Central Ohio Aces And Aros A group to created to promote awareness of asexuality and aromanticism and to create a group for the asexual and aromantic people of central Ohio Currently looking for mods Check out our facebook group here
This anniversary is not only ours, it is YOURS too. Because YOU are what makes this blog and this community possible!
To celebrate, take a trip with us down memory lane and check out our anniversary zine, filled with messages from other members of this community:
ā Download the zine (pdf).
If you want to print a copy of the zine, download this file and print on both sides of a page before folding into a booklet.
We're also very happy to debut our new logo!
Isn't it amazing? Keep an eye out for the new Aro Movies Monday and Aro Tunes Thursday redesigns as well. This new visual identity was commissioned to @marirumo, a designer we've already collaborated with on previous projects; we're very grateful for her constant support!
And last but not least, thank you so much for these past ten years. Here is to many more to come! Happy anniversary!
*Note: Please make sure to check the original post for the latest version before reblogging. This post will be updated frquently!*
There are a lot of aspec terms, some more common than others. With this series, I'm hoping to spotlight a bunch of different aspec identities, terms, etc.
If you have any suggestions for terms to post about, you can comment on or reblog this post, or send in an ask or dm!
A lot of these topics will be aro/ace centered, but I'm happy to shine some light on anything on the aspec, including afamilial, aplatonic, asensual, atertiary, aqueerplatonic, etc. Just know that I will have less to say personally about things that don't apply to me, and I will be more heavily relying on the words of others in those cases.
Note: when a term is a modifier than can apply to multiple things (eg. repulsed, aego, demi, etc.), I typically default to using sex/sexuality/asexuality as the example (eg sex-repulsed, aegosexual, demisexual), because those are more clear-cut for me to define. Determining if an action is sexual is easier for me than determining if an action is romantic or platonic or anything else, and sometimes I just need an example. There's not really a deeper meaning to it.
1: alloromantic = somebody that isn't aromantic and experiences romantic attraction
2: I had this post on my mind for a LONG time. In fact, I did this episode a while ago as episode #8 on webtoon back in 2023. I knew that I didn't really do it justice back then, so I'm glad I had this opportunity to do it again.
3. As always, if I got something wrong, please correct me.
Just a thought, but I think that something that often gets overlooked in the romance vs friendship/QPR debate is how those things are just as socially constructed as gender, and do not, in fact, fall into a strict binary, or even trinary system. Relationships between people are fluid, negotiated things, and terms like partner, boyfriend, girlfriend, wife, husband, friend, etc, mean different things to different people, cultures and eras.
Whether two or more people decide to make their specific type of relationship exclusive, or committed or intimate; whether theyāre attracted to each other, or decide to have sex, or live together, or cuddle; whether they do all, or none, or some of those things, they should be allowed to label it how they please. QPR, bromance, FWB, open relationship, polycule, etc. Sure, those terms carry connotations and assumptions, but hailing them as absolutes without any gray areas shows a lack of understanding for human behaviour, and creates unnecessary stigma and difficulties for people who are poly, ace, or aro, as well as anyone whose hierarchy of relationships is just different from the expected norm.
Just a thought, but I think that something that often gets overlooked in the romance vs friendship/QPR debate is how those things are just as socially constructed as gender, and do not, in fact, fall into a strict binary, or even trinary system. Relationships between people are fluid, negotiated things, and terms like partner, boyfriend, girlfriend, wife, husband, friend, etc, mean different things to different people, cultures and eras.
Whether two or more people decide to make their specific type of relationship exclusive, or committed or intimate; whether theyāre attracted to each other, or decide to have sex, or live together, or cuddle; whether they do all, or none, or some of those things, they should be allowed to label it how they please. QPR, bromance, FWB, open relationship, polycule, etc. Sure, those terms carry connotations and assumptions, but hailing them as absolutes without any gray areas shows a lack of understanding for human behaviour, and creates unnecessary stigma and difficulties for people who are poly, ace, or aro, as well as anyone whose hierarchy of relationships is just different from the expected norm.
