4 asexual celebrities for Asexual Awareness Week

It’s Asexual Awareness Week this October 23 to 29! In an age where sexuality is fluid, a number of asexual celebrities have also come out.

An asexual person is defined by the Asexual Visibility & Education Network (AVEN) as “someone who does not experience sexual attraction.”

Meanwhile, the organization that organizes the Asexual Awareness Week said that unlike celibacy (which is more of a lifestyle choice) asexuality is “a sexual orientation– like homosexuality, bisexuality, and heterosexuality.”

However, though they’re not sexually attracted to other people, asexual people still have emotional needs. That’s why though some are okay on their own, others are happy in groups or in long-term partnerships.

In that vein, here are four celebrities who have self-identified as being asexual.

Asexual celebrities #1: Janeane Garofalo

The acerbic comedian and actress Janeane Garofalo admitted in 2010 that she’s asexual, despite having a ten-year sexless relationship with her boyfriend.

When some people said they thought she was gay, Janeane said, “I take it as a compliment. It makes me far more interesting than an asexual atheist. If you want to imbue me with that– it’s not an insult.”

Asexual celebrities #2: Paula Poundstone

Another actress/comedian who identifies as asexual is Paula Poundstone, who admitted that she was one in 2013.

In an interview with Edge Media, Paula said, “Well, it is hard to say a lot more about being asexual. I don’t like sex. Therefore, I don’t have sex. It frees up time, but that’s not by design, it’s just a bonus.”

Asexual celebrities #3: Emilie Autumn

The musician-violinist Emilie Autumn declared that she was asexual as far back in 2010.

In an interview with Curve Magazine, Emilie said, “The reality of the situation is that while I enjoy being alone for long periods of time, I do in fact have relationships–but these are based on far more than just sex drive.”

“And it is true that I don’t have an especial preference for boys or girls, though, between the two, I can say that I’m much more into the lady love, as you can probably tell by my live show,” she added.

However, recently she tweeted in 2012 that: “Wasn’t that I disliked sex, just nevr been w/ any1 who was any good @ it.”

Asexual celebrities #4: Keri Hulme

Keri Hulme, the New Zealand novelist who won the Booker Prize for her work, The Bone People, had declared she was asexual in 2007.

“It is part of who I am: the major impact is that I am not– and never have been– interested in sex,” Keri told the New Zealand Herald in an interview.

“It was more a slow realisation that I was different from most people. By my mid-teens, I’d realised that what was of great moment and interest to other young people – their sexuality and relationships – didn’t intrigue me in the slightest,’ she added.