#rep: gray-aromantic

[haileygonzales]

Canon aro rep in my New Adult Urban Fantasy series (Gray Stone Witches by Hailey Gonzales):

Rachel is alloaro.

She was my favorite character to write. Readers hated her in book one and then she had a Steve Harrington redemption arc and she became a fan favorite.

She’s fierce. She’s sarcastic She’s rude. If you’re her friend, she’ll burn the world for you.

[hpowellsmith]

Recommendation request! books/stories/games with trans guy or transmasc love interests because I read a dark erotica anthology about queer masculinity* and although there were some trans guy protagonists, there weren't any trans men treated as objects of desire**, and it made me realise I've really not read many. And I would like to read more!

So I would love recommendations:

something at least a bit steamy

I'm less interested in positive rep (whatever that means) than in characters that draw you in and don't let go

I'm not very into a highly quippy/bantery sort of style of dialogue/narrative

I'm not super interested in adorable smol bean trans guy love interests currently, unless there's something weird going on with them underlying the adorableness

I don't mind bigotry being depicted, but a cis protagonist having weird feelings about the fact that they're into romancing a trans guy is not of interest to me (weird feelings about things other than the character being trans are great)

Trans protagonists are not a must but are a great bonus

Varied genres welcome especially horror and erotica, but I'm not in the mood for YA right now. I'm on the fence about contemporary romance - I loved Make You Mine This Christmas by Lizzie Huxley-Jones because it had such heart but I think it really needs to have solid, substantial foundations for me to keep focused

Some queer fiction I've enjoyed in the last year or so: The Companion by EE Ottoman, Wrath Goddess Sing by Maya Deane, Summer Sons by Lee Mandelo, Spear by Nicola Griffith, The Others of Edenwell by Verity Holloway, Real Life by Brandon Taylor, Dead Collections by Isaac Fellman, Make You Mine This Christmas by Lizzie Huxley-Jones, anything by May Peterson, anything by Rien Gray

*not to diss the anthology by any means: I liked a lot of the stories in it, and I'll be posting a bit about it at the end of the month, just that I noticed that all the guys the protagonists were interested in were cis

**in this case "love interest" wasn't really applicable because of the nature of the stories - I'm happy to read stories where the relationship isn't so much of a love thing, as well as romantic or aromantic stories but I would enjoy some spiciness and a depiction of trans men as highly desirable

[auroramoon-draws16]

I can’t stop thinking about this, but it’s not Assassin’s Creed, sorry folks.

Hogwarts Legacy x Harry Potter

(No real spoilers, mostly vague references, iykyk)

I just need BAMF! Player Character/MC to pop up in the Harry Potter era. I’ve thought about several ways how:

1. Ghost. MC is the damn best duelist in history, but they can’t win ‘em all. Keep fighting the hardest fights, or get caught in a bad ending, and it’s curtains. So, what if MC didn’t feel like they did enough, hadn’t been able to help their friends enough, so they stayed, and in that decision, the wizarding world’s history changed. You call that defense against the dark arts??? That’s bullshit is what that is! Hey kid, here’s how you properly duel a bitch. Yes, it’s entirely legal to throw furniture and other objects at your opponent. Yes, you can throw your opponent. Prophecy? You guys traumatized a child! Hey, you, Harry was it? I gotchu, kid.

2. A painting. It’s pretty clear that the portraits all over the school are alive and retain some personality and characteristics of the subjects. Mostly when the subject actually adds more to their portrait to have a better effect. The MC was also one of the few who could use ancient magic, so that could be a reason they decided to have their portrait done, to ensure the next generation would have some sort of guidance they didn’t get. Not only that, but also help future duelists. So maybe the portrait can only be accessed by asking the Room of Requirement, mostly because ancient magic secrets are best kept between users. Imagine that portrait being found by Harry, he asks the room for help teaching Dumbledor’s Army spells and suddenly a portrait of a person no one has heard of, but apparently is the best duelist in the history of the wizarding world perks up and goes “alright, bet.” (This can also work for the ghost version) Well, the portrait could also just be out in public, but the MC is just not there, cue mystery to be solved!

3. Time travel. Ancient magic is wonky, it can happen! Cue sudden transfer student shenanigans. Also, chosen one? That is a child, MC has seen enough shit to know that’s fucked up and Harry needs better supports in his life, dammit. Older sibling MC goes brrrrr.

4. Apparition. Ancient magic wonky shit, part 2! Prophecies are bullshit. That is a child, and that bitchy 80 year old snake face needs to eat concrete. Harry stumbles upon an ancient magic item before he gets to Hogwarts. A necklace or a bracelet or some shit. Now baby Harry has a friend! MC takes one look at this child and goes “anybody gonna love and care for this one? No? Aight, mine now.” They can’t do much, but they are visible and heard only to Harry, so that means they can keep him company and tutor him wherever possible. How did they end up like this??? Uh…. Don’t worry about it.

5. Pensives. Somebody has to learn from history, and books are boring dammit. And easily edited. MC’s got your back kiddos.

6. How long do wizards live? Oh shit, yeah, MC is still alive. Heyyyy bitches, I’m your new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor! Who here knows how to throw a bitch at a wall? No? Well we got a lot of catching up to do. I may be old, but I’m still the best damn duelist around.

Idk, I wanted to have some fun with this and I haven’t seen anyone do this with an actual character. You can add backstories and shit. I hate reader inserts, okay? Don’t judge me :/ (also I’m tired of the romance, I love me a good ship, but my aromantic ass wants to see cute platonic shit, okay?)

Here’s my MC for Hogwarts Legacy, even tho I don’t have the game, lmao:

Morgan Diane Rook (They/Them)

Black wavy hair that goes just past their ears, gray eyes, tan skin, freckles, round face, scar on their cheek, and in Hufflepuff (my house, also for the rep)

Sass master, protective friend, and just a little bit feral, will laugh in the face of enemies. Unforgivable curses? I don’t need to be forgiven, I just need you to cease existence. You were very rude to my friend.

Obligatory Slytherins need a designated Hufflepuff best friend.

Blame the attitude on the Uncle who took them in after their parents died in an accident. Uncle Jack is from the states and ran in a gang before he went straight for his kid, he’s trying his best dammit. It’s also why they’re a transfer student, they spent a few years with Uncle Jack in the states before moving back into Mom and Dad’s place. He hired a wizard tutor, no worries. He don’t get all this magic shit, but he loves his kid, and that’s enough reason for him. They’re a damn good duelist for a reason.

Morgan also knows how to use a gun, just because :)

Idk, I think they’re neat

[notessideblog]

I’m not sorry, where was the “big asexual news” that was promised? Because I didn’t see it at all. Yea this is about Heartstopper s2. *Originally posted 08/05/23*

This rant and or essay or essay rant will be through the lens of an asexual, aka my asexual lens. If you are asexual and you disagree with me, valid. Regardless I got things to say. And it is a rant so don't be surprised when I get blunt and sharp and harsh with what's down below.

First, what I liked about the show in short, good. It gave exactly what I expected it to give especially going off the vibes of s1. A whole lot of kissing vs actually talking to show their intimacy but hey, thats that.

Again first, what I liked about the asexuality aspect in the show.

1. There's an asexual/aromantic character.

2. Shout out to 'Summer Bird Blue' (aroace main character) and 'Ace: What Asexuality Reveals about Desire, Society, and the Meaning of Sex' as I have read them both and love them. (Wouldn't recommend 'Ace' to someone who is just realizing they are asexual without reading a less theorized/asexuality book prior to but it was wonderful to see it.)

That's it.

Like if you have never seen asexual rep in any form of media until now, I'm glad you got to see it here but when I hear "BIG ASEXUAL NEWS" I expect it to be big. This wasn't big. It was small, medium at best and I wasn't satisfied.

