There's no doubt that when you speak of the LGBTQIA a lot of people can relate to being in that community. Many people have strong opinions on the LGBTQIA. What is a problem with this community is the people outside of it are uneducated. Many people just call it the LGBT, but in fact there are many other sexualities that need to be brought up. As a fellow person of the LGBTQIA community, seeing that asexuality isn't even talked about in classrooms saddens me. My job in this article is to educate you on what LGBTQIA actually stands for and the different sexualities that need to be educated on.
We all know that LGBTQ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer. But what a lot of people do not know that the IA in LGBTQIA stands for Intersex, Asexual, Agender, and Aromantic. That's right kids, the 'A' does not stand for Ally and it never did. The A always has stood for Asexual, Aromantic and Agender. Also, these sexualities are never really talked about in classrooms. I didn't hear about Asexual talked about until I was a freshman in college. Sex Ed courses in high school primarily talk about Hetersexual sex, so it leaves all of the kids in the LGBTQIA community confused on if there is something wrong with them. For me, I sat in health class thinking there was something wrong with me because I repulsed by sex.
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So, let's dive into what Intersex, Asexual, Agender, and Aromantic are and why you should be educated on them. Intersex means that this person born with reproductive organs but is not fit the typical definition of being male or female. For example a female may be born and look female on the outside but have the anatomy of a male. Do not get the name Intersex confused with transgender or "hermaphrodite". Hermaphrodite is very offensive such as dike and if you're using "queer" as a derogatory term. Asexuality is when someone has no sexual attraction to the person they have interest in. They might like them in a romantic way but not sexual. Some Asexual people can be completely repulsed by sex and that is okay. They can be okay with it but that doesn't mean they have sexual attraction. Asexual people can also be a combination of bisexual, homosexual, transgender and many more. Aromantic is similar to Asexuality but reversed, so aromantic people can have a sexual attraction but there is no romantic attraction. These people can pursue relationships if they want but most do not involve romance. Last but definitely not least, Agender or non-binary, means that someone does not classify under a specific gender. Usually these people use the pronouns "they" "them".
It is very important that we are educated on these sexualities because there are people all around you who could be of these sexualities. I have lost many friends over this past year after coming out at Asexual but I have also found many people who are positive and support me. I believe that all schools should be open to talking about sexualities other than hetersexual so the kids who are sitting in class, thinking that there's something wrong them, won't think that anymore. I know I have sat through classes that talk about sex or sexualities and think there is something wrong with me. There have been times where I wish I wasn't Asexual but then I realize that that's really not the true me. So please do yourself a favor and educate yourself and support those around you.
