“I’m an Asexual Woman, and This Is What It’s Like Not to Feel Sexual Attraction”

What does it mean to be a woman when sexuality is a foreign concept?

As told to Charlotte Dingle Mar 10, 2017

There’s no doubt about it — we live in a highly sexualized society. Physical attraction is an important talking point, especially growing up, and if you’re not discussing crushes and pulls, you can be viewed with suspicion. But a growing movement is coming out publicly to say “No, we aren’t wired the same way as you — and that’s just fine by us.” Simone, 28, is part of that movement and she agreed to tell Cosmopolitan UK exactly what it all means.

“Someone who is asexual doesn’t experience sexual attraction,” she explains. “In terms of sex drive, it varies from person to person, so a lot of asexuals say they don’t have any kind of drive, whereas others say they have, but it’s like being hungry yet not wanting to eat any particular food.” Simone has never had sex but has been in relationships. “I have had brief relationships in the past but I felt like it wasn’t really for me. I would say, however, that I’m a minority amongst asexuals — most of my asexual friends are in relationships.” So, how does that work? “We tend to say in the asexual community people have romantic orientations despite not having a…