This week, we challenge the common perceptions of attraction and explore the complexities of asexuality. Sociology PhD candidate Canton Weiner shares invaluable insights from his research while Sarah Costello, co-host of the podcast "Sounds Fake, But Okay," opens up about her personal experience being aro-ace, or aromantic asexual. We examine the split attraction model and shed light on various types of attraction, delve into the history of asexuality with pioneers like Magnus Hirschfeld and Alfred Kinsey, and discover how the rise of the internet has shaped the asexual community. This episode challenges misconceptions, explores the intersection of asexuality and other identities like race and gender, and highlights the need for increased understanding and acceptance within the LGBTQIA community.

Check out Canton Winer's University of Irvine bio and his research.

Listen to Sarah Costello's podcast Sounds Fake But Okay and pick up her new book, Sounds Fake but Okay: An Asexual and Aromantic Perspective on Love, Relationships, Sex, and Pretty Much Anything Else.

See citations and a transcript here: https://www.tabooscience.show/s3-e2-asexuality/

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Mentioned in this episode:

Preconceived

Preconceived examines the preconceptions that shape how we view the world and challenges the paradigms by which we live our lives. The show is hosted by ophthalmologist Zale Mednick. Listen to Preconceived wherever you get your podcasts.

Preconceived podcast

Free from Desire: Asexual in the City of Love

35-year-old Aline, who grew up in the city of love, has never been attracted to anyone — sexually or romantically. On this podcast, they tell us how difficult it was to realize and accept their asexuality and aromanticism in a society that only talks about exactly that: love and sex. This acceptance is what also allowed them to now have a child on their own via artificial insemination. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Free from Desire