Let's talk a little more about the asexual symbols and stuff

[Mistah J]

I'm still confused about the half black upside-down triangle that represents asexuality(http://asexual-deviants.deviantart.com/). Could we please talk a little more about this stuff (asexual symbols, flags, definitions and other things like those)? I would really appreciate if AVENguy or anyone else who invented these things would post a sticky thread in which everything about this should be explained...

Anyways... I've gathered everything I could find about asexuality on the internet...

http://asexual-pride.deviantart.com/

http://www.glandscape.com/celibate.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asexuality

http://edition.cnn.com/2004/TECH/science/1.../asexual.study/

http://www.asexualove.net/

http://www.asexualpals.com/

http://www.slweekly.com/editorial/2004/feat_2004-09-16.cfm

http://dir.salon.com/story/mwt/feature/200...l/index_np.html

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=asexual

http://jscms.jrn.columbia.edu/cns/2005-04-...vey-asexuallove

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/main.jht...hcelibate13.xml

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10712072/

http://www.alternet.org/story/35138/

http://health.discovery.com/centers/sex/se...ia/asexual.html

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,8123-1391523,00.html

http://www.answers.com/topic/sex-asexual

http://www.dwblog.net/?p=1455

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/09/fashion/...nyt&emc=rss

http://www.nndb.com/lists/913/000116565/

http://www.biology-online.org/biology-forum/post-58358.html

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Columnists/Colum...1253301,00.html

http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/9060/82735

http://www.boingboing.net/2004/10/18/asexual_pride.html

http://asexuality.meetup.com/

http://members.aol.com/swankivy/nonsex.html

http://www.ringsurf.com/netring?action=inf...p;ring=celibate

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celibacy

http://www.angelfire.com/ga2/religious/celibacy.html

http://www.libchrist.com/bible/celibacy.html

http://www.tfp.org/TFPForum/catholic_persp...of_celibacy.htm

http://www.rotten.com/library/sex/virginity/

http://www.cassavafilms.com/list9_2002/list9_021102.html

http://ronmaydon.blogspot.com/2003_11_01_r...on_archive.html

http://www.cartoonstock.com/directory/c/celibate.asp

I'll try to look for more... You do the same! :D

[abbadis]

wow, this is interesting, I´ll take a look. But earlier today I was thinking that the amoeba would be a good symbol or perhaps a "lucky" animal or something for the asexual, I don´t know if I´m crasy but I think it´s a great idea, hehe ;)

[Amcan]

That's a lotta links...

[Eli_Diallo]

But earlier today I was thinking that the amoeba would be a good symbol

I don't like amoebas; it's no fun when they get into your digestive system. I guess a harmless species like Entamoeba dispar would be okay, but unfortunately it looks pretty much identical to Entamoeba histolytica, which definitely falls into the "no fun" category.

[Dargon]

Concerning the triangle:

Way back in the day, people said "ok, everyone is hetersexual," so there was a point on the chart representing everyone. (one of the upper corners of the triangle)

Then someone said, "wait, some people are homosexual," so there was another point (the other upper corner)

Then someone said "wait, what about people who like both," so a point in the middle was added.

THen someone said "I think it's more a continum rather than three points" so a line made connecting the dots (top line of the triangle)

Then we came along and said "wait, we don't fit on that scale" and thus another point was added (bottom corner).

Since there is not a real distinction as to where asexuality begins and ends, there is a gradient in the triangle, rather than a sudden shift.

[Porcelain]

That first link (the one to Deviant Art) seriously misrepresents the asexual community. I'm not even going to bother looking at the rest.

[Charlieee]

And a lot of those links were also directed towards celibacy, not asexuality. Remember, there's a difference

Asexuality is an orientation, as in it's directly related to your attraction and preferences.

Celibacy is a choice, as in it's completely of free will, and you still experience sexual attraction.

Of course it's a lot broader/fuzzier than that, but it's the general idea. Not all celibates are asexual, and not all asexuals are celibate :D

[Octarine]

Perhaps if we wanted an animal symbol, an owl. That's the symbol of the greek goddess Athena, also known as Athena Parthenos, or "Athena the Virgin". She was asexual. And, yeah, I don't like that deviantart site either. Since when are we against love? *runs off singing Moulin Rouge*

[Goonie]

That's a lotta links...

:shock: you took the words there

[KAGU143]

You could save yourself a lot of trouble by checking through all of the many pages in World Watch.

Someday, when the serach function is fixed, (fingers crossed!) it will be possible to find all sorts of threads about the various proposed symbols for asexuality, as well as the origin of our current logo and it's upgrade a few years ago.

It used to be a triangle with a solid black tip. The problem with that was that it was either/or and didn't have a place for those who have asexual tendencies but aren't quite 100% asexual.

I came up with a prototype drawing that had the black tip blending into grey instead of having a sharp dividing line between black and white, Dargon fixed the graphics, and DJ liked it so he changed it on the site.

