Asexuality is a little known and often misrepresented sexual orientation.

It is defined by a lack of sexual attraction to other people but it is distinct from celibacy, which is the deliberate abstention from sexual activity.

Being asexual does not prevent a person from experiencing intimacy, love or romance and does not mean they must forever be alone.

These stigmas, along with another misconception such as unattractiveness or the inability to get a sexual partner, have historically driven this form of sexual expression far underground.

Now it is understood to be a perfectly valid form of sexual orientation for around 1% of the population and there's a growing and active asexual community that is out and proud.


To find out what the public knew about asexuality a Sky Data poll asked: "How confident, if at all, would you be in defining asexuality?"

Fifty-three percent of people said they were confident in defining the term, but when put to the test 75% were wrong or did not know that asexual people do experience a sex drive.

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Dr Michael Yates, clinical psychologist specialising in sexual health, said: "Sexual attraction is a motivation to engage in sexual activities with another person. It is possible to still have a sexual drive, but for that not to be directed at another person.

"For some asexual people, they may still have sexual feelings, they may masturbate, but that won't be associated with fantasy or a desire to have sex with somebody else."

Any relationship involves compromise and asexual people who find themselves in a relationship with a sexual partner may have sex to satisfy them, but it is not their preference to do so.

Watch full report on asexuality

This does not equate to simply having a low sexual desire.

Dr Yates said: "Having low sexual desire usually means that at some point in your life you've felt sexual feelings. But for some reason you are not experiencing sexual attrition to your partner or other people at this point in time.

"With asexuality, the individual has never or almost never experienced sexual attraction and has never had an interest in sex.

"The big difference is low sexual desire often causes distress. For asexuals, not being sexually attracted to someone isn't of itself distressing. It's not a problem in their lives."

Image: Emi Salida is an asexual YouTuber

Commenting on the findings of the Sky Data poll, Dr Yates added: "It shows there is still a lack of understanding of the diversity that exists when it comes to sexuality.

"We're getting better but our society is highly sexualised and the messages we get around sex are pretty constant.

"Asexual people have often felt pressured into conforming to what is expected by society, just like LGBT people have historically.

"This leads to shame, distress and discomfort for people who feel they should be doing something that they are just not biologically driven to do."

Asexuality is represented by the letter 'A' in the acronym LGBTQIA, which is an umbrella term to refer to the identities around sexuality and gender identity (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual).



:: Sky Data interviewed a nationally representative sample of 1,119 GB adults online 23-26 November 2018. Data are weighted to the profile of the population. Sky Data is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.

:: To view the Sky Data tables, click here.