Ace/Aro Spectrum Visibility Research

[Ivee]

Hello everyone!

 

My name is Ivee and I am doing informal research about the asexual/aromantic community for a project in one of my classes this semester in order to teach others more about the importance of ace/aro visibility. 

 

I would really appreciate it if you could help me by indicating the following to me in the comments of this post:

 

1. Do you identify as being on the ace spectrum, the aro spectrum, or both.
2. How old you were when you first identified as being on the ace/aro spectrum  (whichever came first if you answered both to the previous question)? 

[spooky_moss]

I identify on both the ace spectrum and the aro spectrum. I was 19 years old when I first identified as ace and aro (both were at the same time).

[x.toby.x]

1. I am asexual, but not arospec.

2. I'm not sure on the exact age, but I was in middle school. So probably around 13-14? Possibly even 15.

[Artemis42]

I identify as ace-spec. I started identifying this way or at least started exploring my identity when I was 15. I also briefly identified as aro-spec when I was 16 but eventually realized that wasn’t accurate, and no longer identify that way.

[andever]

1. Ace, but not aro.

2. 26-27? Ish?

[Janus DarkFox]

Moved to Visibility and Education Projects

 

Janus DarkFox

Cover Welcome Lounge, Weekends Asexual Relationships, Current Questions about Asexuality, Asexual Musings and Rantings & Open Mic Moderator

[Aelin Galathynius]

I was 15 when I came across the term asexual, and started identifying with it at 16. Around the same time I was exploring other sexualities, and discovered panromantic, so I'm not on the aro spectrum.

 

[HairyFace]

1. Ace and aro

2. When I was growing up in the 1990s asexuality wasn't really known or understood and it wasn't until I was 21 that I discovered AVEN, which was in its infancy, and I finally had a word to describe myself. I came out as ace at 22. As for coming out as aro, aromanticism wasn't known or understood until later and I think I first identified as aro and came out as aro in my early 30s.

[Steel13]

1. Ace (still questioning aro)

2. I officially started identifying as ace when I was 20, though I was pretty sure I was ace at 17 or 18.

[hikarin]

1) Asexual and Aromantic

2) 23 for both, first ace and aro a couple of days later

[Plantbasedme]

1.- Ace, and questioning aro

2.- 18ish

[nazokashii]

1. Ace, questioning arospec

2. 23

[mozart]

1. Ace and Aro

2. 25

[Regulus]

I am asexual, but am not at all aromantic.

 

I was 42.  In retrospect, I've known all my adult life, but it wasn't until that age that I found out that asexuality was a thing.   But I was 42 when I realized there was a label to be put on it.

[Tunhope]

2 hours ago, Regulus said:

I am asexual, but am not at all aromantic.

 

I was 42.  In retrospect, I've known all my adult life, but it wasn't until that age that I found out that asexuality was a thing.   But I was 42 when I realized there was a label to be put on it.

Exactly the same for me, except you can add a good 20 years to Regulus's 42.

[ContentedCentipede]

1. I am both asexual and aromantic.

2. I found AVEN, and learned about asexuality and aromanticism when I was 19 - and I quickly realized that the words and community fit with the way I've always felt (but had been unable to explain).

[Rainy Robin]

1. I'm aroace (so I'm on both the aromantic and asexual spectrums).

2. I first identified as aroace at 21 years old, though I would've done so earlier had I known about aspec identities.

[bfheejuns]

1. I'm Aro-Ace

2. I think I was roughly 14? 15? when I started identifying on the ace spectrum (demi at first) and I was roughly 17 or 18 when I identified as being aromantic

[ShantheTato]

1. Ace and questioning aro

2. I learned I was ace at 28. I didn't learn what asexuality was until then

[phoenix_fire]

1. Ace, but not aro

2. I felt different from my peers starting as early as 11, but I didn't start identifying as ace until I was 15 or 16

[VeryAsexyIndeed]

1. As of now I identify as both ace and aro✌️🥰

2. I’m not out yet but I learned about the terms and started using them for myself on AVEN this year, so 15✌️
 

That’s a really cool project to do! I love that you’re doing that! 🖤🤍💜👌🥰

[apologetically_alix]

1. I identify as both aromantic and asexual

2. I realised I was ace first, when I was 13, and aro not long after but I was questioning for a while

[Marrow_]

1. I identify as being on the Asexual spectrum and might be questioning being on the Aromantic Spectrum.

2. I realised I was an Asexual at 16 when someone told me no one has a, "cloths on" kink and I finally realised that real people actually have physical intercourse.

[ElusiveCreature]

1. I identify as ace and aro-spec.

2. I first heard the term by chance when I was 15, but dismissed my very, very strong inclination due to a poor understanding of what asexuality actually was. I was 19 when I realised it explained so much about the world, and then I began identifying as such.

[SpadeHood]

1. I identify as Ace! No matter HOW many times someone tries to explain romantic attraction to me, I just don't get it... so I guess I'm Aro? Please don't tell me; 'cause I give up. 🤣

 

2. I was 19! I logged on to CNN one day, and on the front page somewhere, I saw someone explaining A-sexuality (I think it was the founder).

 

I believe the Ace came first! but Aro...dropped it like a hot potato (again and again) when ever I realize  I don't understand it (back to the drawing board)! 😆

[Lytsedraak]

1: I'm ace, not aro

2: I was 37 when I realised I was and always had been asexual.

[PandoraSage]

I identify as asexual, not aromantic.

I was 43 when I learned I was asexual but had always been.

[RhysM]

Hi, I identify as greysexual and biromantic, so on both spectrums. I learned about this when I was 19, both at the same time.

[PermianElle]

1) Definitely on the ace spectrum, possibly on the aro spectrum. I want a romantic relationship, but I don't feel romantic emotions often. (Once so far in 30 years). So probably demi-romantic.

 

2) I put a title to it around 28, but I always knew I wasn't interested in sex. I just thought it was normal and people that were interested in sex were extra-hormonal. 

[Bilge]

1. I identify as aromantic and ace

 

2. Firstly, I learned the term of "asexual" when I was 15. But almost one year later, I learned about romantic orientations. When I was 19, I realized not every aro like me, there is more micro-label on the aro spectrum and I'm apothi-aro (apothiromantic-aromantic)