My first impression of Heartstopper was just basic curiosity back in 2022. I only heard of the name from seeing the graphic novel in my library years prior. And when the trailer came out, I had already read 'Loveless' by Alice Oseman (I was reading any book with ace characters and waited patiently to finally get my hands on this book that was wonderful for me) so I recognized the name. And watched it. I had no expectations then. The expectations came when I discovered after watching s1 that Oseman tweeted this:

That is when I had expectations for s2 and held her to that. And I had full faith. Oseman is literally aroace! Oseman has said openly that having aro/ace characters in their stories is extremely important to them! Oseman is basically an aroace activist and their name is one of the known names in the community! So of course, I was happy to not only watch s2 of Heartstopper but also support her as she is a voice I believe that can more people recognize asexuality. And I still do believe that; this rant isn't about her personhood, ethics or vibe. We have seen how many famous people show us that we do not know them at all so I'm not making any statements about who they are as an individual - nah I'm over doing that. I'm criticizing them as an AroAce author/activist plus Executive Producer of Hearstopper that has openly stated they want to show more ace and aro rep in media. My question is, the minute you saw your rise in fame and rise in popularity of Heartstopper the tv show why didn't you run to add that purple, black, gray, and white in the show? Because of all the shows to showcase asexuality on a main stage, Heartstopper can and dammit should be that.

Hi to the non-asexuals reading this -

homoromantic (gay/lesbian) asexuals exist - biromantic asexuals exist - panromantic asexuals exist - trans asexuals exist - heteromantic asexuals exist - nonbinary asexuals exist - it's just little to no sex involved

the same goes for aromantics just in reverse - aromantic bisexuals and so on

I don't want to hear anything about taking away from the other queer identities present in the show. I'm aware of how little gay or bi or trans or otherwise queer character shows the community gets. But do you want to know how many asexual characters shows the community has? Dare I add "main asexual characters that are explicitly mentioned by name or by how they are in relation to society"? ............. Exactly. Not many. Because from 2010 till now there has been a nice chunk now and growing gay, bi, or even trans mainstream media or characters in said media (even when they are cancelled, they still existed and do exist). Having the main characters of Heartstopper have some asexuals in the show wouldn't take away anything. And it should have happened. No, no, no, no not minor characters. Main. Cast. Asexuality is insanely diverse and has so much intersectionality within it, it CAN work! Would it change the canon from the graphic novel? Yeah, but who cares, the canon was already changed!

As I was watching s2 and realize that this big asexual news was making an insanely late debut, I was already ready to write this post. By episode 6 we had gotten a little attention to asexuality being mentioned with Issac getting more screen time (oh my gosh he actually gets more time on screen and lines??! Because he was literally a background character despite being in the main friend group) and that was it. But I was like "let me not run my mouth, maybe in the graphic novel Issac had way more time to shine and then it led into him being asexual seamlessly." So I go to the wiki and learn all about the Osemanverse - all Oseman's books are in the same universe - and all the characters of Heartstopper and to my surprise Issac didn't even exist in the novel! Lol! So now knowing that, I know all about Issac and can now run my mouth.

Issac was created for the show most likely to replace a character named Aled who was gay demisexual and also the main character for 'Radio Silence' another book of Oseman's but was part of the friend group in Heartstopper graphic novel. I find it really weird that the ace character got cut because it "wouldn't fit with the timeline" as he was a main character in another story but whatever (Oseman on tumblr says here). They bring us Issac. And in s1 he is the quiet one (literally he barely has lines) who holds a book all the time listening to his besties romance antics and sometimes being a voice of reason (within a minute to 3 minutes cause thats all he gets). And in s2 he is STILL the quiet one who has little screen time but a little bit more lines holding a book all the time listening to his besties romance antics BUT NOW has an intro to a guy who he likes but is questioning how far that "like" extends to then realizing the term aromantic asexual resonates with him....in the quickest, exposition-based way I have seem.

'Heartstopper' Season 2 Will Explore Isaac's Asexuality, Says Alice Oseman (collider.com)

WHEN?! Because it seems like any time to Issac was rushed. Am I supposed to appreciate the literal 1-to-2-minute discussion with the AroAce artist while we barely saw the actual art piece and then the exposition-like description of living in a world heavily toward romance or sex? Were the little purple graphics supposed to make my heart leap? Nope that is reserved for another character of a different show (more on that later). It wasn't explored - not like the relationship between Tara and Darcy or the connection between Elle and Tao, who are also not the main-main characters! Secondary characters if you will. I didn't add Charlie and Nick because of course most screen time would be dedicated to them, they are the primary characters. But shit! Even the two gay teachers had a more intimate and kind handling of their gay experiences and then falling for each other! And they are tertiary characters we just met! I---. I can't get it. Why didn't Issac get the same level of focus in this show? Explored? It was barely shown sans Issac telling James he didn't feel what he thinks is romance toward him. And then at the end where Issac grabs the 'Ace' book. I mean okay then...

Now for Oseman. Listen, I do not know her entire ace life story. However, I did read interviews about them and their quest for asexual representation and also aromantic representation. In a Guardian interview states - "'The world is obsessed with sex and romance. And if you don’t have that, you feel like you haven’t achieved something that’s really important,' she says. Oseman tries to highlight the importance of platonic relationships in her own work – even in Heartstopper, an out-and-out love story, friendship is hugely important – and to include asexual representation in her books."

I will say, friendships are shown to be highly important in the show so I have no qualms with that. I do have qualms with what she states next: "As much as Oseman and others like her are trying to start conversations about asexuality, she doesn’t think it’s going to be a widely talked about subject any time soon. 'We’re never really going to see much cultural change in terms of awareness until a big celebrity comes out as being asexual,' she says. 'And there’s nothing I can do about that.'"

You as an individual human on this Earth can't change that yes but lets stop pretending you don't have strong influence now, from your Webtoon days and now to Heartstopper TV days. Oseman even recognizes the attention and new fame that has come to them since the show premiered and became so popular that even Netflix (Mr. Let me cancel a show that people actually liked) renewed it for s2 and s3 practically a month after its premiere. So, I don't get it? Why not add in more asexual rep in the show? Why not run to do so especially because you didn't back when you first starting your author journey? Again, I've read up on them; I know Oseman may have discovered the term asexual at 18 but didn't claim it then and had many years of questioning themselves (not looking into asexuality, believing they may be demisexual, trying to like boys etc) until 2020 when they came out publicly when 'Loveless' debuted. So their old stories wouldn't have asexuality in them. Heartstopper may have been wrapped for s1 production by that point, but Heartstopper said officially on Sept 22, 2022 that production had started. Which really means from the end of spring into the summer s2 had started being produced and written. AGAIN, as the executive producer seeing the massive popularity for this teen show, why didn't you say "hey this is different from the graphic novels but thats okay because we can have two different forms of canon in these two different forms of media (novel, tv) - but lets make a main character(s) be on the ace/aro spectrum! The audience will be open to it!" And who would I make asexual as a main character? Easy peasy - Nick.