A little zine about how I (still) have trouble saying the word aromantic.
I've never made a zine before! I was inspired to try it because @queerliblib mentioned a zine making night in an email. That hasn't happened yet - its on June 26th - but once I had the idea, I couldn't wait, lol. It was nice to put something down on paper and have the finished product to hold onto.
Image descriptions under the cut:
Page 1: Three tiny speech bubbles say: "Do you have a bf? Do you like anyone? What's your type?" A big speech bubble says, "Oh, I don't date." The big speech bubble comes from a heart colored like the aromantic flag.Ā
Page 2 says: I could say: "Actually, I'm... ...aromantic." ...aro." ...aromantic asexual." ...aroace."
Page 3 says: But there are a few problems:
aromantic: Has been misheard as "A Romantic".
aro: Opaque if you don't already know the term.
aromantic asexual: A mouthful! And sounds...scientific?
aroace: shares The Big Problem: it may require a vocabulary lesson!
Page 4 says: It doesn't actually come up too often! Which is fine.Ā My coworkers, my neighbors, and strangers don't need to know I'm aroace. I just wish I could say it sincerely when I do want someone to know.Ā
Page 5 says: I always have to smile - laugh - hedge. "Oh, well, actually, I'm kind of like, aromantic? Basically just not interested."
It's been more than 8 years since the first time I said it out loud!Ā I'm certain of it, but I still can't say it like I mean it!
Page 6 says: The most memorable time I said "I don't date" the guy I was talking to asked "Oh are you asexual?"Ā and I said "Yeah, actually. And aromantic." And we moved on.
That was nice.Ā
Page 7 says:
The times I've lead with "I'm aromantic" -- well, there's only one I really remember:
"I didn't use to think that was a real thing."Ā
Other than that time -- even if I use the word, I always explain what it means first!Ā
Page 8 says: I just hope that one day I'll feel like I can say, simply, confidently: "I'm aromantic" and "I'm aroace."
The words "I'm aromantic" are big and dark green, the color of the top stripe of the aromantic flag. The words "I'm aroace" are big and bright orange, the color of the top stripe of the aroace flag.Ā Three hearts below the words are colored to look like the aromantic, aroace, and asexual flags.Ā
Hello, fellow fandom-obsessed creatives! Please join us for the 10th (!!!) edition of #AggressivelyArospecWeek!
Every year, #AggressivelyArospecWeek (#AAW for short) is an occasion to promote the creation of arospec fancontent by arospec creators. For an entire week, people on the aromantic spectrum celebrate their experiences through fandom and art.
For this event, "fancontent" means any creation related to a fandom, whether it's a headcanon, a piece of meta, fanfic, fanart, a playlist,... All fandoms are welcome!
The content created for this event should center a character's arospec identity (this can be a canon identity or a headcanon).
We only accept entries from creators who identify as being on the aromantic spectrum or who are questioning whether they might be.
This event is an opportunity for creators to explore their identities through fanwork within a supportive community. It's also a perfect way for fans of all kinds (arospec or not) to enjoy art and have fun!
Join us from June 22 to June 28 2025 for an explosion of arospec fancontent on your dash!
To submit content to the event, please make a new post between June 22 and June 28 and tag it as #AggressivelyArospecWeek. You can also submit your work directly to our blog through the ask and submission boxes. Your post will then be shared on the Aggressively Arospec blog.
A collection will also be opened on Archive of Our Own to round up all the fanfics posted on there. Just search for "Aggressively Arospec Week '25" in the "Post to collections" tab when you're posting on AO3.
Help us make the 10th year of this event another success! We've only come this far through your support and creativity.
Please, take a second to share this post so your followers get to join in the fun as well š
(For more information, check out our "About" page or our FAQ section. If you need some inspiration, you can also check out all previous submissions in our #AggressivelyArospecWeek tag.)
Aphobia starts to resurface again and im wondering if you have some great, in-depth articles and/or statics about the abuse and discrimination we face.
