Asexual identity development and internalisation: a thematic analysis

Figures & data

Table 1. Participant characteristics.

	Total (N = 99)
Age: Mean (SD)	27.97 (10.36)
Gender identity	(%)
Female	60.39
Male	9.9
Non-binary (third gender)	13.86
Self-describe	7.92
Female Self-describe	2.97
Non-binary (third gender) Self-describe	0.99
Transman, Non-binary (third gender)	0.99
Male, Non-binary (third gender)	0.99
Sexual identity	(%)
Asexual	78.21
Gray-asexual	12.87
Demi-sexual	3.96
Self-describe	2.97
Romantic identity	(%)
Aromantic	31.68
Heteroromantic	20.79
Gray-romantic	11.88
Pan-romantic	10.89
Self-describe	9.9
Biromantic	8.91
Demi-romantic	1.98
Homoromantic	1.98

Non-binary (third gender): An individual who identifies with more than one gender, no gender (agender) or are genderfluid. Asexual: An individual who lacks sexual attraction towards other people. Gray-asexual: An individual who feels vague and infrequent sexual attraction. Demi-sexual: An individual who feel no sexual attraction towards other people unless a strong emotional bond has been established. Heteroromantic: An individual who is romantically attracted to/desires romantic relationships with the opposite gender. Homoromantic: An individual who is romantically attracted to/desires romantic relationships with the same gender. Biromantic: An individual who is romantically attracted to/desires romantic relationships with multiple genders. Panromantic: An individual who is romantically attracted to/desires romantic relationships without gender being a factor. Aromantic: An individual who is not romantically attracted to or desiring of romantic relationships at all. Gray-romantic: An individual who experiences romantic attraction but not very often. Demi-romantic: An individual who experiences romantic attraction after developing an emotional connection.

Table 2. List of major themes and sub-themes.

Becoming asexual
Feeling Different
Searching for Sexual Identity
Means of Discovery
Being asexual
Identifying as Asexual
Asexual Community
Displaying Pride
Intimate social expression
Desires within Relationships
Asexuality Compromising Relationships
Avoiding Sexual/romantic Relationships
Reactions to Disclosure
Fearing Disclosure
Selective Disclosure
Internalisation
I Feel Alien
I am seen as Alien