I refer you to the italicized words above with all the labels I listed. Anyway. The bisexual to asexual pipeline is real and many aces say that before figuring out they were ace they assumed they were bi because they didn't have a preference toward a gender and assumed either was good. I literally thought it for a long time myself. And it can work perfectly because Nick in s1 and s2 was thinking about his sexuality. The scene in episode 6 where things get intimate, and Nick stops Charlie as he isn't ready to do anything more than kissing though he says he wants to just not at that moment. Charlie literally states, "And I'd only wanna do it if you did, and...if you didn't ever want to do it, then I wouldn't either." THE STAGE IS SET. And what could have happened next is Nick goes on his phone (they on them phones all the time anyway) to look up why he's nervous about having sex despite liking his boyfriend, scrolls down page after page, sees posts about the pressure to have sex, in the article it mentions asexual people. Boom! Seed is planted. Obligatory: Aces can have sex as asexuals can fall under sex-favorable, sex indifferent (the two that would or could engage in sexual activity), sex-averse, and sex-replused. Then we would have Issac and Nick, both aces showing the beautiful spectrum that is asexuality and a dab into aromanticism. And yeah, I read that Tori will be officially stated as asexual and aromantic in Volume 5 of the graphic novel but as of now thats only for the graphic novels.

I don't write fanfic nor will I so no I won't just make up a fannon to satisfy me but when I hear Big Asexual News I expect it to be big. Because while Issac's realization of asexuality may have been nice I've seen better. Remember that character I mentioned before? Yea well its no surprise, its Todd Chavez from BoJack Horseman and not only was it actually built up longer with more focus on Todd, it was also the main queer sexuality in the show. Besides the former producer man who was gay (and Bojack ruined his tv career), then got cancer and died - Todd's asexuality was the main focus - main character - for diversity and I loved every second of it. You saw him not only realize something was amiss with him, go to an ace meeting and see differences in the ace spectrum, get a gf, realize the gf and him didn't have to date just bc they were ace, not back down when others would question if he could have romance, and eventually find a nice girl and move in together. Not to mention how the show pokes fun at allosexuality in a satire way. And you would think a show like Heartstopper with the influence of a literal AroAce person could match this or surpass this for the 13 to 17 teen audience (BoJack is good but heavy so kids shouldn't just watch it lightly) but it just fell flat.

I really feel like asexuality and aromanticism was pushed to the side by allosexuality and alloromanticism yet again, but it irritates me this time because it didn't have to be. And if Oseman didn't say anything, didn't hype the asexuals desperate to see more asexuality on screen in mainstream pop culture, then this post would have never existed. Yea the other producers and writers and blah blah blah may have stopped them, I can see how one executive producer doesn't have all the power but damn that tweet had me convinced that they had a significant amount of influence. And yes again, can 1 person change everything? NO. Oseman cannot be the only AroAce person to change the tides, we need more activists and people demanding to see more ace or aro rep. Yasmin Benoit is a great one who is getting more and more known by the day, more asexual books are being bought and in libraries, asexuality has more of an understanding than it did years ago (still a long way now). But in terms of asexuality in media.....not just the dumb stereotype of a robotic person or the "well you arent conventionally attractive or charismatic so it fits that u are aro or ace or aroace" or soley based on they had a trauma (bc that isnt a prerequisite for asexuality)....there's not many.

I don't care about spoilers for s3 so, in the future, before I decide to watch or not, I am seeing if more aroace identity is directly present before I decide to support the show in streams. Which won't matter in the long run because 1 person not watching won't hurt its popularity and I don't want it to. I don't want to hurt the show or dismiss how it is a showcase of lgbtqia in a happy, comforting, fantastic binge worthy show. I just want more for asexuality in media and this show could have launched it far if they actually made it big.

[jrhartauthor]

When it comes to writing contemporary romance, there are certain expectations that readers may have:

A happily ever after or happy for now ending (HEA or HFN)

Chemistry between the main character and love interest

Intimacy

But when it comes to the last point, it’s high time to recognize that intimacy comes in different forms. For one, not every book needs on-page sexual intimacy. Many writers choose a closed-door sex scene, or to have their characters go as far as kissing and stop short of anything past that. But as LGBTQ+ representation in fiction grows, and we start to see more asexual and aromantic rep in stories, it may not just be about what an author wants to share on the page, but also about what a character feels comfortable with doing with their partner.

When it comes to writing characters under the ace and aro umbrellas, it’s important to know that these identities aren’t a monolith. Some asexual characters are sex-repulsed. Some enjoy sex in the right circumstances. Some enjoy sex under all circumstances. Asexual simply means “does not experience sexual attraction.” It doesn’t necessarily mean the character doesn’t want to have sex. Similarly, asexual characters may have an identity anywhere along the ace spectrum. A character could be asexual, gray asexual, demisexual… the list goes on.

Aromantic characters could want a queerplatonic partnership. Some aromantic characters may be okay with a relationship where their partner is alloromantic, and experiences and shares romantic feelings toward them, even if they don’t share those feelings in return, and that’s okay too.

When writing your character, taking time to research their specific identity and make sure that you’re writing it authentically is a huge help. Spend time learning about the terms used within the ace and aro communities, and what your character might feel, think, and understand of sexuality and romance.

As I wrote The Heartbreak Handshake, I honestly wondered whether or not readers would be okay with an contemporary romance with hugging as the peak of physical intimacy in the story. While the series it is a part of—the Clover Hill Romance series—ranges from no sex on page to open-door fully descriptive sex, and I knew there was a place for it in the series itself, having space in a series and space in readers’ hearts is a very different thing.

It turns out a lot of my fears were unfounded. The reality is, pushing your character outside of their comfort zone will bother a reader far more than writing something they may feel is “tame” by comparison to other stories. And if they’re not a fan of where your character (and you) draw the line? They may not be your target audience!

Regardless of if you’re writing the spiciest of spice allo romance, or an asexual one, using inclusive language is incredibly important. In the same way that you wouldn’t want to say “my friend Taz likes both genders,” (if Taz likes men and women, you can say men and women without dismissing that other genders exist), using inclusive language when it comes to asexuality and aromanticism can be helpful too. Check out the difference between these two ways of phrasing things:

“After spending so much time with her, my hope is that one day, we’ll be more than friends.”

“After spending so much time with my best friend, my hope is that she’ll feel the same spark I do.”

Both of these sentences imply that two people are on the cusp of a potential relationship, and that maybe they’ve been friends in the past with a possibility the relationship may shift in the future. Now take this example into consideration.

“Judging by the way they both acted, I got the impression they were more than friends.”

“Judging by the way they both acted, I got the impression they were definitely into each other.”

Again, both sentences convey the same basic meaning. But once again, one conveys that being friends is “less than” being in a romantic or sexual relationship. This isn’t true! And for many, a friendship is equally (or more) desirable.

All it takes is a little shifting of your language to make it more inclusive, and make sure that you’re putting romantic, sexual, and platonic relationships on equal footing.

If you’re not asexual or aromantic, writing a character that is can be hard. After all, there are tons of misconceptions about asexual and aromantic people. Hiring a sensitivity reader within this community—especially if they share your character’s exact identity—can help you ensure the most accurate portrayal possible. Even if you are ace or aro, the reality is, different ace and aro people have different experiences, and getting a second perspective (or third! Or fourth!) can help you flesh out your character more realistically. Lived experience when writing will almost always be better than writing a character you don’t share an identity with, especially if that identity is a margilized one—like another race, sexuality, or gender identity. Keeping that in mind as you write can help you pick your character and what you’re writing to begin with.

No one will ever argue that beta reading isn’t difficult or time consuming, but unlike beta reading, sensitivity reading places a special burden on the reader, often on a marginalized reader. Sensitivity reads are often reserved for reading a specific racial, sexual, gender, cultural, or disabled identity, and this can put a huge emotional or mental drain on a sensitivity reader. As a result, sensitivity reading should be paid work whenever possible. That said, if a sensitivity reader is up for a work or goods exchange, by all means, that’s an option too. Just remember that a sensitivity read requires a very different skillset and level of effort than beta reading or editing, and should be compensated accordingly.

