11 Things to Know About Asexuality (A Slam Poem)
1. According to Merriam-Webster, there are two definitions for asexuality. One; of or relating to a kind of reproduction that does not involve the combining of male and female cells. Two; not having or including sex. I am not the first one.
2. I am not celibate. I am not sex-repulsed, I am not unable to have sex, I am not giving up on love. I carry love high above my head, far away from my nether regions, not because I choose it, but because I was born with that halo. And I embrace it.
3. I don't gravitate towards procreation the way teenage boys gravitate towards tight tank tops or the way old white men gravitate towards conservative church sermons and hawaiian shirts.
4. Sex is like ice cream. It's not necessary for a good life, but for most people, it makes things a little bit better. What y'all have to realize is that asexual people don't need ice cream. But we can still have it on occasion, if our significant other has a taste for it.
5. The point is that there is no desire. It has always been this way. And I like it.
6. People are HOT. I will be the first to admit it. But it doesn't mean I want to have sex with them.
7. Picture this: You meet a nice boy. He's nice. So you talk to him. And slowly, the better friends you become, you realize that you like him. Somehow, you have fallen in love with his personality. Looks are a bonus, sex is irrelevant. Sound crazy? Well. That's how it is every day of my life.
8. I don't feel that I'm missing out on anything. Really, I don't. It's not about a lack of experience or a fear of trying. In fact, there are many asexual people who learned they were asexual AFTER they've had sex. They realize that it wasn't something they desired. So no, it's not because I can't “get some”, because believe me, I CAN.
9. Aromanticism is not the same thing. A guy can look at another girl, or guy, and think to himself, “I want to climb that like a tree”, and not want a romantic relationship. Similarly, that guy could ALSO be asexual, and think “I want to be their boyfriend” without having that sexual attraction. A person can even be both, just as they can be neither.
10. I realize that this probably doesn't apply to most of the people in this room, and that's okay. I'm me, and you're you. The world welcomes you whether or not you have stars in your eyes, or blank space. You are special for liking sex just as I am special for not.
11. No matter what anyone says, I will not tuck my sexuality into my back pocket and act like it doesn't weigh me down. No. I'm going to wear it as a backpack for everyone to see and to those that judge me for who I am, I don't care. Carry those heavy books in your hands. It's your loss. I am not lost.
2. I am not celibate. I am not sex-repulsed, I am not unable to have sex, I am not giving up on love. I carry love high above my head, far away from my nether regions, not because I choose it, but because I was born with that halo. And I embrace it.
3. I don't gravitate towards procreation the way teenage boys gravitate towards tight tank tops or the way old white men gravitate towards conservative church sermons and hawaiian shirts.
4. Sex is like ice cream. It's not necessary for a good life, but for most people, it makes things a little bit better. What y'all have to realize is that asexual people don't need ice cream. But we can still have it on occasion, if our significant other has a taste for it.
5. The point is that there is no desire. It has always been this way. And I like it.
6. People are HOT. I will be the first to admit it. But it doesn't mean I want to have sex with them.
7. Picture this: You meet a nice boy. He's nice. So you talk to him. And slowly, the better friends you become, you realize that you like him. Somehow, you have fallen in love with his personality. Looks are a bonus, sex is irrelevant. Sound crazy? Well. That's how it is every day of my life.
8. I don't feel that I'm missing out on anything. Really, I don't. It's not about a lack of experience or a fear of trying. In fact, there are many asexual people who learned they were asexual AFTER they've had sex. They realize that it wasn't something they desired. So no, it's not because I can't “get some”, because believe me, I CAN.
9. Aromanticism is not the same thing. A guy can look at another girl, or guy, and think to himself, “I want to climb that like a tree”, and not want a romantic relationship. Similarly, that guy could ALSO be asexual, and think “I want to be their boyfriend” without having that sexual attraction. A person can even be both, just as they can be neither.
10. I realize that this probably doesn't apply to most of the people in this room, and that's okay. I'm me, and you're you. The world welcomes you whether or not you have stars in your eyes, or blank space. You are special for liking sex just as I am special for not.
11. No matter what anyone says, I will not tuck my sexuality into my back pocket and act like it doesn't weigh me down. No. I'm going to wear it as a backpack for everyone to see and to those that judge me for who I am, I don't care. Carry those heavy books in your hands. It's your loss. I am not lost.
♠ ♠ ♠
I was thinking about performing this at an open mic night at my school (which is one of the most accepting LGBTQ+ communities in the nation) but I'm very new to spoken word, so if anyone has any critiques/suggestions, feel free to drop a comment or PM me. Your feedback and support is much appreciated :)