Podcast: David Jay’s Asexual Perspective on Intimacy

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Podcast: Download (Duration: 19:34 — 17.9MB)

Show Notes

Asexuality is the lack of sexual attraction. Asexuals are not anti-sex, they just could not care less about having it. David Jay is the founder of AVEN (Asexual Visibility and Education Network) and is arguably the person who single-handedly whipped together the asexuality movement.

In this segment the basics about asexuality are not covered, what I pulled from the interview is a conversation about intimacy… and non sexual intimacy in particular. Asexuals have a refreshing point of view on sex because they are removed from it, yet many consider themselves sex positive. I think there is so much information that sexual people can learn from asexuals and the topics the asexuality movement focuses on. It was so exciting for me to hear David talk about non-sexual intimacy because this is a big part of my life and my relationship– and to me it is more important than sex.

I truly think that if the sex-positive movement and the asexuality movement were to fuse their ideas, we could reach a state in human relationships and sexuality where we could become unstoppable–whole.

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This entry was written by Rabbit White, posted on 2009-11-18 at 08:42, filed under Podcast and tagged Sex & Gender. Bookmark the permalink. Follow any comments here with the RSS feed for this post. Post a comment or leave a trackback: Trackback URL.

3 Comments

Alex Ryan

Posted 2009-11-18 at 11:47 | Permalink

IMHO intimacy between human beings has nothing to do with physical contact at all. It’s about opening yourself up to someone and allowing yourself to be deeply connected to them emotionally to the point where you truly feel what they feel as if you were them. It is about overcoming your fear and trusting that person so thoroughly that you dare to allow your empathy to grow into unconditional love.
Combining intimacy with sex is great but the two really don’t have anything to do with each other.
Alex Ryan´s last blog ..Excessive Worrying
Rabbit White

Posted 2009-11-18 at 11:57 | Permalink

Alex Ryan,
I could not agree more. I think that the greatest intimacy comes from emotional and intellectual vulnerability. Physical vulnerability can also feel quite intense, but for me nothing compares to the high of emotional & intellectual honesty and connection. I wish this were a more widespread idea among us all. This is one aspect where I think the asexual movement could really open the eyes to a lot of people.
Carsonspire

Posted 2009-11-25 at 10:03 | Permalink

Rabbit,

First, I’d like to commend you on taking the time to learn more about the intersecting topics of asexuality and intimacy. I would love to hear a sequel podcast, based on your responses to David’s comments. (I am looking forward to your article too, though!)

As an aside, I have never heard anyone outside of the asexual community mention “intellectual vulnerability” as a form of intimacy. As someone who deeply understands this concept, as well as that of community organizing as a form of intimacy, your affirmation made my heart smile Thank you.