You don’t have to skirt around your characters’ identity in writing. Often, sharing character identity actually helps a reader find what they’re looking for, both as you write and as you market your work as a writer. Being unapologetic about your characters’ ace or aro identity can help you find the readers your book is after.

Understanding Asexuality-The Trevor Project The Asexuality Visibility and Education Network (AVEN)* Asexuality, Attraction, and Romantic Orientation-UNC Chapel Hill’s LGBTQ Center 5 Asexuals Explain what Asexuality Means to Them-Tinder (Video) 4 Demisexual People Explain what Demisexuality Means to Them-Tinder (Video) r/Asexuality and r/Aromantic on Reddit (Additional identities linked in Reddit Sidebars)** What it Means to be Aromantic-VeryWellMind Aromantic-spectrum Union for Recognition, Education, and Advocacy (AUREA)

*Please note: AVEN’s forums have sometimes been problematic. Your mileage may vary. Viewer discretion is advised.

**Reddit can often be problematic, especially outside of LGBTQ+ subreddits, but also within them. Viewer discretion is advised.

Please note Amazon links are affiliate links

The Heartbreak Handshake (cis m/nonbinary)

Goodreads | Amazon

Clover Hill Romance Series website | Goodreads | Amazon

Sex-repulsed asexual MC, nonbinary MC, autistic MC with sensory aversion to sexual intimacy, MC with ADHD

Content warnings: real-life aviation disasters resulting in death, autistic character faces unkindness for being autistic, referenced ace-phobia

Paxton McKee, Clover Hill’s rideshare driver and handyman, is known by his customers as responsible, dependable, and loyal. On first dates, though, he’s known by another word: boring. His dates never seem to appreciate his in-depth knowledge of famous aviation disasters or his LEGO expertise. His book club buddy, Mrs. Sawyer, keeps trying to set him up. But after so many failed dates, Paxton’s given up on finding someone who can accept him, special interests, stims, and all.

Hand-crafter Remi Sawyer put Clover Hill in their rear-view mirror to sell at craft fairs across the country. But being a traveling artisan is harder than Remi thought. With mounting bills, they’ve ended up back home. Being in their old teenage bedroom is weird. Even weirder, their mother keeps trying to set them up on dates, even after they’ve made it clear the homecoming is temporary.

To get Mrs. Sawyer off their backs, Paxton and Remi agree on a scheme: they’ll go on three dates. When it’s over, Paxton can pretend to be heartbroken, and Remi can get back on the road. They even shake on it. But awkward dates lead to the realization the two have a lot in common. Kissing is gross? Check. Spending quiet time doing projects together is enjoyable? Double check.

But Remi is still hell-bent on leaving Clover Hill again, and Paxton is dead-set on staying. Can they find a new vision that doesn’t involve Remi leaving their kindred spirit behind, or are they both destined to lose the person who might be their perfect companion?

–

Go Truck Yourself (cis f/nonbinary)

Coming Soon

Clover Hill Romance Series website | Goodreads | Amazon

Aromantic MC, nonbinary MC, Asexual MC, bi/panromantic MC, single parent MC, autistic child side character

Content warnings: attempted business sabotage, mentions of absentee parents, brief mention of a parent’s sobriety/rehab, brief mention of a deceased parent, mention of the death of a sperm donor/family member, minors using curse words, family member with dementia, mention of foreign exchange study programs in a positive light, mentions of travel social media and modern colonization

Between being a single parent and running a successful food truck, Myla Horan has no room for drama in her life. She's got her nose to the grindstone to make Tasteful Noods a successful noodle business year-round. But when her friend-turned-rival Zo comes back to town, they start to squeeze into her prime Clover Hill locations… and her profit margins.

After Zo moves back to town to care for their ailing uncle and starts a business of their own, they’re not surprised that Myla’s Tasteful Noods are faring better than their tiny food trailer, You're My Jam. After all, driven Myla can do anything she sets her mind to. Unfortunately, it also means all of the animosity they ended things with has resurfaced.

When Myla and Zo agree there's only room in Clover Hill for one of them, they make a deal: whoever loses the First Annual Clover Hill Food Truck Frenzy shuts down their truck. Forever.

But will serious sabotage leave them both truckless for the competition and threaten both of their chances at victory? Or will they work together as an unexpected dream team and find out they’re better as partners than rivals after all?

–

Getting Off (cis m/cis m)

Goodreads | Amazon | NineStar Press Website

Demisexual MC, biromantic/bisexual MC, gay MC

Content warnings: homophobia, homophobic slurs, bi-erasure, biphobia, sexual assault (on page), forced outing

JJ is certain he’s got everything figured out. He’s straight, right? He’s just not into the hookup culture prevalent on his college soccer team. But he’s trying to hide that to avoid getting on his team captain’s bad side.

Kade is anything but straight. Out and proud, he’s curious about how the “other half” lives… even as his best friends remind him there’s more to the LGBTQ+ community than just the “G.” Curious, Kade texts JJ a simple question: do straight guys ever get off together?

When JJ’s reply leads to a head-spinning sexual spark, he starts questioning everything he knows about his sexuality, both in terms of who he’s attracted to, and also why hookups have never been his thing. But when JJ endures trauma that confuses him more, he starts pushing Kade away. Kade has to learn how to be a supportive friend, and more than that, a supportive partner, or risk losing JJ altogether. And JJ? He has to fight for his team to be team players, even when they suspect he’s “playing for the other team.”

Please note: I haven’t read every book on the above lists, and cannot vouch for them. My inclusion of these lists here is not a recommendation of these books specifically, but instead an indication they exist.

LGBTQReads List of Books by Romantic/Sexual Orientation from @lgbtqreads

EpicREADS list of 23 YA Books with Asexual Representation from @epicreads

QueerBooksforTeens list of books with Aromantic Characters

QueerBooksforTeens list of books with Asexual Characters

Buzzfeed’s list of 17 Books about Asexual and Aromantic Validation from @buzzfeedbooks (cc: @buzzfeedlgbt)

Did you find this post helpful? Consider buying me a Ko-Fi!

[kimyoonmiauthor]

Heartstopper review Netflix

So more like a quick rundowns of the positives and negatives of the show. I'm not doing a summary. Mild spoilers ahead, but no plot specifics.

Positives:

It shows very well how coming out is a process, rather than all at once. This eliminates the straight gaze pat-on-the back.

I think it shows how being an ally and allies saying things is sometimes really awkward really well.

It shows queer joy very well. I enjoyed that.

It addresses sexual assault well by labeling it for what it is.

It features a lot of different identities at once.

The music is spot on

The explaining of what prejudice feels like is really spot on. Especially long term prejudice.

The parents are also lovely in the show as most of the adults. Honestly makes my queer heart hurt since I didn't get that for the majority of my life.

I like the shades of queer acceptance from family members--that's more realistic.

Honestly, Tao is my favorite character. Feels effortless. I'd love him to be pan or omni... ^^;; If the actor consents.

I love how queerness kisses the line between casual rep yet not token, but never veers into kill your gays, or queer tragic. It's queer joy with a side of nuance.

I like that the jerk is called Harry, seems like a reference.

I like it shows what comes after coming out, so it's not I've come, out now fight with the straight people, and then movie is over feeling. It shows there is hope and process, etc afterwards.

I like show it shows queer adults so it doesn't end with being teens. It talks about being a queer adult and discovering it late.

There are multiples of the identity shown and it talks carefully, but smartly about "passing".

The reference to Pirates of the Caribbean making a lot of people realize they were Bi, I appreciated it, though honestly, hated it for the racism and said so when I watched it. 'cause really disliked the rep on Voudou, and was called uptight for it. (We're no longer friends) And if I'm complaining, and read objections, then yeah, gotta be worse for the ID.