Also, if I were going to choose another life form to be our mascot, I would pick a honeybee, not an amoeba.

-GB

[Goonie]

I came up with a prototype drawing that had the black tip blending into grey instead of having a sharp dividing line between black and white, Dargon fixed the graphics, and DJ liked it so he changed it on the site.

if memory serves me correctly that thread is in site comments...

If I find it I will link it in this post

[Parth]

Perhaps if we wanted an animal symbol, an owl. That's the symbol of the greek goddess Athena, also known as Athena Parthenos, or "Athena the Virgin". She was asexual. And, yeah, I don't like that deviantart site either. Since when are we against love? *runs off singing Moulin Rouge*

:D

[PollyB]

I think some of us already know about some of those links - I've even picked up somewhere that a couple of Avenites are on deviantart but wasn't impressed by this link and know nothing else about it. I agree with others that the celibacy links aren't really us.

I like the shaded triangle. I'm OK with running jokes about amoeba, but being a bit literal, there's always the problem that we aren't actually talking about methods of reproduction. I really like the suggestion of Athene's owl, but guess not everybody will (biased in favour of goddesses, aren't I?)

[abbadis]

I didn´t like ameobas at first but I love them now, just think of the art that would be possible to make with those little blobs? But as a symbol goes, it´s not very flattering. I think it would be absolutely funny to have the amoeba thing turned to our advantage though, hehe. It´s almost always a part of scholarly discussions about asexuality - wich I think is creepy, hehe

I don´t see the owl connected to asexuality at all, (maybe because it flies through the night alone?) they are too involved with librarians and other groups, like witches. But I like owls very much, it would be a good symbol but it´s not a "great" symbol for asexuality. I´d go for the bumble-bee suggestion,because there you pretty much have an animal that is working for the good of nature without having sex.

[abbadis]

"Athena the Virgin". She was asexual.

I like Athena, maybe she could be our protectress? if people don´t find it to idolotry like, it´s fine with me. I´m gonna go and read more about her.

The links were ok, the ones that I checked out were all about asexuality from diffrent angles. Some were really fun, others not so much. I didn´t see anything asexual at deviant art so I left right away to save time, hehe lucky me

[Knlys]

Uh..I've been doodeling some amoebas lately...just thinking maybe I could make some pins (hu I'm not sure of the word "pins", but whatever stuff people pin on their clothes, bags..) with an amoeba on it.

[smellincoffee]

"Athena the Virgin". She was asexual.

I like Athena, maybe she could be our protectress? if people don´t find it to idolotry like, it´s fine with me. I´m gonna go and read more about her.

The links were ok, the ones that I checked out were all about asexuality from diffrent angles. Some were really fun, others not so much. I didn´t see anything asexual at deviant art so I left right away to save time, hehe lucky me

I've always had a thing for Athena -- but were any of the male Greek gods virginal? I doubt it, seems as if they were too busy plowing around with humans...

[Parth]

(hu I'm not sure of the word "pins", but whatever stuff people pin on their clothes, bags..)

Where I live they're called badges, in America they're called buttons.

[Octarine]

I don´t see the owl connected to asexuality at all, (maybe because it flies through the night alone?) they are too involved with librarians and other groups, like witches. But I like owls very much, it would be a good symbol but it´s not a "great" symbol for asexuality. I´d go for the bumble-bee suggestion,because there you pretty much have an animal that is working for the good of nature without having sex.

Athena's symbol was an owl. That's why people nowadays refer to owls as wise.

[Parth]

Actually a few months ago I was intending on making a website for asexual Pagans. The Athena/owl idea is quite good for at least that website. If I ever make it.

[ewallace]

I've always had a thing for Athena -- but were any of the male Greek gods virginal? I doubt it, seems as if they were too busy plowing around with humans...

I think that in the Odyssey, Athena had two forms: Pallis Athena (male) and Grey-eyed Athena (female). At least that's how I understood it.

And I'm a pretty big athena fan, so sounds good to me.

-E

[spinneret]

As far as I know Pallas Athene was just another epithet for Athena, like the Grey-eyed or Parthenos. Some of the Homeric characters had several poetic epithets.

The "Pallas" is from the story of when Athena was young and accidentally killed a friend or playmate called Pallas, and in mourning she took the name Pallas as a sign of remembrance.

I know there are several celibate gods, some of whom may be construed as asexual, but I'm drawing a blank. I think I remember something from Wikipedia, but I'm not finding it.

[Inconspicuous]

The asexual-pride Deviantart community is fail.

http://asexual-deviants.deviantart.com

[hydrae]

I too like the idea of an owl as an asexual symbol. And an owl has a more serious tone than an amoeba. But I'm not sure most people would understand what the connection is.

Though I really don't have an qualms with the amoeba either.

Both creatures are more aesthetically pleasing than the traingle, in my opinion.