Hey Everyone~
We’re going to be breaking down the Grey Stripe in the Uni Ace Flag. For context, the Grey Acknowledges Asexuality as a Spectrum of identities [Including Grey, Demi and MircoLabels]. Since sharing this, I’ve seen a lot of people express frustration and event state that I’ve been exclusionary to by moving Asexuality to the Grey instead of keeping it in Black. I feel as though comments around this leaves me to assume most people see Asexuality as an experience defined by a singular definition which doesn’t allow for discussions that center the nuances of this identity and dismisses the spectrum in totality. This furthers the alienation of others in our community, while upholding elitist values that continue to push people toward more rigid thinking/ ignorant views around what queerness should or shouldn’t be. The move to have Asexuality in the Grey is to provide others more opportunities to explain what their experience is, with more openness and curiosity from themselves and others.
As I’ve continued to grow into my own identity, I’ve become more aware of the ways other people experience Asexuality in their own ways too. My life journey has allowed me to learn more about, not only Asexuality as we’ve seen it defined, but the other labels it holds as well. Opening up the ways we all see ourselves represented in this community and providing more people opportunities to share what parts of Asexuality play a part in their own world. We know of Grey-Asexuality & Demisexuality, but there are several others that fall under the Asexual Umbrella as well. See Below:
The Aim of this is to further peoples ability to explore their identities without restrictive language around ‘what it should be’. Words are incredibility important, but as queer people, we should be allowed the freedom to explore what else is available to us so we’re able to build more confidence within ourselves and the societies we live in.
On that note, I’d love to know how you identify within the Asexual Umbrella and how long it took you to finally align with Asexuality and other labels within this experience.
Thank you all of continuing to follow along this journey. Through all the ignorance I’ve been exposed to in the past 3 months, I continue to find joy in those who see themselves better represented in this flag.
If you want to support me, consider being a part of the Ace Babe Collective by being a paid subscriber on this Substack, OR, send some love to my Kofi [PNG’s & Hex Codes of this flag are available there as well!].
Just a heads up to those who follow me on my other socials, I’ve implemented a 24hr lock on comments on Instagram x Tiktok & only established followers on Facebook can comment. Folks need to sit with their thoughts more before overreacting to information that’s being shared.
Chat ya’ll later!
-Ashabi
The depth and complexity of the asexual spectrum of experiences is beautiful and the uni ace flag has been developed to capture elements of our experiences that the ace flag on its own doesn’t really fully represent. I did find the yellow quite bright but after learning about it I feel that I can embrace it more because it resonates with me. I identify as Demi sexual and romantic but even when I develop deep relationships with other’s I still almost never feel any sexual or romantic attraction to others. To me a person’s character means more to me and I love to see others achieving their best through being their true selves.
When I first started figuring out if I was asexual, it wasn't until I learned what demisexual was that made me feel seen. It was such a relief to know I fit somewhere! I identify more as aceflux now, but that fluctuation is between demi amd gray.