The smooth insert of a wheelchair user. I appreciated that.

Yes to queer solidarity.

The code switching is done really well in both French and Cantonese.

I like how it's mostly discovery, and the conflict is mostly undercut, but if they are together, they feed each other rather than it being one note all the time.

Asian boy gets to date I also like rather than the usual desexualizing.

The discussion of mental health and the intersectionality with queer teens, in particular, I liked.

Talking about consent is some of the best.

Talking about the unpleasantness of being outed without permission is done well.

Negatives:

I think for identities that are not completely one way or another, it kind of skims past them. It's the prominent LGBTQIA (though missing the I and two As.) For example, nonbinary (including agender etc), intersex of any kind, aromantic (She's working on it I think), gray-a (demi included of either ID), pan and/or omni. Feels more like mainstream queer identities. There's also generally queer rather than one. at. a. time. I'd like more shades for series 3 and intersectionality. The creator is not one at a time either. So I have faith they'll get there.

Questioning isn't shown very well. I'm not a fan of that. I thought it was shown by half and how confusing it all is with Nick, but for some reason I felt it was undercut a lot by Ben because he was questioning for much longer and was an AH about it. I thought shades of questioning were left out as well. I did like the whole doom and gloom feel after feeling joy at having a label. I felt that. Some nuance I felt was flattened for this ID. I sometimes get akoiromantic or apromantic from Ben, but I'd prefer him not being an A about it.

Tao mostly mentions American and UK movies. He speaks Cantonese, and Cantonese movies have subs, so I'm kind of surprised he's not shared them with his friends. I mean Kung Fu Hustle, objectively is a great movie. Stephen Chow? There's also plenty of Cantonese Language Rom Coms too for him to love. We live in an era where you can get subs on anything. Take advantage of it. For me as an Asian I also like watching shows with people of my own nationality and face. He has the internet and computer.

I feel somewhat 50/50 on some of the animation because sometimes it feels added as if it doesn't trust the actors to deliver, rather than added because it adds something. I think in series 2, it got a bit better so it enhances, rather than shows a lack of trust. That said, the animated cut aways I really like--where it animates around imagined things said in prejudice, etc.

Asexual extroverts also exist? Almost all of the Aces I've seen on TV tend to be introverts, outcasts and weirdos. But I'd also like to see ambiverts, aces that like flirting (which also exist), gray-aces (including demis), and aces that get along with other people in their friend groups very well. Black Stripe isn't the only way to "prove aceness" the majority of aces just don't feel primary sexual attraction or it goes away later (demis and some gray-a's feel secondary sexual attraction). It doesn't come with other personality traits like "hating other people" or are all introverted. I'd like to see this challenged. What's step 2 after coming out? 'cause there is ace joy too.

Race isn't handled as well as the queer rep. I don't feel the same degree of race joy that I do queer joy.

Where are the desis besides Farouk?

All of the PoCs are paired with different race PoCs? The only same race couples are white. And I'm not saying that PoC/PoC interracial dating is "wrong" but I'd like to also see the reality that some PoCs also date same race too.

[queerbookcorner]

Okay, kicking off the Pride month rec-party by starting at the beginning of the alphabet and getting some (much needed) Asexual and Aromantic Umbrella Recs up!

Top 3 Picks:

The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzi Lee (Book #2 in the Montague Siblings duology) Sassy Summary: Local AroAce who is much more interested in medical procedures than romance finds herself caught up in an adventure with a bisexual Muslim pirate and an aspiring naturalist running from an arranged marriage with her large dog. Sequel to The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue, which does feature the AroAce character Felicity in a major role as well.

Rep: Main character is asexual and aromantic and expresses this as explicitly as she can with her historical setting. Secondary lead is a bisexual Muslim lady. And there's a background pairing (from the first novel) of a bisexual guy and his biracial boyfriend.

The Wrong Stars by Tim Pratt (Book #1 of the Axiom trilogy)

Sassy Summary: Mass Effect Queer Edition. This space opera balances wise-cracking characters with fast-paced action scenes and never gets too heavy or super serious on you.

Rep: Amongst the cast representation you have Janice who is asexual (in the text, not just hinted), a non-binary crew member with they/them pronouns, two bisexuals (one who later self-identifies as demisexual), and near the end you find out another character is a transwoman just casually. The author himself has also identified as being on the asexual spectrum, making this #ownvoices

We Awaken by Calista Lynn

Sassy Summary: Asexuality: The Novel. This story explores asexuality, what it means to be asexual and romance with asexuality all with a nice paranormal fantasy flavoring to push the plot along.

Rep: Not one, but TWO asexual main characters! Asexual Homoromantic with F/F romance that is also interracial. And this is an #ownvoices title.

The rest of the list:

Tash Hearts Tolstoy by Kathryn Ormsbee (Asexual Heteroromantic)

Beneath the Citadel by Destiny Soria (Asexual Aromantic)

This Song is (Not) For You by Laura Nowlin (Asexual, Polyromantic)

Radio Silence by Alice Oseman (Demisexual)

Before I Let Go by Marieke Nijkamp (Asexual Aromantic)

Sawkill Girls by Claire Legrand (Asexual)

Vicious and Vengeful by V.E. Schwab (Asexual)

That’s Not What Happened by Kody Keplinger (Asexual Heteroromantic) 

Let’s Talk About Love by Claire Kann (Asexual Biromantic, Demisexual 

The Lost Coast by Amy Rose Capetta (Gray-Asexual Gray-Aromantic)

Hullmetal Girls by Emily Skrutskie (Asexual Aromantic)

Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan Maguire (Asexual  Heteroromantic)

Beyond the Black Door by A.M. Strickland (Asexual Demiromantic)

[acelor-acetaylorswift]

ARO/ACE O N T H E G O

🖤💜🤍 this is acelor where we document every time Taylor has looked like the asexual flag (black, grey, white, and purple stripes) or aromantic flag (green, black, grey, white) 🤍💚🖤 or aro/ace flag 💙🤍💛🧡

[life-of-an-asexual]

ace and aro books

went on a deep dive to find some aspec rep for myself and this is some of what i came up with. not official recommendations since i haven't read most of them, but they exist and i've put several of them on my own TBR list. these are all books i haven't seen on other rec lists, and i've done my best to confirm that the rep is aspec

if any of y'all have read these, feel free to share your thoughts or correct me if i've gotten something wrong

(organized alphabetically by title and separated by age demographic; mixed genres; subject to being updated)

(ftr just because an author is not specified to be ace or aro does not necessarily mean they are allo; i include that info if i happen to come across it, but i am not going out of my way to track down the identities of every single author)

(some of these books contain themes or scenarios that may be triggering for some readers; i have only done research to ascertain the ace/aro rep; if you find certain topics upsetting to read, it is your responsibility to do the research necessary to determine if a book is appropriate for you and to proceed into a story at your own discretion)

updated 5.9.24

~Mod Q

A Milky Way Home by Hsinju Chen = adult, romance; transmasc/cis f biace4panace romance, described as low heat (author is nonbinary)

A Pale Light in the Black by K.B. Wagers = adult, science fiction; asexual MC, various other rep, coast guard in space

Alchemy by Marie S. Crosswell = adult, mystery; asexual lesbian MC, genderbent Sherlock

All the Wrong Places by Ann Gallagher = adult, romance; ace4ace m/m romance, identity discovery

An Accident of Stars by Foz Meadows = adult, fantasy; allosexual aromantic MC in a poly relationship

An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon = adult, science fiction; aroace side character, intersex MC, themes of oppression and racism

Blank Spaces & Finding Your Feet by Cass Lennox = adult, romance; both feature asexual MCs (second one features a trans LI)

