Ace and Aro Education Part 3

[@ccbeck]

I'm a boring old gay man, but I firmly believe Asexual and Aromantic individuals are part of the LGBTQIA community. Our community is stronger when we are all together.

[@Random-bw2km]

Thank you.

[@simranruparelia8176]

Thank You - I appreciate it @ccbeck

[@Almond.stars666]

@@gmanbaz I think you need to read bible dude

[@owenplourde3934]

GMan Baz well if you were smart you would know it’s the LGBTQ+ community the plus indicates many other sexualities. It stands for the LGBTTQQIAAP community or the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transexual Transgender Questioning Queer Intersexual Asexual Allies Pansexual.

[@pearlescen]

GMan Baz um excuse me I’m a Christian but yet I’m an aromantic asexual. Also you say get a bible and then proceed to curse twice (And it obviously had more than those letters the whole time, it’s LGBTQ+, there’s a plus)

[@Lizzy3D]

Ace people also joke by calling themselves dragons as they feel invisible in the media, therefore a mythical animal

[@starwhale3797]

This is honestly one of my favorite things

[@Sam-mz5gt]

+VioletxPurple And because we and dragons have something in common: AWESOMENESS.

[@katiebolger4705]

like bisexy's are unicorns right?

[@allocis688]

+Katie Bolger Exactly! Also dragons are cool.

[@kamylah8645]

Karma Renée You mean they? I believe you said ace people on tumblr, not all of us are like that.

[@SchatziiiB]

I personally don't care if I'm included in the LGBT+ community or not. But many Aces do care and often get excluded because their orientation isn't viewed as valid for being LGBT+. The only reasoning behind that is that they don't go through the same things and don't *suffer as much* as other people in the community. But some Aces do go through hard times *because* of their orientation. Most of the comments here make me sad.

[@37thraven]

Oof. I'm newly dating a girl who called herself ace/sapio (which works well for me, since deep conversations are my biggest turn on). And even with a raging crush on her, I already knew she's probably had to have justified her orientation to partners several times already. Sure it's not the outright violence and public homophobia that trans suffer, but it's pretty easy to see how someone clueless would try to force themselves on a partner hoping to make them like sex.

[@owenplourde3934]

ty track, ty track people think the LGBT community is about suffering, it’s not it’s about the minority being the majority, in the LGBT we get to be that majority. We fight for our rights and we stand together, either way it is LGBT because it’s part of the plus in the LGBTQ*

[@owenplourde3934]

37thraven many Asexual people can’t be in relationships because people for some reason think sex is the only thing that matters, Asexual people do get discriminated against and often the people that say they don’t are the ones doing it. Just be there for them, understand what they say.

[@alexdelaloire8739]

A high school girl in my town got assaulted because the monsters who assaulted her think "she just need a good D****" ! And yes, some people also think I'm faking it and "guys can't be asexuals" and just make fun of me or sometime I even got the "fucking fa***t" because they think I 'm in the closet!! and all of that is combined with some people in the LGBT+ community who exclude us!

[@halfpintrr]

Happypaw Fun Corrective rape, for one. I’m aeroace, and I’m seen as a freak

[@alien_unattended7115]

I was at school, and my friend and I had written a play about sexuality stereotypes, which we were going to preform. As part of the play, each one of us was an embodiment of a sexualities stereotype, and had the corresponding flag of the sexuality that we were playing painted on our faces. I was at breakfast, and I had just painted the asexual flag on my face, and a girl who I didn't know, who sat at the opposite end of our table yelled to get my attention, asking if I was ace (which I am, that's actually partly why I was playing ace). I answered yes, and she held up her hand to show me a black ring on her right hand and said "Me too." I immediately got up, rounded the table approaching her, and held out my hand for a high five. XD She was the first other ace person I met since coming out as ace.

[@In_TheMoonlight]

DUDE THAT’S AWESOME

[@Palitato]

Other ace people are THE BEST FRIENDS you can have because you KNOW they're not going to try and date you or get in your pants or get any hangups about romance or attraction because you know you're both just there for the friendship!

[@i_love_rescue_animals]

That is SO AWESOME!! I'm MUCH older than you (58) and I am now motivated to see if there's an AVEN group in my area. It's a little lonely out here being ace (especially when you're older). 💞

[@comradeamber-lee4338]

i_love_rescue_animals this went from really awesome and cool to really sad I hope you find ace pals soon :’)

[@lunix7993]

Fandom Trash that is beautiful

[@dorissaclaire]

"Sexuality is a choice" "It's not" The sass of that part made my whole week

[@Meow_dasKatze]

I know your comment is 2 years old, but if you want more of this sass search for blü the dragon, that’s his KZbin channel

[@Lor4235]

@@Meow_dasKatze Thx, I kinda wanted to check that out, but wasn't sure of the name

[@ray-of-sunshine4303]

I think the A in LGBTQIA+ represents all identities with the “a” prefix. (asexual, agender, aromantic, etc.)

[@ConnorSentByCyberlif3]

I agree, sure, In the past it it stood for ally, but why do allies need their own letter? Now, I understand why allies are important, they are amazing, but they arent really part of the community (unless they are trans/nonbinary)

[@hauntedshadowslegacy2826]

@@ConnorSentByCyberlif3 Thing is, if they're trans/nonbinary, they're not exactly an ally, are they? They're a member of the community at that point. Allies are allies because they're not part of the community but still support those who are part of it. Like, I can support construction workers' rights movements, but that doesn't make *me* a construction worker. I won't benefit directly from improvements to construction workers' rights, but I can still show my support for those who need the improvements. Now, if I were an electrician, I *would* benefit from the construction worker's rights movement. In that case, I wouldn't be an outsider showing support; I'd be a member of the movement vying for my own rights.

[@DialecticalMaterialismRocks]

@@hauntedshadowslegacy2826 not only can support those workers, but you should.

[@princessthyemis]

Great!! I agree!

[@venusdraws8454]

Same!

[@KaitlynKingKittyKate10778]

"Why would I bother going back in the closet, when I can barely bother walking to the bathroom" this made me crack up. easily detectable sarcasm at its finest. also you can tell he doesn't want to put up with any of your b.s.

[@difficultyduets2066]

i’m an asexual and i can confirm that i friCKIN LOVE CAKE AND DRAGONS

[@shotaaizawa1320]

Netflix and chill? no. Cake and dragons? Yes !

[@rtavz7107]

SAME😂

[@manorie]

I think I'm in love with cakes

[@tea-xd2pw]

Shota Aizawa yes. y e s

[@my-apollo-gies8762]

I've also heard garlic bread too

[@CoreyBravoSloan]

"asexuality doesnt exist… hi" "there are no asexual men… hi" I LOVED THAT PART HAHA

[@vjlva]

hhahahaah, same here...

[@a.j8307]

Yes, that's my favorite part of this video.

[@Shadow-zf5uc]

Yeah, it was awesome.

