Asexual is an umbrella term, with many other subcategories under it. Think of it as a spectrum. (AVEN is a great place to learn more www.asexuality.org)

I identify as Ace♤p; the umbrella term. But, if I feel the need to become specific I will say I am Aromantic-Apothisexual. I do have two children but their existence does not undermine who I am.

I am Ace♤, and I feel invisible within the QILTBAG+ community. There are not many like me. And I feel alone.

I am more than the category people try to place me in. But labels, as much as I loathe them, help me find like minded individuals; people who i know are like me. And as accepting and loving as others are, it's a phenomenal feeling when you find something you can belong to. When I search in meet up groups, when I introduce myself in social situations, THESE labels say things for me without me having to explain further.

I've met many amazing people, who for one reason or another want to date and I tell them up front I am Ace♤; I will never have sex with you, I will never kiss you, I will never encourage your touch. Many people do not want that ands I've lost out on getting to know someone. But if I don't tell them, I am viewed as dishonest or leading them on.

It's not just for romantic relationships. Labels matter with my friends because they need to know I am touch repulsed. A well meaning hug feels like a branding iron where we connect (I team that literally).. It hurts and I feel disgusted. I've been trained to hide my disgust but inside I'm raging. A label protects me from that.

There are instances where I want contact but is extremely rare to be from someone other than my children. Even with them, they ask and understand my cues.

There are many labels out there. When someone finds a word that THEY feel describes themselves, they'll use it. People, like language, evolve. Sometimes, we feel we need more labels to describe ourselves accurately. Sometimes, labels that seemed to fit before no longer do. If you'd like to know more, I'd be happy to talk with you; either here or in pm. I do not speak for all. I only speak for myself and of my knowledge.

I'm including SOME subcategories of ♤Asexuality♤ there is more but for now, I think it's enough.

♤ Aceflux - How asexual you feel tends to flux in and out in intensity. Some days you may feel apathetic toward sex, then others you might feel entirely sex-repulsed, and some days you like sex.

♤ Aegosexual - Autchorissexuality (also known as Aegosexuality) is a sub-section of asexuality. It refers to asexual people who still have a sex drive (and may still, despite their lack of sexual attraction, enjoy consuming sexually explicit content and/or masturbation and/or sexual fantasies).

♤ Akoisexual - Experiencing sexual attraction but having the feelings fade after the feelings are reciprocated. Akoisexual can also be further defined as not caring if the feelings of sexual attraction are reciprocated or not.

♤ Aliquasexual - Someone who does not normally experience sexual/romantic attraction but does on occasion or under specific circumstances. It falls under the gray-a umbrella, and refers to a specific experience, like Demisexual and Lithsexual.

♤ Allosexual - Allosexual is a term used most commonly in the asexual community to refer to someone who is not asexual. Someone who is Allosexual is someone who experiences sexual attraction.

♤ Antisexual - An asexual that is not interested in sex/sexual attraction at all. Has no desire to be in any type of sexual relationship whatsoever.

♤ Apothisexual - Someone who identifies as asexual and is sex repulsed.

♤ Apressexual- Only experiencing attraction after another form of attraction is felt. The attraction originally felt may or may not fade away over time, the new attraction replacing it.

♤ Asexual - Asexuality (or nonsexuality) is the lack of sexual attraction to anyone, or low or absent interest in sexual activity. It may be considered the lack of a sexual orientation.

♤ Autosexual - Autosexual is a term that describes a person that is sexually attracted to themself. Masturbation does not automatically make a person autosexual, just as having sex doesn't make a person sexual.