The diversity of asexual positions only highlights another aspect of the impossibility of the existence of the sexual relation. The notion that "there is no sexual relation" occupies a fundamental place, since it points to the impossibility of a true complementarity between the sexes. Within this framework, the term "asexual" can be understood as an inscription of this impossibility through a negation of the sexual. However, the proliferation of identities within the asexual spectrum is explained by the fact that there is no signifier capable of fully naming the hole that constitutes the sexual.
In an attempt to untangle the embroilment surrounding sexuality, AVEN—the Asexual Visibility and Education Network1—which aims, among other things, to provide information and build community, created the AVEN Triangle,2 a widely recognized symbol of asexuality. Its horizontal axis is based on the Kinsey scale, which measures the gender toward which attraction is oriented (from homosexuality to heterosexuality). Its vertical axis indicates the frequency or intensity of sexual attraction, from white (allosexuality) to black (asexuality), with a gray gradient representing the asexual spectrum.
This spectrum includes identities such as greysexuality, which describes people who experience sexual attraction infrequently or with low intensity. There is also demisexuality, in which sexual attraction appears only once a strong emotional bond has been established with another person. In the case of fraysexuality, attraction emerges at the beginning of a relationship but tends to disappear as the emotional bond grows. On the other hand, reciprosexuality manifests when attraction only appears if there is reciprocity on the part of the other person. These name diverse ways of being in the world, which are included within the broad spectrum of asexuality. In addition, each person may have a distinct romantic orientation (heteroromantic, homoromantic, aromantic, etc.), which adds further nuances to their experience. Thus, there are infinite combinations for infinite identities within the asexual spectrum.
The fact that there are infinite possibilities correlates with the fact that there is no single one that is correct. If the identities within the asexual spectrum are infinite, it is because there is no signifier capable of adequately naming the hole that refers to the sexual; there is an impossibility. Asexuals propose a solution to the non-complementarity of "there is no sexual relation" that proves useful for them.
As the somos_aces community says: "Labels are tools that help us make ourselves visible. We may use them or not. In any case, respect each person's orientation. Human reality is diverse."3
[1] The Asexual Visibility and Education Network (AVEN), Asexuality, available online: asexuality.org.
[2] AVENes (s.f.), Triángulo de AVEN, AVENwiki, available online in English: wiki.asexuality.org.
[3] somos_aces [@somos_aces] (23 January 2024), post previously available on instagram.com but now unavailable. Here, different identities within the asexual spectrum itself…
