2023.05 67-3 A Study on Asexual Self-identification Process in Taiwan
With the evolution of the times, the issue of "multiple sexuality" (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/ questioning, intersex, ally/asexual: LGBTQIA) has gradually received attention from the public. Based on current research results and the public's understanding of LGBTQIA, we see a gradual decrease of knowledge by each ascending order of abbreviations. "Asexuality" is the fourth sexual orientation trend independent of heterosexuality, homosexuality, and bisexuality. There are fewer than 20 studies on asexuality conducted both domestically and internationally. In Taiwan, the only study that has been published on the subject was Wang's (2014) "Love without Sex: Asexual Experiences in a Sexualized Society". This suggests that the topic of asexuality has received limited attention from the academic community over the past seven years. The awareness of asexuality has stagnated. This research aims to understand the identity process of Taiwan's asexual identity, as well as the appearance of romantic attraction and sexual desire. Six asexual interviewees were invited to participate in the interviews. The data analysis adopted a narrative research "category-content" to treat asexuality as a subject and conduct cross-case data analysis. The results showed that although the six interviewees had common experiences, individual differences were significant. Not every interviewee followed a linear journey toward their identity. Before identity, they felt a slight difference in sexuality between "romantic attraction" and "sexual desire." There are four pattern they faced four ways: did not care, remained confused, rationalized, and pathological. Even if they had heard of the term asexuality, it was not easy for them to connect it with their own situation. There were two paths starting from the "turning point." The first path was sufficient internal and external stimuli, while consciously exploring the term asexuality, infiltrating the personal pass of romantic attraction and lightly, connect quickly, and then consciously explore the term asexuality." Only "slightly" compares one's own situation, even in the interview process, "not" describes that comparing past experiences immediately produces belonging, similar to completing an "administrative task," such as "Oh, my vote is based on the neighborhood"; "Vote somewhere" is just an administrative action. The six interviewees actively or passively explored the term "asexuality" at this stage. Most of them searched for online information and joined asexuality clubs. They connected "asexuality" with their own experiences and completed their identity. In addition, asexual romantic attraction and sexual desire presents multiple appearances. The appearance of romantic attractions includes: (1) No feeling for "anything"; (2) I do not know what "jealousy" is; (3) I just like this friend very much; (4) A relationship that is too close is suffocating; and (5) I love one thing very much. The appearance of sexual desire includes: (1) sexual fantasies, nothing, sexual interaction from the third perspective, and virtual people; (2) physical touch: from rejection to acceptance; (3) regarding masturbation, only at the physiological level; (4) sexual behavior: anti-sex to acceptable, and (5) the film presents an erotic reaction: "I feel like I am being harassed, unnecessary erotic clips, just selling sensationalism." Finally, suggestions for future research and practice are presented. Suggestions for future research: (1) heterogeneity in the asexual community is high, and it is necessary to expand each combination in the group or choose a deeper understanding and (2) understanding asexual intimacy from a "relational orientation" or "system theory." Suggestions for counseling: (1) enhance the sensitivity of multicounseling culture and explore the appearance of "romantic attraction" and "sexual desire" in detail; (2) counselors must reflect on the perspective of "sexual values" and the expansion of "sex-related issues" and (3) it is strongly recommended that gender education and sex education textbooks in national and senior high schools should include the concept of asexuality.
Keywords
Asexuality, identity, romantic orientation, sexual desire, sexual orientation
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