[@ariannarichardson8792]

Nola Sloan what is his name he's awesome

[@hugofreire8834]

What a bunch of assholes. I can use that stupid example as well. Mermaids don't exist. HI!!! There you go, now mermaids exist because I said I'm one. I'm not saying asexual people don't exist but this amount of labels is ridiculous.

[@alissaride117]

if the lgbt community hate aces so much then why don't they get rid of the "a" in their acronym. all it does is cause confusion to whether it stands for "ace/aro" or "ally". and then when someone yells to you that "tHE 'a' sTaNDs FoR aLLy NoT AcE!!!1", the community just looks flat out hypocritical to allow in cis, heterosexual, STRAIGHT people in the community yet not allow people who do not experience romantic and sexual attraction and actually have struggles with their sexual and/or romantic attraction as it is not considered "the norm".

[@Segen_Bell]

Hetero and straight are the same. Sorry, I just wanted to say it.😅

[@alissaride117]

@@Segen_Bell oh i know lol i was just trying to make a point

[@frieda1368]

@@coolfred9083 Why would I be their "ally" while they exclude me, disrespect my struggles and my identity? They can piss of

[@coolfred9083]

@@frieda1368 I wrote that a year ago and have no idea what I was trying to say, it's very stupid lol. I'm not ace myself but have an ace friend and everyone seems supportive of that. But obviously I don't know what it's like online and stuff. I'm sure there are plenty of weird people who exclude ace people for some stupid reason. I would have to guess the majority of LGBTQ+ people are supportive of ace people too, but the people who aren't can definitely piss off.

[@frieda1368]

@@coolfred9083 thanks for answering. I think I'm just frustrated because so many people are demanding me to act as their ally and I still dont feel like its safe for me to identify as ace openly without being labled as something weird. We have a discussion about inclusion at my workplace since a while now and I feel like its just used to open up new lines of exclusion and rightiousness and I am yet another time on the outside. That just hurts sometimes.

[@ryanhuntington9852]

I am a romantic sort of boring gay dude who totally supports the Ace and Aro communities. Thank you for posting this video to explain things to everyone. ONE HUMAN FAMILY. We need to be kind to each other.

[@madelinevlogs5898]

I thought the dragon thing was because asexual people are seen as "not real" and dragons aren't real so asexual people are like dragons.

[@TheKarret]

You can see how well some of these people research. < w>!

[@TheeKhonshu]

Madeline Vlogs yes because lots of people believe that no one can be Asexual

[@TheeKhonshu]

Yes I’m Gray Asexual which is rarely no sexual attractions to people

[@lindenlynx]

No wonder I've always been obsessed with dragons :)

[@pearlescen]

And people also say “unicorn”

[@Sackofbooks]

I actually didn't realize that I was on the ace/aro spectrums (spectra?) until an ace character showed up in a webcomic I was reading (Girls With Slingshots, for the record). The writer/artist mentioned AVEN's website at one point, so I checked it out and was like "Oh. That actually explains a lot." So yeah, if anyone's wondering whether representation matters, there's your answer.

[@ellw7830]

^^^ I was watching an Evan Edinger video and heard the word demisexuality for the first time when I was 15.

[@SoraAoi95]

Yeah I figured out I was ace/aro with fanfiction, imagine how much faster I would have figured it out if there was any actual representation in mainstream media (btw I was 21 when I started figuring it out)

[@nollanfk9077]

I was reading the WEBTOON acceptance (I believe that what is called) when I found out the term for what I felt

[@xanders3083]

But asexuals aren't human. We're majestic otters from outer space

[@pearlescen]

Ugh your so ignorant I hate people like you. Not all of us are otters! I’m a penguin who shoots out pillows from my eyes, geez people these days

[@cathemeraltheenby6840]

I'm a ninja gecko with lasers!

[@shotaaizawa1320]

I am cake

[@pegosaurus8676]

Heh heh.... otter space....

[@floralviolet_5086]

Hey shhh! Don't blow our cover! :V

[@cheyhawkins747]

"Asexuals don't exist" "Hi" i screeched and probably woke up my whole family oml

[@GoingPostalAtBlackMesa]

When I told my dad I was asexual (homoromantic), he said it was because I was too young to have any sexual attraction... I'm 18!

[@KarutoZoaldyeck]

I'm younger but I know that everyone I know Craves It I do not.

[@missnaomi613]

Some of us parents are a bit slow. I'm sure he'll catch up.

[@terminaldeity]

I came out as asexual at 27 after several long term sexual relationships. After 7 years no sexual or romantic interest (I'm 34), my parents are just now starting to get it.

[@brendielahooha]

I only started having sexual atraction when I was 24, so it’s different for every individual (the age and also if they will eventually have sexual atraction or not)

[@hauntedshadowslegacy2826]

I don't get it... Are kids supposed to date without being attracted to anyone until they're 19? Y'know, seeing how soooo many people force this 'teen love' narrative on everyone? It's just ridiculous. Has he since figured out where his head is located?

[@mip33]

Dear exclusionists: "Straight" implies being heterosexual...as an A-sexual (and A-romantic) I am not hetero anything, therefore I am NOT straight. Mmmkay ty

[@rachiejw]

As an ally to the LGBTQIA+ community, I personally have never felt the "A" should be for ally over asexual. I identify as cisgender, heterosexual, and heteromantic, so why should I be grouped into a community established especially for those who identify with exactly the opposite?

[@becca-de6so]

Thank you.

[@kendraklopfenstein5350]

I believe you are wrong because you are not part of a group you are an ally I can be an ally to black lives matter but not a member because I’m not a person of color.

[@theonionassassins982]

I believe aro and aces are a part of the community, but the reason a lot of people say a is for ally is because ally can be code for closeted gay people in our culture. It isn’t always, but some of us include it just for the people for which it is.

[@prismue5068]

Historically, the community was called the LGBT community, yet certain events were called LGBTQA events. The Q stood for questioning, and the A stood for ally. That way, closeted people could still participate in these events without being outed. So while allies aren't actually part of the community, the A stands for ally so that closeted people can stay safe. Hope I helped

[@flootzavut30daychallenge]

r historically, the community has been called a bunch of different things, it's really not long since it was, for example, GLB. It's always changed to reflect who makes up the community.

[@georgebach10]

I say the A is for ace,aro,and agender.

[@jaeleighfreyberger6482]

George Bach and I am all of the above 😂

[@justinflanders7754]

I'm the aro of the a

[@ro643]

Yes

[@ro643]

I'm aro

[@nogamenolife4654]

Ace, aro , agender, allies

[@mckennalaird2398]

As a person who is INCREDIBLY sexual and romantic, it never once caught me off guard when I heard about asexuality and aromanticism. I think it's because by the time I heard these terms I had already realized that sexuality is not a choice. It's so odd to me that people are so arrogant that they think they know how other people better than those people know themselves. Every time I hear the term "I know you better than you know yourself" in any context, it just rubs me the wrong way.

