I finally got a ring!
https://redd.it/1l40j6n
@asexualityonreddit

Being used and abused has messed up my perception of relationships and intimacy

I've posted before about how I've been through some traumatic stuff, but I'm now realizing how it actually shaped my identity, but also messed up my perception on relationships.

By "used" I mean that back when I didn't know I was aro and still felt compelled to date multiple people would use me as a short-term distraction by doing "couple stuff" with me (kiss, cuddle, hold hands, call me cute names, etc.) because they had recently been through a breakup and wanted someone to be affectionate with without any strings attached. While I now see how that was wrong, I did also genuinely like them as friends and enjoyed the affection. Problem is, this has caused me to view affection as platonic.

By "abused" I broadly mean that multiple people who have had romantic feelings for me have done horrible things to themselves because I rejected them, without going into too much detail.

So now, as a result, my brain is kinda messed up. I think of friendship as something like a better form of romance because "you can be affectionate with a friend without all the toxic stuff that comes with romantic feelings which I've experienced".

I also categorize people who only "use" me as "safe" because while yes, they have used me for their pleasure they also never abused me, unlike the people who have had romantic feelings for me who I now categorize as "unsafe", hence I also now don't trust anyone who catches those feelings for me.

I'm aware this is not normal, but at the same time I struggle to see how it could be any different; why would romance not be inherently toxic if I've only see it fail and people with such feelings have been overwhelmingly abusive? And why would affection not be platonic if I've only ever experienced it like that?

https://redd.it/1l41xa8
@asexualityonreddit

Have you ever mentioned to someone that you are asexual and they misinterpreted it?



https://redd.it/1l3obrm
@asexualityonreddit

Question for the asexual hetero women

I’m curious… do men (or women) ever pursue you or ask for your number out in public? Or like at the gym? This goes for anyone who identifies as a woman too. I’m wondering because I see videos on Instagram all the time of men approaching women and spitting the most horrendous and cringiest pickup lines imaginable and I want to know what the response is once you tell them either to f*** off or tell them your sexuality.

How do you typically respond to pickup lines? Do you still give out your phone number if approached by a stranger? Please let me know 🙏

https://redd.it/1l3o0g2
@asexualityonreddit

You can make it sound as magical as you want, I Still don’t want.
https://redd.it/1l3isoc
@asexualityonreddit

Ace colours to paint animals are not the best, anyway here’s a velociraptor

https://redd.it/1l489oh
@asexualityonreddit

Ok….why 😃

https://redd.it/1l4a3dc
@asexualityonreddit

We already have very little rep and the rep we have gets ereased
https://redd.it/1l49487
@asexualityonreddit

Happy Pride month, all! Don't forget to eat your garlic bread!

https://redd.it/1l48v1y
@asexualityonreddit

One of the earliest asexual representation in media
https://redd.it/1l4d7yh
@asexualityonreddit

Hi

Hello, I'm never here. I'm 27 years old, I'm deaf and I'm either asexual or aromantic. I wanted to know the opinion of my noble friends, is it normal to want to watch movies and listen to romantic music and sexual music, and I also draw NFWS, like does that make me less asexual? ;-;

https://redd.it/1l4gs2l
@asexualityonreddit