The Bone People by Keri Hulme = adult, magical realism; aroace MC, themes of family and identity, deals with child abuse

The Bruising of Qilwa by Naseem Jamnia = adult, fantasy; aroace nonbinary MC, queernormative world-building

Catch Lili Too by Sophie Whittemore = adult, fantasy; asexual non-human MC, paranormal murder mystery

Chosen. Again. by J. Emery = adult, fantasy; asexual MC, saves the fantasy world as a teen then has to do it again as an adult

The Circus Infinite by Khan Wong = adult, sci fi-fantasy; asexual MC and found family dynamic

City of Strife by Claudie Arseneault = adult, fantasy; various rep including aspec (author is acearospec)

Coffee Cake by Michaela Grey = adult, romance; asexual MC, m/m relationship, mystery elements

The Crows by C.M. Rosens = adult, horror; ace (and aro?) major character, fucked up eldritch horror

Cupid Calling by Viano Oniomoh = adult, romance; demisexual biromantic MC, m/m romance, dating show setting, super fluffy

The Cybernetic Tea Shop by Meredith Katz = adult, science fiction; sapphic ace MC with a robot LI

Devon's Island by Si Clarke = adult, science fiction; aroace POV character, queernormative worldbuilding, various other rep

Earthflown by Frances Wren = adult, science fiction; ace-spec MC, m/m romance, an urban fantasy climate change apocalypse story

Eight Kinky Nights by Xan West = adult, romance; gray-ace MC, butch4femme friends-to-lovers, various other rep

Firebreak by Nicole Kornher-Stace = adult, science fiction; aroace MC, dystopia, focus on platonic relationships (author is aroace)

From the Dark We Came by J. Emery = adult, paranormal; demisexual MC, m/m romance, vampires

The Heartbreak Handshake by J.R. Hart = adult, romance; asexual MC with a non-binary LI, fully chaste (author is autistic, adhd, and nonbinary)

How Not to Summon Your True Love by Sasha L. Miller = adult, romance; ace MC and ace LI, paranormal elements

Learning Curves by Ceillie Simkiss = adult, romance; asexual MC in an f/f relationship

Never Been Kissed by Timothy Janovsky = adult, romance; demisexual MC, m/m relationship, mistakenly sent love confessions

Perfect Rhythm by Jae = adult, romance; rural lesbian romance with an asexual LI

Poisoned Primrose by Dahlia Donovan = adult, mystery; asexual autistic MC, middle-aged protagonist (author is autistic)

Rising from Ash by Jax Meyer = adult, romance; asexual MC in an f/f romance

The Romantic Agenda by Claire Kann = adult, romance; asexual MC, fake-dating (author of Let's Talk About Love)

Second Chance by Chelsea M. Cameron = adult/new adult, romance; demi bi MC in an f/f relationship, exes-to-lovers

Soft on Soft by Mina Waheed = adult, romance; demisexual MC in an f/f romance, pure fluff

Squared Away by Annabeth Albert = adult, romance; gray-a/demi MC, m/m romance with child acquisition

Stake Sauce: The Secret Ingredient Is Love. No Really by RoAnna Sylver = adult, paranormal; gray-a MC, deals with trauma

That Kind of Guy by Talia Hibbert = adult, romance; demisexual MC, fake-dating, m/f age gap romance

Thaw by Elyse Springer = adult, romance; asexual MC, an opposites-attract f/f romance

To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers = adult, science fiction; multiple ace characters, various other rep, space travel

The Trouble by Daria Defore = adult/new adult, romance?; gay aromantic MC, college setting

Upside Down by N.R. Walker = adult, romance; ace4ace m/m romance

Valentine by Julie Mannino = adult, romance; sex-averse ace MC, sexless kinky m/m relationship

We Go Forward by Alison Evans = adult, contemporary; aroace MC, centralized friendship

Werecockroach by Polenth Blake = adult, science fiction; aroace MC, deals with mental disability, also there are aliens

~

Common Bonds = anthology, speculative fiction; stories that highlight aromanticism and focus on platonic relationships

Goddess of the Hunt by Shelby Eileen = poetry, mythology; an exploration of Artemis being aroace

Queerly Loving = anthology, various genres; asexual and aromantic rep, various other rep including trans, polyamorous, and platonic relationships

~

A Dark and Starless Forest by Sarah Hollowell = young adult, paranormal; various rep including ace-spec, chosen family dynamic

Aces Wild: A Heist by Amanda DeWitt = young adult, thriller/mystery; several asexual characters

Archivist Wasp by Nicole Kornher-Stace = young adult, science fiction; aroace MC (according to author)

The Art of Saving the World by Corrine Duyvis = young adult, science fiction; asexual MC

Before I Let Go by Marieke Nijkamp = young adult, mystery; asexual (and aro?) MC

Belle Revolte by Linsey Millery = young adult, fantasy; biromantic ace MC in an f/f romance

Beneath the Citadel by Destiny Soria = young adult, fantasy; major ace character, various other rep, centralized platonic relationship

Beyond the Black Door by A.M. Strickland = young adult, fantasy; asexual MC (demi-biromantic according to author)

Clariel by Garth Nix = young adult, fantasy; asexual MC, prequel to the Old Kingdom series

Dare Mighty Things by Heather Kaczynski = young adult, science fiction; asexual (and arospec?) MC

The Facts and Legends of Callie Catwell by Sophia DeRise = young adult, fantasy; asexual MC with lesbian LI

Fire Becomes Her by Rosiee Thor = young adult, fantasy; several aspec characters

Forward March by Skye Quinlan = young adult, contemporary; asexual lesbian MC

Fourth World by Lyssa Chiavari = young adult, science fiction; demisexual MC and asexual MC (author is aroace)

From Under the Mountain by C.M. Spivey = young adult, fantasy; demisexual lesbian MC, aspec secondary characters

Good Angel by A.M. Blaushild = young adult, graphic novel; angel characters where asexual, aromantic, and agender are the assumed default but is explored with nuance

Help Wanted by J. Emery = young/new adult, fantasy; questioning aspec MC (and gender questioning)

Hullmetal Girls by Emily Skrutskie = young adult, science fiction; aroace MC, various other rep

Immoral Code by Lillian Clark = young adult, contemporary; asexual POV character, friendship dynamic with "fuck the rich" vibes

Island of Exiles by Erica Cameron = young adult, fantasy; asexual (secondary?) character, various other rep including intersex

It Sounds Like This by Anna Meriano = young adult, contemporary; asexual-questioning MC, gray-a side character, deals with a toxic friendship

The Last 8 by Laura Pohl = young adult, science fiction; aromantic MC, alien invasion apocalypse

Little Black Bird by Anna Kirchner = young adult, fantasy; questioning aspec character

Meet Cute Diary by Emery Lee = young adult, romance; trans male MC with asexual LI, m/m romance, fake dating

Meet You By Hachiko by Loren Greene = young adult, contemporary; aroace-spec MC, focus on friendship

Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko = young adult, fantasy; asexual secondary character, centralized platonic relationship

The Reckless Kind by Carly Heath = young adult, historical; asexual MC, emphasized friendship, all main characters are also disabled

The Rhythm of My Soul by Elin Dyer = young adult, mystery; aroace MC, ballet academy setting

Running with the Pack by A.M. Burns and Caitlin Ricci = young adult, contemporary; ace LI, polyamorous romance

Sawkill Girls by Claire Legrand = young adult, horror; asexual POV character (all MCs are also sapphic), themes of grief, paranormal elements

Sea Foam and Silence & The Ice Princess's Fair Illusion by S.L. Dove Cooper = young adult, fairy tale; queerplatonic retellings in verse

