According to a poll conducted by Sky News, 76% of those surveyed weren’t able to accurately define asexuality, even with 53% of those asked saying they were confident in their ability to define the term.
Many who responded to Sky News’ survey did not know, for example, that asexual people can experience a sex drive.
It is estimated that around 1% of the population is asexual, or “ace” as it is popularity known.
Asexual people, essentially, do not experience sexual attraction towards others, or a low desire for sexual activity. There is a wide diversity amongst the asexual community, much like amongst other sexual orientations.
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Related: It’s time to stop joking and start taking asexuality seriously
Asexuality is also often confused with celibacy, in which a person deliberately abstains from sexual activity. Asexual people can and do have sexual activity for a number of reasons, including procreation, a desire to please a partner, or even for self-pleasure.
It is also not the same as being aromantic. Asexual people can indeed form long-lasting romantic relationships, and may have a romantic, rather than sexual, orientation.
View the Sky News report on asexuality below:
Related: What is asexual? Here’s the asexual spectrum, an asexual quiz & everything else you’re curious about