[@arikazuma6472]

THANK YOU

[@secretlyamonkey]

OML THANK YOU PlEaSE AdoPT mE

[@blueberrymuffin_144]

THANK YOUU

[@HeyThere005]

AH THE FINAL VIDEO IS FINALLY DONE! ...I have long hair in it...I know, BLAST FROM THE NOT VERY LONG AGO PAST WHOOOA!! Be sure to 'like' this video is sexual diversity is your JAM :D

[@jaimepynk8605]

these videos taught me so much and made me learn a lot about my own sexuality. I love you Ashley!

[@chiefmaggot360]

thank you so much, you guys really helped me out. earned a sub!

[@eryngoodman6588]

These videos mean so much to me. Thank you Ashley, these are perfect.

[@aapotts2470]

+Ashley Mardell I should point out that I believe the dragon thing at 5:30 originated from a JK Rowling interview. Of Charlie Weasley (Who is widely interpreted as Aro/Ace, she said he 'was more interested in dragons' than relationships. Just some context for yers. Great work Ashley and to everyone involved

[@kimberlypence2615]

+Ashley Mardell Awesome job Ashley, We have been posting about this on AVEN. It's a wonderful resource that you have created.

[@charliera1larklight]

Aphobia has only grown online since this series came out and it makes me sad and sometimes I just come to these videos and watch them for their enormous amounts of ace positivity and remember the height of the ace community and why I loved it so much ♥️

[@mac19019]

Personally, as an asexual, I don't totally associate with the LGBT community because I feel like I wasn't welcomed because of my sexuality. Speaking with other ace people has been amazing, very kind and amazing, and most people of the LGBT community also are. But I've had many people push me away once I've mentioned it. Romantically I don't really label myself or with gender so I think that's another reason to push me out. But I just haven't felt very welcome in the community so I try to keep to other asexuals. (And I know this is a very uncommon opinion, I do sometimes enjoy the plant jokes. I most commonly get potato because I'm also Celtic. This isn't the case for everyone but that's just me) Spud for the love of bud. ✌️

[@mardivuolo7787]

Mac Davis same here buddy Im ace/aro but i dont feel part of the LGBT community in any way ✌

[@stefanitaalexandru8132]

Are you a boy or a girl? As a asexual have you ever felt physical sexual desire?

[@nanapinaman-dotwa6415]

Mac Davis I feel the same way too, except I'm Aro. I've joined discord groups only to be pushed away because, quote on quote, " The LGBTQ+ only identify with sexuality. I do feel sexual attraction like a pan does. But because, " Aroms and Aces don't belong", I tend to stay with My own people. But I do tell people

[@mardivuolo7787]

@@stefanitaalexandru8132 im agender lol I'm neither. I once thought i had crushes on some boys, eventually i started having them on girls too but then i realized mine weren't even crushes on those people but just a deep liking i had taken in them and a desire to be their friend. I realized this because thinking me and said person in a relationship, let it be romantic or sexual, made me extremely uncomfortable, whereas being just friends with them put the sappiest smile on my face. MAN im so sorry i replied just now but yt never notified me of any replies rip

[@lilydalbkce3249]

This series came out just as I started question whether or not I was asexual. I still don't know but I think I'm just going to live my life. It's okay.

[@ellw7830]

[@TheNexusChronus]

I never knew asexuals were excluded from the LGBT+ community until just recently. It's honestly appaling. We demand equality from straight people and yet we treat ace's and aro's as if they're aliens or deny their existence all together. The hypocricy is enough to take away all our credibility. I personaly stand for every person being able to identify any way they want. The way I see it, the LGBT+ community is supposed to be a place where all people who don't identify as cysgender heterosexuals can find comfort and support. To deny that to ace's and aro's is not OK!

[@metalicrobot66]

The problem is is that there are aces who are cisgender & hetero. There are straight aces and they do NOT belong in the LGBT+ community.

[@laynparker-zion7200]

I have hard time seeing why they don't belong. They are still an Ace. If Aces are included, they shouldn't not be include because they are cisgendered or straight. What you are saying is that Aces can only be included if hey have another LGBT trait (say trans asexual, or homo aromantic). That's seems to be like saying a homosexual can't be in the LGBT+ community because they are cisgendered. Aces, whether Cis or Straight, still have they're own way of being oppressed and their own way of being identified.

[@holachicos5000]

Maddie oh then either bi that are engaged with a person of the opposite gender shouldn't be on the lgbt+ community

[@issyevans7936]

Camila Soria I disagree. Cisheteronormativity is definitely a big problem that can make them feel oppressed and broken. It pressures them into trying to be “normal” and they unwillingly enter relationships and have sex just to prove to themselves that they aren’t broken. I know these problems aren’t the same as the rest of the lgbtq community, but they are still problems and oppression in their own right. Excluding them from the lgbtq community is in fact discrimination and oppression, something the lgbtq community exists for to avoid. Even if they are cis and straight, they’re still ace or aro, neither of which are cishet, making them queer, if only slightly. The full acronym is LGBTQIA. It stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, intersex, and ACE. Ace or aro. Not ally. Or agender. (Agender is typically included in trans). Ace is part of the acronym. Denying that would be oppressing them.

[@madisonrush5664]

Aromantic Asexuals aren’t considered straight either they should be allowed in the community

[@Dee-wu3vk]

OML "I cant be bothered walking to the bathroom most days why would I want to go back into the closet" cracked me up too much

[@griffinraynor8425]

As an allo bisexual/romantic person, I believe absolutely that all ace and/or aro people belong in the LGBTQUA+ community if they wish to be a part of it. This includes cis heteroromantic aces and cis heterosexual aros. From what I gather as an outsider, asexuality and aromanticism are marginalized enough that they deserve community to make up for that...and even if they weren't, I think we should think carefully before gatekeeping on the community. Ace and aro people in general really seem to identify with the rest of the community. I've always seen them as an essential part of it and never questioned whether they belong. It would feel wrong to me to suggest they aren't with us. Of course I totally understand not every ace/aro person will feel they belong or want to belong in the community, and that's fine. People are different. But we should never do anything to make them feel like they can't access the community or that they are unwelcome.

[@saritabohannon9416]

I don't get the whole "only same gender attracted people allowed in the LGBTQ+" community because what about heterosexual,, heteroromantic trans people?

[@aroace7913]

I atleast think that all people who are not straight are a part of the LGBT+ and only two arguments I did read were your ones and that we don´t face as much oppression and these things ( atleast I think so ) shouldn´t be a criteria for being a part of the LGBT+

[@prismue5068]

Only same gender attracted people AND trans people. Lesbian trans women fought for our rights at Stonewall, after all. Only SGA and trans people are part of the community, though

[@aroace7913]

@@prismue5068 You can´t really know you if asexuals also were there since asexuality was not well known back than and aros and aces are now part of the LGBT+ since LGBT+ people allow them on prides.