The Sound of Stars by Alechia Dow = young adult, science fiction; demisexual (biromantic) MC, post-alien invasion dystopia

Summer Bird Blue by Akemi Dawn Bowman = young adult, contemporary; asexual (and aro?) MC, deals with family death

The Summer of Bitter and Sweet by Jen Ferguson = young adult, contemporary; asexual MC, themes of family trauma and multiracial identity

Switchback by Danika Stone = young adult, thriller; aroace MC, survivalist situations

Tarnished Are the Stars by Rosiee Thor = young adult, steampunk; aroace MC, various other rep, cat-and-mouse game

That's Not What Happened by Kody Keplinger = young adult, contemporary; asexual MC, deals with the aftermath of a school shooting

This Golden Flame by Emily Victoria = young adult, fantasy; aroace MC (author is aroace)

Two Dark Moons by Avi Silver = young adult, fantasy; aromantic (and ace?) MC, f/nb queerplatonic relationship

Vanilla by Billy Merrell = young adult, contemporary; asexual MC, m/m relationship, coming-of-age

What We Devour by Linsey Miller = young adult, fantasy; asexual MC (biromantic according to author)

Wren Martin Ruins It All by Amanda DeWitt = young adult, contemporary; asexual MC

~

A-Okay by Jarad Greene = middle grade, graphic novel; asexual MC, deals with self-discovery and body image

Come Drink With Me, Gold and Jasper, East Flows the River by Michelle Kan = all ages?; described as aromantic chinese fairy tales

The Dragon of Ynys by Minerva Cerridwen = all ages, fairy tale; aroace MC (author is aroace)

Hazel's Theory of Everything by Lisa Jenn Bigelow = middle grade, contemporary; questioning aroace MC, themes of self-discovery

The Faerie Godmother's Apprentice Wore Green by Nicky Kyle = all ages?, fairy tale; major aroace character, focus on friendship

[arandomcat1717]

Aromantic and Asexual Cookie Run Headcanons! 

I don’t see nearly enough aspec rep so I’m making my own.

Hollyberry Cookie is an aromantic bisexual! She’s always known she doesn’t experience romance the same way most people do, but between, y’know, founding a kingdom and a war and everything, she never really had time to think about it. She only recently found the label and is very enthusiastic about it.

Ananas Dragon Cookie is a sex-repulsed asexual! No detailed headcanons, but they’re also biromantic

Both Cauliflower Cookie and Peperoncino Cookie are aroace. And also best friends!

Earl Gray Cookie is aroace! And a very loving father to the Chess Choco twins.

Vampire Cookie is an asexual gay man, he’s just very neutral on the matter.

Latte Cookie is an aromantic lesbian! She and Almond were engaged, but she realized she wasn’t attracted to him, like, at all, so she broke it off. He was upset but also understanding, and they remained close friends.

Scorpion Cookie is an asexual lesbian and Bellflower Cookie is asexual and biromantic. They are dating and in love.

That’s all for now, but I’m sure I’ll come up with more. I’d love to hear other peoples headcanons so please share! :)

[haileygonzales]

Aro rep in my books:

Take Me to Your Nerdy Leader (Bowden Anime Club): main character Paige is alloaro. A coming of age YA novel about friends, first times, anime, finding your confidence, and art.

Strange Worlds (Jensen in the Multiverse): The main character is aroace. He vaguely thinks about it in book 1 (where he learns about the identity) and confirms it in book 2. There’s other aro and ace characters. A portal fantasy: Jensen used to be a thief. Now he’s on a quest to save the multiverse from the evil Overlord.

Ancient Magic (Gray Stone Witches): Side character turned main character, Rachel, is alloaro and bisexual. This is confirmed in book 2. In book 3 and onwards she has her own POV. An urban fantasy novel about college witches who struggle to survive in a dangerous magical world while an enemy lurks in the shadows.

Luvian Code: main character, self-love Cupid, Theodosius is aromantic. A cozy urban fantasy novella about him reluctantly mentoring a fledgling Cupid, Kai, and teaching him the equality of the seven loves.

[you-can-be-what-you-want-to-be]

Tired of people saying there’s no queer rep in good omens. Like are you saying the only representation in existence is gay rep? Bc there’s several instances of trans nb rep throughout.

Like it says straight up in the book itself

[id: many people, meeting aziraphale for the first time, formed three impressions: that he was English, that he was intelligent, and that he was gayer than a tree full of monkeys on nitrous oxide. Two of these were wrong; heaven is not in England, what ever certain poets may have thought, and angels are sexless unless they really want to make an effort end id]

But that’s just the book I hear! That’s just sex, not gender I hear! Look at this

[id: pictures of  pestilence and Beelzebub| end id]

Pestilence uses they pronouns. Beelzebub uses no pronouns but Beelzebub’s name.

[id: Micheal who is played by a female actress end ID]

Micheal uses he him while having a female presenting body.

[id: a picture of Crowley as nanny ashtoreth, followed by a quote from the book. The quote says ‘“I am nanny ashtoreth,” she told him. “And this,” she continued, while the gray dog at her side eyed’ the quote stops there. The pronouns are highlighted. End id]

There is no reason to use she her pronouns with Crowley in the third person if she’s just putting on a show and not actually using she her pronouns.

And you can’t boil it down to sex either! When Crowley presents as female she is female! When Aziraphale is in madame Tracy though he still uses he him pronouns without it being weird and gets complemented on his dress!

Like this is ALREADY a queer story! Are they in love? Are they aromantic and queer platonic? Are they just friends? IT DOESNT MATTER! Bc it’s already queer! Not only in the gender sense, but that no matter who they are or are not attracted too, they can’t be straight bc there is no opposite sex or gender! These are already two canonically gender fluid/ agender characters and you’re pretending like if they don’t make out theyre cishet! No!

Like I get that you want your OTP to be canon! I want it to be canon that they’re queer platonic! But no matter what happens it’s still a queer story! You don’t get to call someone problematic bc they haven’t made your OTP canon! You can’t conveniently forget that nb people exist, and that many of them consider themselves not to be same gender attracted no matter who they’re with (and especially same SEX attracted bc we have established that orientation is not related to sex but gender) bc your OTP isn’t kissing on screen!

Not to mention they def aren’t only friends! You think friends usually go on dates at the ritz, look tenderly into each other’s eyes saying “to the world” while the WORDS “WHEN TWO LOVERS MEET IN MAYFAIR” PLAY that they have an allohet relationship? Really?

I’m sorry. This isn’t supposed to be a call out, or insulting to anyone, but like. Gaimans just a guy, who should not be harassed for not spelling everything out in text, some things are allowed to be up for interpretation, or even just not outright stated while being expected to be understood. Especially not when he already made a queer story. Chill out, leave the guy alone. Ship what you want, or don’t, it literally does not matter. Two non cis beings in a non het relationship is already queer, no matter what else happens.

[deer-in-headlights-stare]

the zombie wip intro is finally done!

Transcript under the cut (also in alt text).

First slide: 

zombie wip, a comic sans intro made by me, flower

that isn’t actually the title don’t worry

dystopian sci-fi! post-apocalyptic nonsense!

betrayal! revenge! zombies! also queer, disabled and nd rep!

