Abstract: This report sheds light on the key challenges that the asexual community faces in Asia, particularly focusing on issues of invisibility, stigma, discrimination, violence, and lack of support. Despite being a part of the broader queer movement, asexuality often remains overlooked, with a limited acknowledgment of asexual hate crimes. This report emphasizes the unique challenges asexual individuals’ encounter, especially in countries like Bangladesh, where factors such as forced marriages, corrective rape, conversion therapy, and legal barriers exacerbate their struggles. The report concludes by highlighting the need for increased awareness, advocacy, and funding to support the asexual community in Asia.

Introduction: The asexual community, or A-Spec, is a marginalized group within the broader queer movement. Despite growing acceptance and recognition of various sexual orientations, asexuality often remains sidelined in discussions and initiatives related to LGBTQ+ rights. This report aims to shed light on the key challenges faced by the asexual community in Asia, focusing on issues of invisibility, stigma, discrimination, violence, and lack of support.

Challenges:

1. Invisibility and Stigma: A major challenge for the asexual community in Asia is the lack of visibility and understanding. Asexuality, defined by a lack of sexual attraction, is frequently misunderstood or dismissed as a phase or a form of repression. This lack of recognition leads to feelings of isolation and erasure, contributing to the overall stigma faced by asexual individuals.
2. Discrimination and Violence: Asexual individuals in Asia often face discrimination, both within the larger queer community and in society at large. Asexual hate crimes are rarely acknowledged or addressed, perpetuating an environment where violence against asexual individuals can go unchecked. Asexual teenagers and young adults may come out to confront sex shaming, which can result in verbal and emotional abuse.
3. Forced Marriages and Corrective Rape: A unique challenge faced by asexual women in certain Asian countries is forced marriage. Many women, especially in low-income families, are financially dependent on their fathers or husbands. Pressure to arrange marriages often leads to a lack of agency in choosing their partners, and some asexual women run away to escape this pressure. Corrective rape, intended to “cure” asexual individuals through sexual assault, disproportionately affects asexual women, perpetuating gender-based violence and victimization.
4. Conversion Therapy: A deeply concerning challenge is the practice of conversion therapy. Asexual individuals are often treated as having a sexual dysfunction that requires “conversion” to a normative sexual orientation. This treatment involves acts of physical, psychological, and sexual abuse, leading to lasting psychological and physical damage. The normalization of such harmful therapies further perpetuates the stigma and misunderstanding surrounding asexuality.

Case Study: Dipa Mahbuba Yasmin in Bangladesh: Dipa Mahbuba Yasmin’s experience highlights the challenges faced by asexual individuals in Bangladesh. Her encounters with doctors attempting to treat her orientation as a disorder demonstrate the lack of mental health support and understanding for asexuality. Yasmin’s reliance on online therapy from India underscores the scarcity of resources available for asexual individuals in Bangladesh.

Legal and Cultural Barriers: In certain Asian countries, including those with Muslim Sharia law, forced marriages and marital rape remain legal. Asexual women, constrained by these laws, often find themselves trapped in unhappy and abusive marriages. The limited legal avenues for seeking divorce further exacerbate their struggles.

Lack of Support and Funding: While asexual activism is growing globally, the asexual community in Asia still faces significant challenges in terms of funding and support. Compared to other LGBTQ+ issues, asexuality remains underfunded and less acknowledged by both local and international organizations.

Conclusion: The asexual community in Asia confronts numerous challenges, ranging from invisibility and stigma to violence and legal barriers. Forced marriages, corrective rape, conversion therapy, and cultural norms perpetuate these issues, particularly affecting asexual women. The lack of awareness, support, and funding further compounds these challenges. To address these issues, there is a need for increased advocacy, education, and financial resources dedicated to supporting the asexual community’s rights and well-being in Asia. Recognizing asexuality as a valid sexual orientation and acknowledging the unique struggles it presents is essential to fostering a more inclusive and equitable society for all.

Celebrating Hope and Unity:

Empowering the Asexual Community in the Asian Region

In the vibrant tapestry of the LGBTQ+ community in Asia, the asexual community stands as a powerful testament to the diversity of human experience and identity. From raising awareness about asexual hate crimes to fostering meaningful connections and providing visibility to asexual activism, the Asian Network of Asexual and Queer Activism (ANOAQA) is paving the way for a more inclusive and empowered future.

A Voice against Asexual Hate Crimes

In many parts of Asia, asexual hate crimes often go unreported and unnoticed in mainstream media. ANOAQA has taken a courageous stance to address this issue head-on by disseminating information about such incidents. By raising awareness about these issues, ANOAQA is not only giving a voice to victims but also sparking vital conversations that challenge discrimination and promote understanding. Together, we can work to stop asexual hate crimes and create safer communities for all.

Fostering Connections and Personal Growth

ANOAQA has become a beacon of hope for Asian asexual individuals, providing them with a platform to engage and connect with each other. Through this network, asexual individuals can share their experiences, find support, and nurture meaningful relationships. The platform also offers opportunities for personal development, empowering individuals to learn, grow, and flourish in an environment that celebrates their uniqueness.