[@mstefaniek.491]

@@aroace7913 Aces/aros used to be part of the bi community so yeah, we were there 😊 Idk if you're still interested in the topic you can find plenty of sources here: sta.sh/01oo8to9cx96

[@pterazei9152]

I feel we should be a part of the LGBTQIA+ community. Why? Well, why do allies need support? They're supposed to be helping us. Maybe there should be a C in the acronym for people still in the closet. They don't need to shout to the world that they are in the closet, but just for quiet support to them and they can feel happy that way. They can still identify as allies, but allies shouldn't really be in the acronym. And, I believe the A should stand for ace, aro, and agender people, because agender people are real, too. If we are in the acronym, then more people will actually realize they aren't broken. That's just my thoughts...

[@aroace7913]

@@dantemunn6747 Aces are not straight.

[@blueberrymuffin_144]

AroAce thank you.

[@dariennewilson9982]

Upon hearing that there are no notable ace/aro characters in media, it made me want to finish my book. One of the main characters identifies as asexual and another character is transgender ftm. I personally identify as panrom/demi but I sometimes question if I'm gray. I really learned a lot of terms about the LGBTQIA+ community and I love all you work! Great job Ash!

[@gugutenberg]

Liradu2 Just leaving a comment in case someone answers

[@laurieb190]

Liradu2 i heard that jughead jones was supposed to have a story line about being asexual in Riverdale, but im not sure. However the original character is supposedly confirmed asexual

[@Imnya]

We now have Todd from Bojack Horseman!

[@TheKarret]

You want more characters - there's an ace girl in the TV show Sirens, as well as the character Varys in Game of Thrones.

[@mossmiller8050]

Hi!! I'm a trans boy here to inform you that many people in the trans community would like to eliminate terms like "ftm" and "mtf" instead we use "afab"(assigned female at birth) and "amab"(assigned male at birth) because ftm and mtf are just so outdated.

[@themothjam]

I'm late to the party but: For a long time, I identifed as pansexual, but recently I realized I'm actually ace (and panromantic). "But they're exact opposites! How could you confuse them?" For me, it was about figuring out how I felt about a person. I can tell when I like someone, but it's often hard for me to tell *how* I like someone. It was very difficult for me to differentiate romantic feelings from sexual ones, until I was in a situation where I was approached with sexual feelings from another person, and realized that I couldn't reciprocate that, despite being very romantically attracted to them. Sidebar: Aces & aros are welcome in the community; yes, even cishet ones. This isn't a competition on who's discriminated against the most. We are fighting too many battles against folks who want us to conform into a Good Straight Binary™ society to argue over if someone is "queer enough" to fit into the community. However, if an ace person doesn't want to be involved, the same way a gay man may not want to be involved, they are welcome to do so. Especially after how they've been treated by people within the community, I'd understand.

[@bknighttheemo8756]

Sarcastic Trash exactly!!! 🖤 I feel a bit bullied from the community though so I just chat with other aces it sucks but you tell it exactly how it is 🤓🤘

[@insanimegamer]

The A in the LGBT+ initialism (in my opinion) stands for Aro/Ace, not Ally. Yes, allies are welcome at pride. Yes, they are welcome to support groups. Yes, they are welcome if they are questioning their gender, orientation, etc. However, just because allies support the LGBT+ community, doesn't mean they understand or experience the hate and struggle that LGBT+ members do. We appreciate the support, but please don't take the A away from aro/ace individuals.

[@none4530]

Yess! I totally agree! I'm not asexual, but I am part of the LGBT+ group and ally is not a legitimate term. To me it just sounds like straight people wanting to sound hip

[@insanimegamer]

+Alex Creed honestly yeah. im not aro/ace either (im questioning some of the gray-ace terms i heard from this video series tho), but i have a few friends who are, and i don't like the idea of allies trying to overshadow them, unintentionally or not.

[@insanimegamer]

***** by the support group thing, i was referring to those who wanted to go to support groups for a friend or if they were closeted/questioning. sorry for not being too clear on that one.

[@Bananastroodle]

+insanimegamer Hmmm. It seems that many people seem to think along the same lines as you. It sort of confuses me. Yes, LGBT+ people do experience quite a lot of struggle in this society. But does that mean that Allies should be looked at as if they are outsiders who just can't possibly understand? I don't think I like this "us" or 'them" mentality. One reason I don't like labels.

[@lenas7867]

+Bananastroodle its me again, hi! :D im just scrolling through the comments and i think your opinion is really interesting, so i decided to reply to you again. the thing is, that allys are people who are hetero and cis, meaning they usually dont have any sexuality or gender related struggles, or at least not in the way lgbt+ people do. the community was created in order to give people who dont fit in with the majority of people a safe space, a place to be themselves and to receive support. allys usually wont need that, as they dont face our struggles. for example, being part of the #blacklivesmatter movement can give you an insight on what people are going through and you may understand their pain and their struggles, but you dont feel it yourself. sticking up and supporting a community is extremely important and i think tons of people would agree with me that allys are needed and in many cases the ones who help us achieve our goals and offer great support, but they arent neccessarily the ones in need of support. i get your point, but i dont see allys as outsiders, since they usually are the ones that are generally accepted in society (at least concerning their sexual/romantic orientation and gender identity).

[@ollyambrose644]

im so pissed at these comments saying ace/aros aren't part of the lgbtq community. ace/aros are not straight. it's as simple as that. the lgbtq community is for people who- get this- aren't straight. i'm trans and aro/ace, so don't come @ me about not being lgbt.

[@aroace7913]

I really want to know why people have such a problem to accept us in their community.

[@metalicrobot66]

If you are trans then of course you are part of the LGBT community. The argument is that there are cisgender/hetero aces and they do not belong. Just because a straight person doesn’t have sex/romance does not make them LGBT. That’s illogical.

[@SunnySunburstx]

Maddie I'm ace and I'm not looking to push the idea that heteroromantic aces/heterosexual aros are part of the LGBT+, but something you might not be understanding is that they don't experience sexual OR romantic attraction. That doesn't mean they won't have sex/have a romantic relationship. The fact alone that they don't experience a form of attraction doesn't make them 100% straight, considering the norm is cisgender, heterosexual AND heteroromantic. That being said I see where both sides are coming from. For now I wouldn't say heteroromantic aces/heterosexual aros are either straight or LGBT+. But they should still be acknowledged as deviating from the norm

[@metalicrobot66]

Shayllox I’m aware of the split attraction model. We are in agreement on many things here but I don’t believe someone who is both ace and aro is lgbt. They are nothing, tbh. Maybe, depending on their gender expression, they might face some misdirected homophobia but at the end of the day they are neither oppressed as lgbt or privileged as straight.

[@SunnySunburstx]

Maddie My response probably implied that aroaces are LGBT+ because I haven't covered aroaces but with my previous logic they aren't either, like you said they just don't really belong in either groups. At least I don't see myself in either groups. However I wouldn't say they (we) are nothing because that's pretty dehumanizing. We're people, we just don't experience x type of attraction and so we don't belong in the cisgender straight majority nor the LGBT+ (unless having a LGBT+ romantic/sexual orientation OR falling under the trans umbrella) I do agree with you a lot of points though I believe it's just some of your wording that could lead to some misunderstandings Opinions and definitions aside, however, it shouldn't be our place to tell anyone if they belong in the LGBT+ or not, whatever sexuality they might identify as. It's up to the individual, and they shouldn't be getting hate for whether they identify with one group over the other. As long as they're not harming anyone the gatekeeping is useless

[@prismatic7596]

Aces and aros and everything else you are welcome in the LGBT+ community, here have a welcome hug! No romo tho! ( I think I'm funny I'm sorry )

[@aroace7913]

It seems that not all people think we are a should be a part of it.

