An orientation generally describing little or no sexual attraction. Asexual, often shortened to ace, is also an umbrella for varied ace-spectrum experiences.
Sources and evidence type
Manual claim and limitation notes are shown where an individual source audit is complete. Other evidence-type labels are a publisher aid awaiting source-by-source confirmation.
Stonewall: LGBTQ+ termsCommunity context
Source design
Contextual or community source
What it can support
Terminology, reported practice or community context within the source’s own setting.
Important limitation
Community usage is not universal and does not establish safety, prevalence, clinical benefit or legal permission.
Illustration created using generative AI; not documentary evidence.
In brief
An orientation defined by attraction, with diverse bodies, choices and relationships.
Asexuality concerns attraction, not a required level of libido, arousal, behaviour, celibacy or relationship interest. An ace person may experience romantic attraction, masturbate, have sex, enjoy kink, form partnerships or prefer none of these. The label belongs to the person using it and is not a diagnosis to be cured.
Ace-spectrum diversity
Some people experience no sexual attraction, while greysexual and demisexual people describe rare, conditional or bond-dependent attraction. Individuals choose which umbrella or specific term fits.
Romantic orientation can be described separately, such as biromantic asexual or aromantic asexual. Not everyone uses the split-attraction model.
Status
Detailed editorial draft
Publisher
The UK Kink Guide
Reviewed
Structured draft present; individual review date not recorded
Evidence
3 cited sources · types labelled below
Jurisdiction
UK-focused general education
Read the rest: evidence, law, safety and sources
Sexual attraction
Sexual interest directed toward a particular person; ace people experience little, none or ace-spectrum patterns.
Libido
General sexual drive or bodily urge, which may be present or absent independently of attraction.
Celibacy
A choice not to engage in sex; it is behaviour rather than an orientation.
Aromantic
Little or no romantic attraction, which may occur with any sexual orientation including asexuality.
Behaviour and relationships
Sexual behaviour does not invalidate an ace identity. Reasons may include pleasure, curiosity, intimacy, conception or a negotiated relationship, while other ace people are sex-averse or uninterested.
Relationships may be romantic, queerplatonic, sexual, non-sexual, monogamous, non-monogamous or absent. No arrangement is inherently more authentic.
Clinical distinctions
Asexuality is not the same as a distressing loss of desire or a sexual-interest disorder. Clinicians should distinguish a stable identity from an unwanted change, pain, medicine effect or health condition.
Distress caused by stigma or relationship pressure should not be reframed as evidence that the orientation itself is pathological.
Consent and inclusion
Ace people can consent to or decline any activity; identity does not supply consent in advance. Partners should not use sex as a test of love or demand attempts to change orientation.
Inclusive services ask about actual anatomy, activity and needs rather than assuming no contraception, STI screening or relationship support is relevant.
Non-graphic examples
What the umbrella may include
Being asexual and romantically attracted to more than one gender.
Having libido without attraction to another person.
Choosing consensual sex while identifying as ace.
Preferring a queerplatonic partnership.
Seeking care for a new painful symptom without having identity questioned.
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Questions you could ask a professional
What information would help you understand my question?
What are the realistic options and uncertainties?
How can disability, communication or privacy needs be accommodated?
When should the situation be reviewed again?
These prompts do not replace assessment and do not imply that every reader needs professional care.
Continue learning
Take the next step from definition to context.
Continue with independent guidance connecting asexual to evidence, consent, safety, uncertainty and practical decisions.
The UK Kink GuideEvidence-led glossary