Performing Asexuality through Narratives of Sexual Identity

Abstract

PERFORMING ASEXUALITY THROUGH NARRATIVES OF SEXUAL IDENTITY by Janet L. Sundrud This thesis explores the social construction of asexual identities through everyday narrative performances and critically examines the marginalizing effects of heteronormative discourses. This thesis posits narrative performance as a framework for understanding asexual identities within a heteronormative society. Drawing upon oral history and ethnographic methodologies, this thesis examines the narrative performances of three self-identified asexuals and explores four themes within each narrative: 1) the breach of heteronormative expectations, 2) the creation of commonality among individuals within the asexual community, 3) the negotiation of heteronormative discourses within the family, and 4) the construction of future-oriented liminoid narratives of asexuality. This thesis advances the claim that asexuality is a social identity by which asexuals narrate their past within a heteronormative society and envision a queer future. v Chapter One: The Modern Asexual

Understanding asexual identity as a means to facilitate culturally competent care: A systematic literature review

“…the Asexuality Visibility Education Network (AVEN), the largest online community for self‐identified asexuals, acknowledges the diversity in the asexual community, stating that “each individual experiences and expresses sexual desire, arousal, and behaviour somewhat differently” (AVEN, ). Findings from current studies highlight the considerable variability in sexual response (Brotto & Yule, ; Prause & Graham, ; Yule, Brotto, & Gorzalka, ), sexual behaviour (Brotto & Yule, ; Carrigan, ; Haefner, ; Prause & Graham, ; Scherrer, ; Van Houdenhove, Gijs, T'Sjoen, & Enzin, ; Yule et al., ) and romantic attraction and affectionate attachments (Brotto et al., ; Carrigan, ; MacNeela & Murphy, ; Pacho, ; Sundrud, ).…”

“…It was just boring” (Prause & Graham, , 345) and “even though an asexual person might want to clean out the plumbing once in a while, they don't have any interest in doing it with someone else” (Brotto et al., , 611). Data presented from Haefner () and Sundrud () capture a similar sense of indifference and lack of interest to sexual activity, “I just assumed I was sexual for so long and so I pushed myself more and more in that direction because every time I had a physical experience with someone it wasn't fulfilling and so I was just like, I need to try new things and find out what's the next interesting thing” (Sundrud, , 64).…”

“…Having the confidence to claim an asexual identity came as a result of the empowered experience of the stages of “breach, crisis and redress” (Sundrud, , 110) where “breach” represents the breach of sexual normativity that goes alongside the acceptance and adoption of the asexual identity. Sundrud () identifies that this process unites the asexual community…”

“…Qualitative accounts from Brotto et al. (), Carrigan (), MacNeela and Murphy (), Pacho (), Scott, McDonnell, and Dawson (), Sundrud () and Van Houdenhove et al. () provide insights into the process of identity formation for many asexuals.…”

“…The stages illustrated in many of these accounts appear to reflect those typically occurring in adolescence or early adulthood during the “coming out process” for LGBT identities, with the discovery of an asexual community being significant in shaping and validating the asexual identity in a number of narratives, specifically from Brotto et al. (), Carrigan (), Robbins, Low, and Query (), Scherrer () and Sundrud (). Theorists such as Cass () and Coleman () use identity models to reflect the process of identity development; broadly speaking most models illustrate a pattern of confusion, comparison (with others), tolerance, acceptance and identity pride.…”