A-Spec Exclusionists are individuals who believe that asexual and aromantic individuals are not or should not be part of the LGBT+ community.
This ideology is often due to the claim that the the LGBT+ community is for individuals who are "same gender attracted" (SGA). This ideology also ignores the m-spec individuals who are not attracted to their own gender (ie: a woman who likes men and agender individuals.)
Individuals who are for the inclusion of a-spec individuals are called inclusionists, and the argument between the two groups is often called "ace discourse" or simply "discourse".
A-Spec Exclusionist Ideology
Because a-spec exclusionism is fairly widespread, there are many different types of a-spec exclusionist ideology. This ranges from the belief that asexual individuals should make their own community to the belief that asexual individuals do not exist. The following list will cover the most common a-spec exclusionist beliefs.
Cishets
The word cishet was originally used by trans individuals to refer to someone who is cisgender, heterosexual, and heteroromantic. However, it was adopted by a-spec exclusionists as a dogwhistle referring to a-spec individuals. Originally, it was only used that way to mean heteroromantic asexuals or aromantic heterosexuals, but for some a-spec exclusionist it has come to mean aroace individuals, or even all a-spec individuals in general.
Some a-spec exclusionists claim to be accepting of transgender a-spec individuals and individuals who experience same-gender attraction as well as being a-spec, but a-spec exclusionists may also harass a-spec individuals regardless of their other identities.
Denial of Asexuals
Some ace-spec exclusionists will claim that asexuals do not exist, for a variety of supposed reasons. Some of the most common 'reasons' include:
- "Asexuals are frustrated about being unable to find sexual partners."
- "Asexuals are straight individuals who want to be 'special' or invade LGBT+ spaces."
- "Asexuals are gays or lesbians who do not admit to their orientation because of internalized homophobia."
- "Asexuals are children too young to experience sexual attraction."
- "Asexuals are sexually repressed or have hormonal disorders/conditions."
Many claim that demisexuality and other ace-spec identities do not exist because "it's normal to not want to have sex with everyone you see", these arguments typically completely miss the point of said ace-spec identities, incorrectly equate attraction to action, or misinterpreting their own unrecognized ace-spec identity as a universal experience.
Similar claims are used against members of the aromantic spectrum. Additionally they may claim that aromantics are men unwilling to form emotional attachments and are only interested in very short-term sexual relations (like one-night stands.) They may also make fun of aromantic terminology, such as queerplatonic relationships, and aplatonic aromantics. They may claim that aromantics have no friends or do not understand friendship, which completely misunderstands the importance of platonic attraction in the aromantic community.
Some may claim that asexuality and aromanticism only act as quasi-modifiers to one's attraction, denying the existence of aromantic asexuals.
Denial of Oppression
A-spec exclusionists will often claim that asexuals are not a part of the LGBT+ community because they supposedly do not experience oppression. When presented with evidence of a-spec oppression, they may outright refuse to admit that it happened (such as trying to gaslight victims of corrective rape by claiming that said rape never occurred, or claim that the oppression experienced was in reality misdirected homophobia or misogyny.)
Demonization of Asexuals
A-spec exclusionists often go out of their way to mock, discredit, or defame asexuals. They may claim that asserting the existence of asexuality inherently sexualizes all other LGBT+ identities. Similarly, they may also claim that minors cannot identify as asexual based on the belief that asexuality is an inherently sexualized identity. They may claim that asexuals prey on young children, convincing them that they are asexual. Some exclusionists may have identified as asexual in the past before realizing that they were not asexual, and be convinced that every asexual experience is the same.
A-spec exclusionists may also claim that allosexual is a slur used against them because it groups LGBT+ individuals with straight individuals. They may also claim that the existence of the term allosexual is shaming individuals for wanting sex.
A-spec exclusionists may pose as asexuals to troll asexual forums or other ace spaces to make posts about how asexuals are superior to allosexuals and that experiencing sexual attraction supposedly makes allosexuals "dirty". When some individuals do not realize that such posts were made by trolls, their reactions may be spread in a-spec exclusionist circles as supposed "proof" of all asexuals being homophobic.
Queerphobia
There is a large amount of overlap between a-spec exclusionists and other exclusionist groups. Many a-spec exclusionist originally took part in so-called "bisexual discourse" in which they excluded bisexuals using many of the same or similar arguments. Along with biphobia, many exclusionists also gatekeep the LGBT+ community against pansexuals and non-binary individuals. A-spec exclusionists often dislike anyone who does not strictly identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender; as such, many dislike the usage of the word queer, as they believe it to be too inclusive of individuals they believe should not be part of the LGBT+ community. They may also claim that queer is a slur that should not be used at all. A-spec exclusionists may also be transmedicalists or trans-exclusionary radical feminists.