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[[File:Asexual alternate.png|thumb|An alternate asexual flag by Cryptocrew.]]

[[File:161617187264310306 (10).png|thumb|An alternate asexual flag by RemyWest123.|alt=]]

It is important to note the difference between asexuality and celibacy/abstinence. Those who are abstinent or celibate are not necessarily asexual; they may still experience sexual attraction but they choose not to act on it, typically for moral or religious reasons. Asexuals do not experience sexual attraction, and they may or may not participate in sexual activities. Although some asexuals do not have sex, there are also many asexuals who do partake in sexual activities or are in sexual relationships. This could be for many reasons, such as their own pleasure, the pleasure of a partner, or to have children.

Sexual dispositions among asexual people can vary. Some asexuals may still have a sex drive despite not feeling sexual attraction to anyone. They may still masturbate, watch porn, or participate in sexual activities. Other asexuals lack a sex drive, and some may be repulsed by the concept of sex.

The term "asexual" may also be used as an umbrella term, referring to anyone on the [[Asexual Spectrum|asexual spectrum]].

Early uses of the term "asexual" for human sexuality predate the formation of the asexual community. One of the first (indirect) references to asexuality was in 1896 by physician, Magnus Hirschfeld, in his book "Sappho und Sokrates" where he says "There are individuals who are without any sexual desire ('Anästhesia sexualis')."<ref>[https://www.asexuality.org/en/topic/98639-indirect-mentions-of-asexuality-in-magnus-hirschfelds-books/ AVEN thread: (indirect) mentions of asexuality in Magnus Hirschfeld's books]</ref> In 1948 and 1953 Dr. Alfred Kinsey added a category "X" to the Kinsey scale, indicating those with "no socio-sexual contacts or reactions.”<ref>Kinsey, Alfred C. (1948). Sexual Behavior in the Human Male. W.B. Saunders. ISBN 0-253-33412-8</ref><ref>Kinsey, Alfred C. (1953). Sexual Behavior in the Human Female. W. B. Saunders ISBN 025333411X</ref> In a study published in 1983, Paula Nurius examined the relationship between mental health and sexual orientation. The study focused on heterosexuality and homosexuality but also had options for bisexual and asexual.<ref>Nurius, Paula. (1983). "Mental Health Implications of Sexual Orientation" The Journal of Sex Research 19 (2) pp.119-136.</ref>

The contemporary asexual community originated once the internet enabled small, geographically-dispersed demographics to connect with each other. The earliest asexual proto-community formed in the comments of a 1997 article by Zoe O'Reilly and published by StarNet Dispatches, entitled "My Life as a Human Amoeba".<ref>O'Reilly, Zoe. [http://web.archive.org/web/20030210212218/http://dispatches.azstarnet.com/zoe/amoeba.htm "My life as an amoeba"]</ref> On October 12, 2000 the Yahoo e-mail group "Haven for the Human Amoeba (HHA)" was founded.<ref>[http://wiki.asexuality.org/Haven_for_the_Human_Amoeba AVENwiki: Haven for the Human Amoeba]</ref> The following year, David Jay created the Asexual Visibility and Education Network (AVEN).<ref>[http://wiki.asexuality.org/AVEN AVENwiki: AVEN]</ref> On LiveJournal, the Asexuality community was founded in 2002.<ref>[https://asexuality.livejournal.com/profile LJ Asexuality]</ref>

Over the years, asexuality has been defined in a variety of different ways by different people.<ref>Hinderliter, Andrew C. [http://www.asexualexplorations.net/home/history_of_definition.html "Asexuality: The History of a Definition"]</ref><ref>[https://www.pillowfort.social/posts/717314 A Condensed History of Asexuals Arguing with Asexuals Over What Asexuality Is]</ref> One of the most popular definitions emphasizes [[attraction]], but there have also been those that emphasize a lack of sex drive or desire.

The DSM-5 and ICD-10 currently define low sexual desire as a disorder. The diagnosis has gone under several name changes, the current names being:

*DSM-5 — Female sexual interest/arousal disorder, Male hypoactive sexual desire disorder

In 2013, the DSM-5 was published. Female Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder and Male Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder remain listed as disorders, but their criteria exclude individuals who self-identify as asexual.<ref>[http://www.asexualityarchive.com/asexuality-in-the-dsm-5/ Asexuality in the DSM-5]

</ref>

In the summer of 2010 AVEN and several other asexual websites held a contest to design an asexual flag. The current asexual flag was designed by the AVEN user Standup and was uploaded on June 30th, 2010.<ref>[https://asexualagenda.wordpress.com/2018/02/21/the-ace-flag-a-history-and-celebration/ The Ace Flag: A History and Celebration]

</ref> The gradient of black, grey, and white was based on the AVEN triangle and symbolizes the concept of the [[Asexual Spectrum|asexual spectrum]]. the black is for asexuals, grey for [[greyasexuals]], [[demisexuals]], and other ace-spec people, and white represents [[allosexuals]]. Purple represents the community and was likely chosen because AVEN has a purple color scheme.

</ref> The material and exact design of the ring are not important as long as it is primarily black.

An older asexual symbol is the AVEN triangle, which used a black-to-white gradient to represent the asexual spectrum, with white representing allosexuality and black representing asexuality.<ref>[http://wiki.asexuality.org/AVEN_Triangle AVEN Triangle]</ref> This gradient is what inspired the white, grey, and black stripes of the asexual flag.

==Etymology==

==References==