[@prismatic7596]

That sucks, we've just got to keep being nice to each other and ignore those who do otherwise.

[@ollyambrose644]

ugh thank you. these comments are bringing me down.

[@ollyambrose644]

haha wow i wonder what it's like to be that fucking shitty

[@aroace7913]

Shilo Englert We are a part of this community but sadly there are people like you that think we are not.

[@NanaNana-gt3mr]

I'm not ace/aro (I'm pan), but can I give my opinion? Heck, yeah, they freakity belong in the community! (As long as they wish to be a part of it).

[@milliedragon4418]

Nana Nana awe

[@paigeg5852]

Nana Nana I'm not pan but pretty sure I'm ace pan romantic!

[@hexgirl_x]

this is the worst thing ive ever read

[@TheKarret]

I'm ace, but I don't know how to feel about it... I think ace folks would unquestionably belong to saaay GSRM - Gender, Sexual, and Romantic Minorities, but specifically LGBT+ ? idk; the culture you see there most often overtly glorifies sex [check out pics from the pride parade, check out the people from shows like Drag Race [Alaska Thunderfuck - Anus for example]]. I don't see anything wrong with that in and of itself; I don't feel like I'm being forced into watching that stuff, and they're just having fun with what they enjoy. It seems more like an invasive and inconsiderate move for ace people to try to rush in on that community and make both the non-ace folks and they themselves uncomfortable. I don't see why ace people should do that [assuming they don't belong in some other fashion], or how that's going to help us be accepted??? To just go in and cause a big stink like that? idk. Seems in bad taste to me. And it seems like it will most likely backfire, especially if people attempt to shame, guilt, coerce, or just force their way into those spaces.

[@ro643]

Thanks I need it 😂😂😍

[@cynaracypreste]

I was once in a LGBTQ+ circle were I was the only assexual. In one meeting, someone asked me, in front of 30+ people that I didn't quite know, whether I masturbated or not, and if yes, how... It is to this day one of the most unconfortable experiences I've had as an assexual, and it really bothers me why do people think that's an ok thing to ask... But anyway, Ashley, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS AWESOME SERIE!! I've learned a lot of things I didn't know even already being in the comunity!

[@harlie6349]

I am a cis-genered, heteroromantic, asexual female. I do not consider myself part of the community only because my sexuality does not interfere with my every day life.

[@98Rhiannon]

Harlie same but also because I know most communities won't accept me anyways about the only community I interact with are ace/aro

[@jeanalisson]

as a gay man, thank you.

[@xzombee4168]

I'm convicted about whether or not I consider myself in the community. Mostly the reason i would is because I know zero other acesin my area. Everyone I've asked has no clue what asexuality is

[@minbevy]

same omg

[@kdog3334]

That’s fine if you don’t, but your experiences do not cover all people like you. ALL aces belong in the LGBTQ+, despite people who try to gatekeep. Luckily, many people accept them and give them the support they need despite the hate on tumblr

[@janssen7535]

Oh joy, I can't WAIT til I'm old enough where sex is supposed to be present in whatever romantic relationships I may have! *explodes from lethal levels of sarcasm*

[@kiah9085]

IF YOU DO NOT THINK AROS OR ACES ARE LGBT+ THEN WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE DON'T COMMENT WE ARE WATCHING THIS TO BE UNDERSTOOD AND FEEL BETTER AS WELL AS LEARNING MORE YOU SHOULD'NT ATTACK US FOR WANTING TO BE INCLUDED

[@KarutoZoaldyeck]

I am Non binary Ace

[@HeartlessAndUndead]

from the bottom of my itty bitty ace heart i thank you for making these Ashley.

[@mrmarshmallow57]

I second that

[@ZombiePenguin15]

ditto!

[@Sam-mz5gt]

Yes! I agree!

[@anjalibapat7]

+Rampage_At_Dusk Me too omg! :D

[@emerydo5937]

same

[@moxxymoxx3987]

Aromantics are not merely immune to Cupid’s arrows, we are Cupid’s arrows. Cupid’s Aros, if you will. If an Aromantic strikes you in the heart you will be overcome with all the romantic love we do not feel directed at whoever happens to be in our flight path.

[@ERROXIS07]

This... this is amazing.

[@rosiespiller1640]

Yes.

[@fairycat23]

The word amatonormativity exists. I'm so glad that there's a word for it! Sure, it may have a lot of syllables, but it's fewer than "assuming you're gonna get married and have at least 2 non-adopted kids."

[@lowkey276]

My girlfriend is asexual and doesn't want to be part of the LGBTQ+ or the heterosexual community, she feels like she's part of a third group.

[@aroace7913]

Well that is her decision and the question was if aces can claim to be a part of the LGBT+ and not if they should.

[@aroace7913]

@@daninoa9650 Sure we have our own communities but I don´t see a valid reason why aros and aces shouldn't be LGBT+.

[@pearlescen]

Lo Loki same. I don’t want to be indentified as LGBT+ mostly because I’m a Christian and afraid my parents will be disappointed a bit or won’t allow me

[@kairistwin]

"Douche canoe" is my new favourite phrase... Thank you so much everyone for posting this series, it is wonderful!

[@misiolek2]

Of course the content is incredibly informative and I loved all three, but I also have to say how amazing and beautiful are your animations.. seriously 👌👌👌👌

[@TheAjerf]

this series has been Ace haha bad asexuality puns is what i live for

[@justinflanders7754]

Lol

[@TheOtivid]

Very informative series! I 100% think the "A" should NOT stand for allies. The LGBTQIA+ community is a marginalized community (even within itself). Allies, regardless of how informed they are, will never TRULY understand what it means to be in the community, and just saying, "Oh, I LOVE gay people!!!" does not make you worthy of it. Being in this community isn't always a fun, rainbow party. There's struggling, there's bullying, there's homelessness, and there's suicide, among other things, and for that reason alone, they shouldn't be included. You shouldn't get a reward (in this case, a letter in the initialism) just for being a decent human being.

[@ripmyfictionalfriends]

agreed!

[@insanimegamer]

+Gina DiVito I agree. No matter how passionate an ally is or how supportive and loving, they don't belong in the community itself.

[@nognog3333]

What I heard about this is that originally the A was added for ally so kids who weren't out yet could still join the community and come to meetings without outing themselves, which doesn't necessarily mean it should still stand for ally now, but it does have a history behind it that isn't about giving people "congrats you don't suck" stickers.