Second slide:

what is this plot you speak of?

corrupt governments 

past secrets threatening to reveal everything

a revenge plot

four kids travel outside their utopian society for the first time

each with different reasons for leaving

after stumbling upon decade-old secrets about the outside world (and promptly running away)

they decide to travel together (its for safety okay?) 

zombies! Frightening and terrifying yet oddly beautiful!

more secret agendas ;) 

Third slide:

these guys (gender neutral)

[Image ID: A picrew of a pale person with long pink hair. She is wearing a black shirt that reads DON’T PANIC in rainbow gradient letters over a white turtleneck. She looks anxious. The aromantic and lesbian flags are behind her. A watermark reading “PotatoLord” is the top left corner. /End Image ID]

Liz, she/her, 19

arospec lesbian

plus size 

was just trying to grieve her mother and now has 4 children

[Image ID: A picrew of a person with light brown skin and short, choppy brown hair. She is wearing a black shirt with a skull on it that is mostly hidden by a black jacket. She has a choker with spikes on it, with paperclip earrings (?). Her eyes are wide and she is smiling. The omnisexual flag is behind her. A watermark reading “PotatoLord” is in the top left corner. /End Image ID.]

Cricket, she/her, 17

autistic 

father is bad but she doesn’t realize it yet

mixed!! (half white/half latine)

luce calls her “bug” bc of her name

Fourth slide:

these guys (gender neutral) 2#

[Image ID: A picrew of a pale person with short blond hair. They are wearing a gray striped shirt. They have bags under their eyes and look tired and annoyed. The nonbinary flag is behind them. A watermark reading “PotatoLord” is in the top left corner. /End Image ID.]

Luce, they/she, 17

very tired of everyones bullshit

fueled by coffee, revenge and carefully concealed rage

probably dating cricket 

spd haver 

[Image ID: A picrew of a dark-skinned person with black hair in a ponytail. He is wearing a bright blue button-up shirt with oranges on it. A red wheelchair can be seen behind him. He is winking and smiling. The pansexual flag is behind him. A watermark reading “PotatoLord” is in the top left corner. /End Image ID.]

Ari, he/him, 15 

he protec, he attac, he just wants his sister to come back

parents also suck but he doesn’t realize that (yet)

also has fibromyalgia 

Fifth slide:

these guys (gender neutral) 3#

this is last one i promise

[Image ID: A picrew of a pale person with shoulder-length black hair, bangs framing their face. They are wearing a black vest (?) over a white turtleneck, with small, silver hoop earrings. They are grinning. The genderfluid flag is behind them. Has the same watermark as the others. /End Image ID.]

Raz, fluid pronouns, 19

Liz’s queerplatonic partner

mad scientist*

just along for the ride

*does not follow lab safety rules

[Image ID: A picrew of a person with brown skin, very short curly black hair. He is wearing a yellow sweater with blue sleeves and red collar. He has a slightly annoyed expression on his face and is sucking on a pink lollipop. The trans flag is behind him. Same watermark as the other picrews. /End Image ID.]

Ace, he/him, 16

transhet

tried to kidnap the team (very badly) now he won’t leave

resident zombie expert 

between the two picrews is the words, “both are mixed bc i’m mixed and i said so.”

Sixth slide:

we’ve also got…

plant based body horror

a cat, because i have no self control

no romance anywhere

zombies and flowers (this makes sense, i promise)

found family

a vehicle with personality 

be gay, do crime

bonding moments <3

anyway, thanks for reading!!

[princess-of-the-corner]

*slides into the ask box and collides painfully with a wall*

What's this about positive aroace rep?

Okay so like.

BNHA character Mina Ashido!

According to what I looked up, in Mina's page on the 'Ultra Analysis' extra book, it mentions that she's never been romantically attracted to anyone, but does enjoy the potential idea of being in love.

Of course this isn't directly saying she's Aro, as it could legitimately be that she just hasn't found someone yet. But a chunk of the fandom has accepted that she might be Aro and has brought out 'Cupiromantic' which is an identity on the Aro spectrum that means an Aro person who would like to experience romantic love but can't due to said aromantic-ness.

So like. It fits. It's somewhat-canon as the direct labels weren't used and it could be diverted with her finding someone but honestly even if she did I'd still have her as demi- or gray-aro.

[whimsicalhumansacrifices]

The ‘A’ Is Not For Ally: Asexuality Crash Course

So, what is asexuality?

Asexuality is a term used for those who do not feel sexual attraction or desire, and can be paired with any romantic preference. Unlike most other sexual orientations, asexuality is often represented as a spectrum or dial, an umbrella term encompassing more specific ones.

The more specific ones:

Demi-sexual - used for a person who cannot feel sexual attraction towards a partner until an emotional connection can be made

Gray asexual - someone who does not feel sexual attraction to towards any gender, but does not have an issue with physical intimacy

Asexual - people who identify as fully asexual do not feel any sort of sexual attraction and tend to be sex-repulsed

FAQ:

Can asexual people still have romantic relationships?

Yes! Asexual people can most definitely have healthy and fulfilling romantic relationships. Some people (who can be allosexual) do identify as aromantic, however, which means that they do not have romantic feelings.

How do I know if I’m asexual?

I’ve been asked this about a variety of sexualities, and my answer is always the same: you’ll know. Maybe not now, maybe not in year, but eventually you’ll decide what works best for you.

Can an asexual person be in a relationship with someone who isn’t asexual?

This is simply a matter of personal preference. It does tend to be easier for sex-repulsed individuals to be in relationships with other people who don’t want or need physical intimacy, but it isn’t required.

Where can I find good asexual representation in literature?

Some books with good representation include:

Good Omens - Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett (a personal favorite)

The Bone People - Kerri Hulme

Sea Foam and Silence - Lynn E. O’Connacht

The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy - Mackenzi Lee (sequel to The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue, which also has good queer rep.)

Elatsoe - Darcie Little Badger

Tarnished Are the Stars - Rosiee Thor

Unspeakable: A Queer Gothic Anthology - a collection of queer short stories edited by Celia Frohm (not all include ace rep, but the ones that do are very well-written)

As always, if you have additional questions, feel free to reach out.

[hyenafu]

Do you ever plan on including an aromantic character that is not asexual? (AKA an Allosexual aromantic). You've got quite a lot of aspec characters, but none of them seem to be alloaro, and I was wondering if you might want to since there's not much rep out there for 'em. No pressure on you to create rep that you don't feel confident in writing, though, obviously.

I think it's just a bit of a challenge to clearly indicate that a character is aromantic but not asexual in a comic like Slightly Damned. As far as the main comic is concerned, I'd only want to gesture towards sex in vague terms, and it's a stylistic choice for me to not use labels, so it's kind of difficult. Also I just don't know if I could do that kind of character real justice. Maybe Slightly Damned just isn't the place for it!

But this is a good time to remind everyone that I'm totally okay with interpreting characters in your own way, or to have fun with them in fanart or whatever. Even I do stuff like that sometimes, just to check out "what if" situations without worrying about what has to be canon. A allosexual aromantic character identity could be applied to existing characters if you felt that worked for you. As far as J in concerned, I see them being a softie who may want romantic commitment from people they become close to, but enjoys flirting and short flings. That could be greyromantic. Or maybe Duster the Fairy is like that. Maybe he likes to hit on ladies, but he's not looking for a relationship. I like picking on Duster, but he's actually not a bad guy, and he genuinely cares about his found family, the Sinclairs. There's not much known about Verammi the Earth Angel Seraph yet, except that she's really into the Demon girlfriends Hakka and Nikkei... Those are just some examples, not things that anyone HAS to think about these characters.

I feel like I'm always learning something new and wonderful about LGBTQA+ identities and everyone who falls into those hard-to-define gray areas. Slightly Damned progresses slowly, and I only have so many words each week to move the story along. Even if I've tried to make up my mind about characters' labels, I feel like I'm prone to changing them in 5 years anyway. I think I already have! At this point, as long as it's clear that many different kinds of relationships and characters exist in the comic, then I think I'm content with that.

But thanks for asking your question! I will give it more consideration in the future. Whether any results show up in Slightly Damned or my other projects remains to be seen, but I at least appreciate the food for thought.