Visibility and Recognition of Asexual Activism

Asexual activism often remains overlooked within the larger LGBTQ+ community. ANOAQA is changing that narrative by shining a spotlight on asexual activists’ important contributions. By recognizing the efforts of asexual activists, we reinforce the idea that every voice within the LGBTQ+ spectrum matters and is integral to creating a more inclusive world.

Empowering Emerging Asexual Activists

The future of the LGBTQ+ movement relies on the leadership of emerging activists. ANOAQA is committed to nurturing young asexual activists, providing them with the tools, guidance, and mentorship they need to take their place as leaders within the contemporary queer landscape. By supporting these activists, we are ensuring a brighter and more empowered tomorrow.

Equal Opportunities for All Genders

At the heart of ANOAQA’s mission is the commitment to equal opportunities for all genders. Recognizing that gender identity is multifaceted and complex, the platform advocates for a world where everyone, regardless of their gender, can express themselves authentically and without fear of discrimination.

Creating Safe Spaces for Dialogue and Celebration

ANOAQA’s annual online seminar is a testament to its dedication to fostering dialogue and education. Activists, academics, cultural representatives, and curators come together to explore critical issues faced by the asexual community and the broader LGBTQ+ spectrum. Practical workshops empower volunteers to actively contribute to the movement, amplifying its impact.

Exploring Art and Identity

Art has always been a powerful medium for expressing complex emotions and identities. ANOAQA explores the international arena of art by LGBTQ+ artists from Asia, providing a platform for these artists to share their unique perspectives and experiences. Through art, we can bridge gaps, spark conversations, and challenge societal norms.

Engaging Wider Audiences through Celebration

The Asexual Pride Asia online Festival is a grand celebration that goes beyond the confines of the LGBTQ+ community, engaging wider audiences in important conversations around LGBTQ+ identities. By celebrating diversity and inclusivity, the festival creates space for dialogue, understanding, and acceptance.

In a world that is continually evolving, ANOAQA shines as a beacon of hope and unity for the asexual community in the Asian region. Through their tireless efforts, they are fostering a brighter future where diversity is celebrated, hate is challenged, and every individual is empowered to live their truth authentically.

The Asian Network of Asexual and Queer Activism (ANOAQA) emerged as a beacon of hope, a platform where the asexual community could finally come together to raise their voices, share their stories, and build a brighter future.

ANOAQA’s first mission was to shed light on a pressing issue that had long been ignored by mainstream media: asexual hate crimes across Asia. Through tireless efforts and collaboration with local activists, ANOAQA began disseminating information about these crimes, ensuring that every victim’s story was heard, acknowledged, and amplified. The collective outcry sparked a wave of awareness that led to more effective actions being taken to prevent such hate crimes from continuing.

Fostering meaningful connections became the cornerstone of ANOAQA’s work. They provided a safe and inclusive space for Asian Asexual Queer individuals to engage with the platform, connect with like-minded individuals, and explore opportunities for personal growth and development. Through online forums, workshops, and virtual meetups, a strong sense of community flourished, nurturing a support network that was essential for the emotional well-being of those who often felt marginalized.

ANOAQA was more than just a community; it was a movement that aimed to bring asexual activism into the spotlight of the larger LGBTQ+ community. By collaborating with other LGBTQ+ organizations and participating in pride events across Asia, ANOAQA ensured that asexuality was recognized as a valid and integral part of the broader spectrum of queer identities.

As the movement gained momentum, ANOAQA turned its focus to the future, nurturing young and emerging asexual activists to become leaders in the contemporary queer landscape. Through mentorship programs, leadership workshops, and skill-building seminars, ANOAQA empowered these activists to continue driving change in their communities and beyond.

ANOAQA’s commitment to equal opportunities was unwavering. They advocated tirelessly for gender equality, ensuring that every gender was respected, represented, and celebrated. In a world that often disregarded or misunderstood asexuality, ANOAQA stood as a beacon of inclusion and understanding.

Specialist audiences found solace in ANOAQA’s initiatives as well. Asexual communities had the chance to openly share their experiences alongside allo sexual LGBTQI+ individuals. The platform provided a protected environment where they could engage in conversations, celebrate their pride, and learn from one another.

ANOAQA’s annual online seminar brought together activists, cultural representatives, academics, and curators from all corners of Asia. This event explored the intricate issues faced by the asexual community and fostered thoughtful discussions that led to actionable solutions. Practical workshops were offered to volunteers, equipping them with the tools needed to continue making a difference.

Artistic expression was not left behind either. ANOAQA showcased the international arena of LGBTQ+ art from Asia, giving talented artists a platform to share their stories and perspectives. The movement extended its reach beyond the LGBTQ+ community, engaging wider audiences in vital dialogues around LGBTQ+ identities through the Asexual Pride Asia online Festival.

What began as a spark of hope evolved into a roaring flame of change. ANOAQA’s tireless dedication to the asexual community in the Asian region was transforming lives, breaking down barriers, and paving the way for a future where every individual, regardless of their sexual orientation, could stand proud and united.