[@malachorfives]

+Gina DiVito I agree. It should belong to everyone on the asexual, agender and aromantic spectrum. also, as a pansexual (I don't exist either, hi) I'm kinda angry about only getting a q for queer/questioning and them getting the a for - as you said it - just being decent human beings. it's kinda messed up in my opinion

[@Bananastroodle]

+Gina DiVito Are you saying that LGBT+ people should only be allowed into the community if they experience struggling, bullying, homelessness, suicide, etc? It that your criteria? I am asexual, but I've never experienced anything like that. I can't even imagine what it is like for other people who do go through that. Should I be excluded?

[@ThaHawka]

I loved this trilogy! Thank you so much for sourcing so many wonderful perspectives and voices!! 🥰

[@RPGfanatic1996]

You have no idea how helpful this video has been to me personally. I'm currently struggling with my identity - well, I have been for a while but I didn't know that there was a label for the things I have been going through. Really, all the people involved in this video have helped me a lot. I will be eagerly waiting for any other videos on similar topics and I recommend this video to anyone who is either curious, struggling with identity, or just wants to understand. Thank you so much!

[@kaedemaciej]

_the black rings are quite popular if you look, actually. I've met someone at my school with one as well._

[@ceililipp2360]

that's so cool, I wear mine everyday but have never seen a person at my school wearing one

[@kaedemaciej]

_that's why they're so cool. they're a subtle way for the community to still be a community offline :)_

[@Sam-mz5gt]

+pizza boy REALLY I HAVE NEVER MET ANYONE ELSE WHO WEARS AN ACE RING OMG

[@Sam-mz5gt]

+Rainbow Popcorn On their middle finger? Of their right hand?

[@Sam-mz5gt]

***** Well it's only a symbol of asexuality if it's worn there otherwise it could just be a regular old ring

[@Fenditokesdialect]

"There are no asexual characters in the media" Sherlock Holmes : "r u sure about that?"

[@maixc9971]

James Wraith they forgot that guy in bo jack horseman

[@wooyeah1738]

Jessica Rabbit: Yes, hello, hi, what do you want?

[@TheMemane]

*"there are no proper representation of asexual people in the media" most of the time asexuality is often associated with "broken" "psychopath" or "lacking emotions"

[@CuteLilEldritch1010]

pandemonium present Wait she’s ace? I never knew!

[@wooyeah1738]

Shugari Soul It’s a pretty common headcanon that makes sense if you think about it. Not canon, but pretty damn close with all the evidence. I don’t think I’m qualified to explain it though there’s some things on it online

[@athomassen3980]

This is such an informative series! I knew next to nothing about the ace/aro community before this, so this really helped me out.

[@athomassen3980]

(also, the graphics are so cool, where did you learn to do that?)

[@whatshisnamegain1]

+Anne Thomassen A capybara

[@BlackCrystalAlchemis]

As an aro, it makes me happy to hear that there are people who WANT to know more about the ace/aro community 💗

[@lillybee2951]

Why does anyone care about what the a means, like last time I chequed + , means EVERYTHING PLUS EXTRA A

[@aroace7913]

It seems not for everybody when I look in the comments.

[@elianwolfert3879]

Yeah, the problematic thing is that loads of people go "A is for ally and ace people don't exist/are same as being cishet" -__-;;

[@jonahyogman6282]

Allies are great, and I don't think they should be on the acronym tho

[@AverageEggmonEnthusiast]

The real problem is that autocorrect removes the “A” altogether. Makes us feel left out, you know?

[@metalicrobot66]

lilly bee The acronym is LGBT. The plus can be for allies/questioning people to protect from outing themselves. But at the end of the day the community was founded to combat homophobia/transphobia. Full stop.

[@laynparker-zion7200]

I just would like to thank you and all the wonderful people included for making this. It really helped me with finding a bit more about myself and some useful terms and made me feel a bit less alone. My close friends whom found out first were really great and even helped me discover ace but I've recently been almost a bit afraid to tell people I'm ace cause they'll just say "That's not humanly possible. Have you or do you masterbate or thought about sex? Then you're not 'ace' or whatever that bullshit. Asexual is something that can reproduce on it's own, you can't make child on your own. You just haven't met the right person" and ext. I feel a lot more comfortable with myself and what I am choosing to identify with. You have no idea how much gratitude I have. Thank you so much.

[@imsokeiko]

I am so grateful for these series. I will be rewatching from time to time to better my own knowledge as well as direct ignorant people to these series to learn for the first time. Thank you for your hard work, Ashley!

[@funsizeJC]

Ashley this was so great I learned so much and I define with Demi-ace/aro. But there were one BIG thing that I didn't think was covered as well as it should/could have been. I think it's important to say that Ace is NOT just sex but also: kissing, hugs, and other acts that could be viewed as sexual. I have no desire to have sex what so ever but I do have the desire to cuddle ( which I view as something that could be sexual) kiss, hug, but only with the person I love -which why I define as Demi-sexual. Also I need the song as my ringtone. I loved the trilogy. Nice work.

[@HeyThere005]

+funsize_JC I think this was covered in Ep 1...you don't agree?

[@HeyThere005]

+Ashley Mardell and Ep 2 as well actually...hmm, maybe I wasn't explicit enough.

[@unepommeverte17]

+funsize_JC for some people being ace *is* just about sex itself. for me, stuff like kissing, cuddling, and hugging are more romantic things, even platonic in some cases. but yes this concept could have been discussed more, even just to say that the lines between sexual, romantic, and platonic actions are different for everyone.

[@funsizeJC]

unepommeverte17 Your right, for some like you it its just sex but for a lot of ace people I know its more than just that.

[@funsizeJC]

Ashley Mardell It was mentioned in both like you said, but I felt like it could of been stated out in the open if that makes sense (at the very start of the part 1). I just didn`t feel like it said by itself that much even though is a important thing about being ace/aro that its different for everyone.

[@yourearsaregreen]

This was an amazingly interesting, educational and important trilogy of videos, well done Ash and all of your awesome guests! There was so much stuff that I didn't know (I'm a little bit ashamed) but you can be sure that I'll share the ace love

[@yourearsaregreen]

Ps graphics goals 😍

[@Battybat284]

thank you so much for doing this video! my heart is crying inside from joy. I am so glad I found you! I recently came out as asexual just to use a broad term and this series helped so much!

[@jaymesays6437]

The ace series has given me so much happiness and it’s made me so excited to learn about some of the inside jokes, the black ring on the middle finger thing, and it’s just sorted out my feelings for someone so immensely. Thank you so much to everyone who contributed to this series, you’ve made me so so happy.

[@Oushiro17]

Loved this trilogy. I knew most of the info, but also learned a decent amount. I am going to share it on my facebook because I think more people need to have a wider understanding of the world and the people in it. Thank you all for taking the time to make this!

