9 asexual and aromantic celebrities paving the way for better representation in media • GCN

Although Ace representation in the media is improving and there is a better understanding of the wide range of identities that exist under the umbrella of asexuality, there are still major misunderstandings about what it means to be asexual (ace) or aromantic (aro ) to be. Seeing celebrities and other people in the public eye who are loud and proud about being asexual and aromantic can be a huge help in fighting stereotypes and misconceptions.

An example of such poor representation is that many asexual characters in films and media are portrayed as cold, awkward, or unfeeling, but this unfair generalization couldn't be further from the truth.

Marilyn Monroe was considered one of the warmest and most fascinating women of her time, and excerpts from her unfinished autobiography suggest that she was probably asexual. She said: “I used to wonder if the whole world was crazy and constantly hyped about sex… Then I realized that people – other women – were different from me.”

While asexuality wasn't widely known as a label in Marilyn's time, here are nine asexual and aromantic celebrities who are fighting these media stereotypes today.

Alice Oseman

Thanks to shows like Heartstopper, which accurately portray the identities of A-listers and A-listers, we've seen huge advances in asexual representation. As the author of bestselling graphic novels, Alice is obviously comfortable with a range of sexualities and romantic experiences.

Oseman is very open about his own experiences as asexual and aromantic. You said: “Interviewers come to me with a preconceived idea of ​​my identity and assumptions about how a top person experiences the world.” Nobody asks deep questions. It’s a complicated thing to understand yourself.”

Yasmin Benoit

As an author, model and top activist, Yasmin uses her platform to advocate for better representation of asexual people in the media. She created the hashtag #ThisIsWhatAnAsexualLooksLike and co-founded International Asexuality Day.

She radiates self-confidence and security in her own body in a powerful way. As a Black asexual and aromantic woman, she also draws attention to the intersection of race, gender, and queerness, which is all too often underrepresented.

David Jay

As founder of the Asexual Visibility and Education Network (AVEN), David creates space for more asexual people to meet, socialize and defy stereotypes.

He advocates for a more open and honest public dialogue about ace experiences. For example, in his own experience, top people can have deep emotional needs where they crave touch and intimacy, but not sex. He likes to talk about his own family, which includes a three-parent household with his partners and his daughter.

Michael Coel

This aromantic British author and actress is best known for her roles in Chewing Gum, Black Mirror and Black Earth Rising.

Michaela rarely shares details about her personal life with the media, but in a 2014 interview she shared, “I googled Aromanticism and immediately felt like, 'Oh, that's me.'” She continued, “Me it's good to be alone. I like intimate relationships, but I don’t want to change anyone or be changed by anyone.”

Tim Gunn

The Project Runway fashion icon came out as asexual in a 2010 interview with People Magazine, sharing, “For a long time, I didn’t know what I was. I knew what I wasn’t: I wasn’t interested in boys, and I really wasn’t interested in girls.”

In his autobiography, he talks about his previous long-term relationships and how he came to identify with the label “asexual.”

Janeane Garofalo

Comedian Janeane Garofalo describes her asexuality as “a real lack of interest” in sex rather than a fear of intimacy.

She spoke loosely about the range of asexuality and the difference between looking for someone attractive and experiencing romantic or sexual attraction.

Cody Daigle Orians

As someone who identifies as ace, aromantic, and queer, Cody is the founder of Ace Dad Advice. He offers digital workshops where he discusses topics such as self-confidence, communicating with partners in relationships, negotiating intimacy, and exploring asexual labels like Ace and Aro.

He also has a YouTube channel that provides advice for people declaring their asexuality, and he has curated a book called Being Ace: An Anthology of Queer, Trans, Femme, and Disabled Stories of Asexual Love and Connection .

Angela Chen

This incredible asexual author of ACE: What Asexuality Reveals About Desire, Society, and the Meaning of Sex writes about her own experiences discovering her asexual identity.

Chen combines research and personal accounts to explain attraction and provide a better understanding of what it means to be asexual.

These are just a few of the asexual and aromantic celebrities who are paving the way for greater understanding and diversity in the representation of top identities in media. Their powerful stories help break down expectations and misconceptions about asexuality.

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