LGBTQ+ communities are vast in terms of their scope, the people who fall under them and those who champion their causes across the world. LGBTQ+ has many expansions but one of the more well-known is LGBTQIAA+. But don’t be fooled, friend, there may be two ‘A’s there, but neither is for ‘Ally’. Whilst knowledge and acceptance of the LGBTQ+ communities is progressing (generally, but admittedly less so in recent years), many do not truly know what the ‘A’s here stand for. If that is you, there is a quick and simple guide to fixing that and giving you a great introduction the Asexual+ and Aromantic+ communities of the world.
A Quick & Easy Guide to Asexuality is just that – a quick and easy guide to asexual, aromantic and other identities which fall under the Ace+ and Aro+ umbrellas. Told in comic form from the point of view of two Ace+ people, it explores what it means to fall under these identities, misconceptions and issues that the communities face, as well as anecdotes and opinions from both writers regarding their experiences and what they want both Ace+ and Aro+ questioning people to know, and what they wished people who didn’t fall under these identities could understand.
Firstly, the idea to present this book as a comic rather than in a traditional reading format was a hugely positive way to go about this. It allows things to be demonstrated in images and graphics, reduces the use of complex terminology besides from at key moments, and is a simple and quick way to digest the information. The book avoids feeling clinical or as if it is lecturing you and gives the vibe of a simple conversation with both authors. By having images of the two of them presented throughout in comic form, it gives readers a sense of personalities that are sometimes difficult to achieve in normal reading and allows you to connect to these authors and see them as individuals rather than two people who are Ace+.
I also enjoyed the way concepts and themes were broken down, illustrated and explored in such a simple way. By taking the time to dissect what to some may be brand new concepts, it means readers, regardless of their level of knowledge going into the book, are able to quickly follow along and begin to understand some of the thoughts and feelings being expressed. Some guides into topics such as these can feel as if they’re written by preeminent voices or renowned experts that block off understanding through complex themes, but by breaking them down and using real-world examples, you largely avoid this.
I also think it’s really important to recognise the importance of the book being written from the perspectives that it is. It’s two Ace+ people telling their story in their way, and as they themselves see it and understand it. It’s not a guide to Ace+ identities from the point of view of an outsider looking in, which is crucial for authentic and for highlighting and expressing true stories, rather than an amalgamation of details heard from people by someone who has never identified with that group. Whilst a guidebook, I’m glad to see Ace+ and Aro+ representation in literature, both in the subject matter and in the authors writing it, which can be so often overlooked. We often celebrate books written by LGBTQ+ figures without stopping to think which identities are actually being represented, and knowing that this begins to shift the balance, even by a small margin, should always be celebrated.
A Quick & Easy Guide to Asexuality is simply a great read for anyone who isn’t as familiar with Ace+ identities as they would like to be and is curious to learn more. Its accessible nature, friendly and inviting design and wide range of topics, including romantic relationships, labels and sexual encounters makes it a great resource for anyone, particularly those who may be questioning their identity and goes a long way to answer questions that you may have. Despite having lots of knowledge about the various LGBTQ+ communities myself, this book taught me a few things as well and I would definitely recommend this to anyone, even if it’s just refamiliarisation, because it’s such a quick and easy read but just might teach you a thing or two!
Rating: ★★★★☆
A Quick & Easy Guide to Asexuality (ISBN: 978-1-62010-859-8) was published in 2022. A copy is available to borrow from the LGBTQ+ Lending Library in the LGBTQ+ Lounge