[@Lili-zv5bo]

I'm seeing this so long after you posted this but I wanted to thank you for making this. I'm actually crying bc I feel so alone in my sexuality, I don't know if I'm asexual or demisexual but while I do know a lot of people belonging to the lgbtq+ community I don't know anyone who identifies to the A part so I don't dare to say anything about it, especially since I'm so unsure about what I am exactly, I feel like telling it to someone then realizing that I was wrong would be horrible so I'm just stuck in this weird secret. And bc I'm a virgin I'm nearly sure that people would just think that it's because I never had sex that I think that way and I don't think I would be able to tell them that they are wrong bc...Maybe they aren't...So yeah...I'm so lost but your video still helped me a bit by showing me that I wasn't totally alone :)

[@kaylaallred8839]

ace of spades right here

[@rinakxo7267]

I'm either an ace of spades or ace of diamonds, not sure yet

[@buzzsawenthusiast1756]

Ace of Clubs! :)

[@whotookmyhandle]

Used to be clubs, now a spades. Still in the closet tho.

[@blueberrymuffin_144]

ACE OF DIAMONDSSSS

[@majesticwyrm]

@@blueberrymuffin_144 yasss! My people!

[@cockadoodledoostudios2778]

Imma start carrying around an ace of spades now Person: hey... wanna go out somewhere? Me: **chucks card at face and runs away** Person: wtf

[@littlemissmarissable]

I've identified as ace for about 5 years now but I was keen to learn more about the community. These videos were so helpful, I love how you got opinions from so many people. My favourite part was the misconceptions section, especially when one of the people spoke about demisexuality. Other people have questioned my demisexuality before saying "that's just like everyone else, you don't have sex with just anyone." And I try to explain (sometimes successfully) that it's about having/not having sexual attraction and not just a preference over how many people I want to sleep with.

[@stephanienielson5796]

Aww💜💜 I loved this series so much I really do feel the ace community has so many inside jokes I can't help but go "hey look it's me!" When ever we are playing cards and someone pulls an ace it's so great. the song at the end just made me so happy too

[@_an_infinite_universe_2819]

You've ACEd this video!! haha... bad puns I know

[@samuraix558]

Aromantic Asexuals make the ultimate best friends, even if we can sometimes become invisible. We love you! Platonically!

[@fruitfunfitness3584]

It seems reasonable, that if people of any given gender are capable of not experiencing attraction to males, and similarly for females, then there is no reason to suspect someone could genuinely not experience attraction for either sex, or for anyone for that matter. If anything, it seems fairly reasonably that such people can and do exist. Thanks for the hard work. I much appreciate it.

[@sevchan6428]

Hey Ashley! I just watched your trilogy and it blew my mind!! I have avoided labeling my sexuality until very recently and I really thought I nailed it when I started to identify as bi. But you made me realize that I also fit in the Ace group! I still need to study all the terms and nuances, but you opened new areas of reflexion. I just wanted to thank you for your work and for offering visibility to a whole range of people with no jugement. Great job!! Greetings from France ;)

[@scooter-kid]

I am so thankful that you all made these videos. They cleared up so many questions that I had.

[@CatBarefield]

fuck these people who give shit to others based on who they love/dont love/have sex with/dont have sex with. i wholeheartedly agree that ace and aro should be included in the lgbtq+ community, if only because they face adversity based on their sexual/romantic attractions, as do people in the lgbtq+ community. awesome trilogy, Ashley!!

[@Noah-ew8nx]

I always thought the A in lgbtgia+ meant ace/aro but apparently not? Anyway... I have loved this series about Ace/Aro people as I personally identify as Asexual but I am still questioning. So right now i'm an Ace of Clubs :D

[@justben1770]

I wish I found this 4 years ago when I was in my anti SJW phase, maybe it would have made me evaluate my sexuality sooner. Kinda funny actually seeing how I am now the type of person 2016 me would have hated..... huh

[@Rainbow_Wolf]

I can't even put into words how much I appreciate you making this series. This was so needed, and I learnt so much! Thanks so much to everyone involved in these videos!

[@levanalilith9187]

Ashley. Thank you so much for this project. I am aromantic and I have been frustrated with the lack of information about it. Now I have your series to push people towards when I need to explain. I look up to you for the bisexuality videos. And I couldnt believe that I could be more impressed. And then this came out. Just.... thank you from the bottom of my heart

[@strayyleafy]

I am not ace or aro, but I definitely include them in the LGBTQIA+ community, but if they don't want to, that's perfectly okay :3 It's their life, not mine. And I don't understand how homophobes keep acting like the LGBTQIA+ community affects their lives.

[@SashikuChan]

Yep. I'd be homoromantic but bordering aromantic. I thought I was a lesbian years ago but nope. Asexual. Definitely asexual.

[@casamos6931]

Same yo

[@Sam-mz5gt]

+Charlie How can you feel sexual attraction towards women while not feeling any sexual attraction?

[@Sam-mz5gt]

***** Hmmm I personally define lesbian as homosexual but I understand what you mean... It being homoromantic instead

[@Sam-mz5gt]

***** Okay I understand

[@Sam-mz5gt]

***** No worries, I learned a lot from your comments :)

[@liamcampbell1125]

wow Ashley, ur hair grew back pretty fast! 😉😏

[@Chilidog02]

Liam Campbell Ash*

[@kevinjosephcapistrano4315]

This series is very informative, almost info-overloaded (but understandable... executed tastefully I might add), and... DEEPLY AFFIRMING for me personally. I really thank and admire the people behind this. More power to all of you. And I just have to say that I ADORE YOU, ASH! In an absolutely ARO/ACE kind of way. (Finally, I'm sure about saying something like that!) Thanks again, everyone.

[@_madikorn_]

I know it's been like a year, but thank you so much for putting this series together and introducing so many people. I'm so glad this information is out there and it really helps to know that people fall all over the spectrum.

[@willneverforgets3341]

I just happened to find that the "aces" here are all quite cute!!! LOL

[@berniiequack]

i would love for the ABC's of LGBTQIA+ to become an informative book!!! :D maybe we'll see that soon??? *fingers crossed*

[@syddlinden8966]

Of course ace people are a part of the LGBT+ community! It includes everyone who's not straight cis. I really don't think that's complicated. And people who say they aren't, need to self assess a minute and stop discriminating. I love the way the misconceptions list worked out! That sassy sarcasm was awesome! ^_^ Finally, I have to say, at the end there it really bothered me that the girl with the braided pigtails said "masturbate" like it was a bad word. Yeah, it's rude to ask random strangers stuff like that just because they informed you they're ace (if you wouldn't ask your mother, don't ask randos you've just met.), but it's not a bad thing. And hushing perpetuates the myth that masturbation is bad, or taboo, or unhealthy - a myth that is EXTREMELY HARMFUL to people all over the world. The lies perpetuated in the Victorian era are still prevalent, and that's NOT okay.

[@BannedFromTheaters]

+Sydd Linden I mean, I totally agree that masturbation shouldn't be a taboo, but some people just don't like it. And just with sex, the fact that A LOT of people keep arguing that "everybody wants sex" and "you'll like it someday too!" is incredibly harmful. Instead of saying "everybody wants sex and wants to masturbate!!"(which is what some people argue to get away from the Victorian era taboo) we should argue "masturbate as little or much as you like!" same goes for (consensual) sex of course. I know you didn't argue that everyone wants to masturbate, but I just wanted to show the perspective from a sex-repulsed ace like myself who had to learn that it's also totally okay to NOT want to masturbate and/or have sex, despite telling society tell me I SHOULD like it, despite it being ""sinful"".

