with this, they are just like, ok, and it doesn’t change a thing between us. When I came out to my dad he told me he didn’t believe in asexuality, I changed his mind, but he still says I am either straight, or too young to tell. I really love my dad, but it is a shame that random people in KZbin have helped me more than him.

[@winksoy]

Thank God I finally know what I am, and that I'm not crazy.

[@seraphjohanson3402]

Biromantic ace here. It’s so depressing how little information is out there. Edit: oh GOD thank you for mentioning corrective r*pe. Most of the aces I know, myself included, are survivors. This is huge, huge problem, and a major reason why I get so incensed when the LGBTQ+ community claims asexuals face no persecution or discrimination.

[@knockdownwheel542]

Heteroromantic Ace here - ❤ to all misunderstood Aces

[@bagel2000]

I’ve seen maybe one thing that has an ace as the main character, and actively come out as that, and it was in a Wattpad story.

[@schneidermartin9673]

Nikola Tesla was asexual , Immanuel Kant, Newton and many other great thinkers.

[@LiiiiiiMa]

this is a great talk! it makes me so sad to hear how even in the LGBT+ community itself there is so much ace/arophobia ..

[@salahawti9015]

An excellent speech! Well done Lisa!!!

[@clairehaney502]

Absolutely lovely job! Touched on so many important things, while making sure the audience understood everything and enjoyed themselves. I feel so bubbly seeing another person who is ace and not afraid. Wonderful! 💜💜💜💜

[@bubbleiciousdamn3008]

I can't believe that high school is called gunn high school, that's a bad omen!

[@bunchabears]

WOO YEAH LISA YOU GO BUDDY

[@GutsAndGall]

I couldn't get past the reading off the phone. Surely there is a better way?

[@drlawitts]

One of the side-effects of asexuality is an inability to memorize a 10-minute talk

[@polyamorylesbianstyle6464]

MindOfHerOwn she is young...I think they are at a high school..She is learning is how I took it..

[@im19ice3]

important points being made! having the a for ally in my opinion contradicts the whole point of our acronym, being an ally doesnt make one as much of an outsider as the very nature of us gays does

[@tradingTwelve]

Stay human

[@shawnr8425]

Bravo!!

[@anelisewilson]

Congrats for presentation!!!

[@wingedhybrid16]

Represent :)

[@nazreenmohammed8735]

There are alot of asexual women. Where are the men. I am both celibacy and asexual and 45

[@Tyler_Stevenson]

I'm asexual and I'm male. 29.

[@leafychild5179]

Hello fellow aces!

[@ethanchadwick4774]

Biro ace man here

[@azumarill964]

Both ace and celibate here, male, 16 years old.

[@marilynadams349]

Thought: we have not had enough information in last 70 years. Not enough for parents to make informed consent for care.

[@marilynadams349]

Also Dr’s rush to “ fix “ things. The fix should not cause harm. Only take care in micro surgery to help baby release Urine or feces. It best to let child grow in body skin and use hormone only as needed. Be care ful as some tresties or gonads or ovaries might cause cancer.

[@marilynadams349]

I never had a dr say : anything about this

[@franchiesco]

@Billsf94131 umm google your questions. I'd answer them but your obviously not thinking with the right head

[@sarahwilson4859]

I left out accidentally Men 🙋

[@marilynadams349]

Another thought if child is put up for adoption . There needs to be protection for this children . No to be fixed to early either. I Born in the age of we do not talk about that, generation.

[@FruityHachi]

was annoying how she was constantly reading off of a screen

[@KrishanBorwal]

You can't have my attention if you look at phone and then talk.

[@armandoantoniovaldezrenter68]

"Not everyone needs to feel Love to feel Human" What?? This Talk??? .. Suportive of What???

[@RCrystal34]

Ok but are we not even going to address the huge St. Andrew's Cross in the background 😭 I thought the video was about asexuality and kink because that's definitely a thing that a lot of ppl dont talk about often but exists.

[@Xianne027]

This would have been an excellent presentation if she had actually PRESENTED it rather than just reading it from her phone. Hence the term "TED Talks" not "TED Reads"