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“The best-known figure at present suggests that around one per cent of the population is asexual,” states an open letter to the U.K. Office of National Statistics, which is reportedly considering adding asexuality to its 2021 census questionnaire. The letter is supported and signed by Brock University professor Anthony Bogaert — who resurrected the field of research on the topic a decade ago — and 14 other sex academics and social scientists.

“Therefore, it is most likely that the best part of a million British residents are asexual, yet we have almost no data that sheds light on the causes of asexuality, its correlates or the implications of identifying as asexual,” the sex academics write.

Making asexuality a unique sexual orientation group “would challenge much of the stigma and myths that suggest asexual individuals are just celibate, or that this is some kind of manifestation of psychopathology or trauma,” Brotto, lead author of the newly published review, said in an interview.

“It might lessen that debate around ‘this is due to something else,’ and not that the individual is simply born this way.”

Limited research suggests about 70 per cent of asexuals are women. However, it’s not clear whether that stark gender difference is more a function of bias. Brotto said studies have shown women tend to be more “fluid” in their sexual attractions and orientations, and are more likely to “bounce between different sexual orientation categories.” However, men also might be more reluctant than women to identify as “asexual.”