[@syddlinden8966]

+BannedFromZoos I understand and agree completely. But if someone is going to talk about it in an informative manner, as here, it was very jarring to hear it said as if it's dirtier than sex itself. That's all. Maybe I misinterpreted her tone there. I actually *hope I simply misinterpreted her tone. I certainly don't think we should push anything on anyone who doesn't want it. But the shaming that still goes on, especially in certain religious communities, causes unhealthy repression and self hate for feelings that are totally natural. Just like sexual people telling aces they just need to get laid. I'm seeing these things from both sides of the fence - as a heterosexual and as a sex repulsed bigender. Either side being shamed or pushed is unacceptable. ...It kind of hurt to think she's ashamed of the word, that's all...

[@StargateUnending]

+Sydd Linden I hope I'm right, but I think she said it like that because it's not really appropriate for strangers to ask a personal question like that. I agree that that sort of shaming is really bad though, hence why I hope I'm right in my interpretation.

[@parasympatheticwitch]

thank you so much. i'm having such a crisis at the moment and this series was so interesting and helpful. you pushed me in the right direction! thank you for all the work you guys put into this

[@ZaydaFleming]

As a cis-female who has never felt much internal conflict over my heteronormative upbringing this series was really enlightening. Thank you so much for putting this together. I shall use this new knowledge to help me keep from putting my foot in my mouth in the future.

[@skylamessenger1957]

I wish i had seen this series when I was younger. such a good resource for confused/young asexuals. one time my closest friend happened to be gay and when I came came out to them they told me "no offense but I don't believe in in asexuality" heart breaking to say the least. not to mention the spell check on my phone always changes asexuality to sexuality 😥 I'm so glad to see sexuality become validated in the publics eye and to have more ace representation in media

[@aroace7913]

Yeah it is really sad to see that people in the LGBT + treat us like the enemies of the LGBT +.

[@iliveonatropicalisland6086]

This serie is awesome!! As an Asian straight girl, it is really difficult for me to get knowledge about the ace/aro community.

[@charlycheer]

Yay it's great to see Vesper make an appearance.

[@astromoonie]

yeah, when people try to downplay the struggles of people who exist under the ACE umbrella, I don't understand. 'corrective' assault, 'corrective' rape, therapies, hormone treatments, etc. I'm not trying to minimize the rest of the lgbtqia community's struggles, especially because those things above _also_ affect other sexualities, genders, and romantic orientations in the community, but it ain't a contest and shit can suck for all of us sometimes

[@garfieldboi524]

Ashley, you are the real MVP. Thank you for keeping me informed about the ever-expanding LGBTQIA* vocabulary and terms. I actually feel akin to several different orientations used in these videos, and it was really helpful.

[@Fashiongirl-pz4bt]

I have no idea how many times I just yelled "someone gets it" or "thank fucking God!"....I'm the only asexual Ik of in my school so I don't have anyone to rant to about this....😂😂

[@EllenJones]

May have talked about this series in front of 500 11-15 year olds in assembly oops. I regret nothing.

[@Doublerainbowzebra]

+NeedForCaffeine you should do a tour

[@deemoore97]

It's wonderful that you're spreading awareness, especially at that young age. Did you show just the ace/aro series or did you show some other ABCs of LGBT?

[@loner844]

+sexyaussiekirkland yes, she has, check her channel

[@EllenJones]

+sexyaussiekirkland we didn't show the video but talked about the series (the assembly was on LGBT+ history month) and we've made poster/articles on identities including ace/aro x

[@Shoot4AlarmFire]

+NeedForCaffeine Haha! I love it!

[@glittertrollz2832]

I've actually seen exclusionists use the term "asexy" as a sort of slur? Like when they made fun of *us*

[@mardivuolo7787]

GlitterTrollz exactly. My """""""mother"""""""" calls me asexy to make fun of me for being asexual. (Sorry for eventual grammar errors im italian ^^)

[@serabertrand3545]

Yeah, that's gonna happen regardless of the terminology we use. Personally I'd rather not have to switch terminology every few months purely because of aphobes being dicks.

[@greenegal2737]

Thank you so so much for making this series!! It was extremely, incredibly helpful! I didn't realize that everyone else was different from me. I just assumed that I was "innocent"/ "naive", as that was usually the response I got when I didn't understand something to do w/ my friends' sex lives. Earlier this week, I discovered that there was a word for how I feel. I delved into the internet to understand what asexuality is and I found this series, which helped me understand what asexuality meant and led me to the KZbin asexuality community. I never knew that there was a distinction between sexual and romantic attraction! I knew that the A stood for asexuality as well as ally, but I had always assumed that it meant that you had no attraction to anyone whatsoever. This series, along w/ several other of the tons of videos I watched, helped me to realize that I am asexual and might be grey-romantic. My entire life makes so much more sense now! So thank you again!!

[@izzyd8643]

These videos were amazing and has helped me learn a lot about a topic I didn't know much about. Thank you for making these and to everyone who helped make them. I'm sure these videos have helped many people understand more about the ace community!!!

[@whomstwingy4034]

OMFG I JUST REALISED MY CURRENT CRUSH IN HIGH SCHOOL WEARS A BLACK RING AROUND HIS MIDDLE FINDER ON HIS RIGHT HAND KILL ME

[@stefanitaalexandru8132]

Tell him that you are interested in knowing more about asexuality ,step 2 : invite him at your home ,step 3 : try to touch him in the sexual area as to see if he is not lying

[@rosedesbles3829]

@@stefanitaalexandru8132 Congrats, what you're suggesting is assault. How would you feel if someone you're not sexually attracted to made a move in order to see if you're lying about your orientation?

[@stefanitaalexandru8132]

@@rosedesbles3829 lols it was a joke ,dafuq ....

[@youtubeaccount6726]

@@stefanitaalexandru8132 that's not a joke ulol.

[@erinpeterson3202]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! AT SOME POINT I AM GOING TO SEND THIS SERIES TO MY MOM TO EXPLAIN MY ORIENTATION (once im not scared to)

[@colinlaw8342]

as far as im concerned the a in lgbtqa+ stands for ace and not ally

[@a.j8307]

I think it stands for Attack Helicopter.

[@colinlaw8342]

haha yay death . . .

[@aroace7913]

But why do people say we are not a part of the LGBT+ ?

[@colinlaw8342]

coz there dumb hahah jkjk

[@jendergirlos]

there is no a in LGBT. and historically when there was an a IT DID stand for ally, ally was actually there to give closeted LGBT people a way of entering LGBT spaces without outing themselves.

[@brittanyerinxx]

I really appreciate all the work you did to make all these videos and it was really nice to see something that helped me feel a bit more comfortable with my sexuality and knowing I'm not alone. Thank you!

[@amyelizabeth1783]

You are all STUNNING! I cannot thank you enough for making these videos!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!