Early research into sexual attraction first identified asexuality but since then there has been scarce research investigating asexual experiences. In particular, research has yet to focus on asexuals’ experiences of discrimination. The present study employed a mixed-method design (i.e., short survey and interviews) to obtain a comprehensive understanding of asexuals’ experiences of discrimination. 109 participants participated in the survey, with 64% reporting that they had experienced discrimination with invalidation being the most common type. Whereas semi-structure interviews were conducted (N = 7) with interpretative phenomenological analysis being employed to obtain a deeper level of asexuals’ lived experiences of discrimination. Themes discussed in the present paper included “Conceptualising Discrimination” and “Deviating from Societal Expectations”. Findings from both study and interviews were integrated and discussed in relation to current research. Potential future inquiries are outlined, in addition to the implications of raising awareness of
asexuality.
Keywords: Asexuality, Discrimination, Prejudice, Allonormativity, LGBTQ+, Interpretative
Phenomenological Analysis