Thanks!
Hello, wild bananas! We apologize for how long it took to get back to you. Things have been busy lately, but we found quite a few articles for you:
This is a resource masterpost intending to compile together the video essays pertaining to asexuality and aromanticism and affiliated topics online! I'm only going to be including videos that are 15+ minutes long (to qualify as a 'video essay') - of course if anyone has suggestions please feel free to contribute! This is a community project!
Compulsory Sexuality, Comphet & Asexual Alienation by Evie Lupine - slightly less of a video essay and more chatty but she does talk about academic articles on compulsory sexuality. She also did a podcast episode with @theacecouple (here: Asexuality and Kink ft. Evie Lupine) which was very interesting!
Amatonormativity by Tara Mooknee - one I've recced on here before! Definitely a bit 101 and aimed at an allo audience but still worth a watch!
The hell of "sad singles" set ups & the need for found family by Bryony Claire - sent to me! I'm afraid I haven't seen it yet.
is love a social construct? by oliSUNvia - recommended to me by a friend! Again, I havenāt watched it yet but I know pertains to the wider discourse around romantic love + amatonormativity.
Are Aromantic and Asexual Representation Queer Enough? (Buddy Daddies) by VIKA - I haven't seen this series but it's an aspec reading / analysis on the main relationship in the show!
Rowan Ellis has a few here:
the chronically online state of asexual discourse - I've recced this one before on this blog and I still highly recommend it!
The Rise of Asexual Representation
They've also done an interview with Alice Oseman about aspec representation but it's more of a discussion than a video essay, so I haven't included it.
Spacey Aces (their entire channel is dedicated to discussing aspec topics so check that out if that interests you!) - most of their content is more chat/101 focused and not so much video essay-y but I've picked two which I think qualify:
A-specs vs Amatonormative Media (and the world)
Lavender Marriage | a history of purple and relationship anarchy in the queer community
David J Bradley has quite a few essays, here:
Alone. Not Alive. | A Queer Reading Of Company
Sherlock Holmes: Asexual Icon
That One Time House Cured Asexuality
Maybe You Haven't Met The Right Person Yet | An Asexual Video Essay
Asexuals and Sex - more of an explanatory 101 video but still felt like I should include it!
Meghan Sandor has some here:
Polyamory, Relationship Anarchy & Queerplatonic Partnerships: Are They Really the Same Thing?
Hi, I'm unsure about what I feel and which label I would fit into. I know that sometimes I feel intense sexual attraction, but it lasts for seconds before I stop feeling it. After that it takes a while for me to feel it again or I only feel it weakly. I always thought I felt differently than allos, I've even considered the label graysexual and acespike, but I always invalidate myself in the end, that I wouldn't be ace enough. I don't know where I fit in. Thank you for your attention
for what it's worth coming from a stranger, that definitely sounds like a gray-aspec experience. if you feel alienated from allosexuals, you're welcome here, whether you're "really" ace or not and regardless of if you have a firm label. figuring these things out can be a struggle; try to be kind to yourself
June is over and there have been some WONDERFUL submissions shared, and I can't be selfish and keep them to myself. So here are the submissions that were shared with me (they're shared in hyperlinks, click the name of the post to access them) :
Aromantic in an AllonormativeĀ World (shared by Elin on her blog "The Aromantic Perspective")
My Future (shared by Tabby on Tumblr)
Managing Expectations in an Allonormative World (shared by Frawley on their blog "Nothing Radical")
We Need More Focus on Aromanticism (shared by Mia on their blog "Writing For Life")
Calling for more diverse media representation (shared by Sara on her blog "Blog of Sara JakŔa")
A Tumblr submission made by user nonesensed.
Thanks everyone who submitted, and if you still want to write about this topic, you're free to. You can send it to me and I'll share it!
Conversations like these are important if we want to progress aro awarness. Also, remember to check out this month's call for submissions.
Central Ohio Aces and Aros @centralohioacesandaros - Tumblr Blog | Tumgag
