Gray asexuals—asexuals who do feel sexual attraction, but only under certain and usually rare circumstances[1] X Research source Demisexuals—people who only feel sexual attraction to someone after they develop a close romantic relationship with that person[2] X Research source Sex-repulsed asexuals—asexuals who think sex is gross, and don’t want to have it Sex-neutral asexuals—asexuals who don’t like sex that much, but are okay with it Sex-positive asexuals—asexuals who may experience sex a little differently, but do enjoy it and are willing to do it with the right person[3] X Research source
Your partner most likely would have already told you if they were aromantic, as most aromantic people want a completely different kind of relationship as alloromantics (people who experience romantic attraction)!
They want to keep dating you. They wouldn’t have shared an intimate and important detail with you, unless they wanted to keep having you in their life. It’s not a phase. Asexuals are often dismissed as being prudes, traumatized, or not having “met the right person” yet. But the truth is that some people are asexual by nature, and hearing these dismissals can be invalidating and hurtful. Nothing’s wrong with them. Asexuality is a normal and healthy sexual orientation. They don’t need to see a doctor or a therapist to “fix” them, because they aren’t broken. Nothing’s wrong with you. An asexual person is asexual, regardless of how amazing their partner is. While they may not experience sexual attraction, they still find you very romantically interesting, and they want to be with you. That’s what counts.
“I’m not sure I understand that. Could you explain it to me?” “I see. So if I’m understanding you correctly, you’re saying that you. . . " “I’m sorry to hear that other people haven’t been understanding to you. " “I don’t know what that word means. Would you please define it?” “Thank you for telling me this. I want to know that I love you and care about you. Your asexuality doesn’t change this. "
Continue the relationship, having sex every so often when both of you are in the right mood. Continue the relationship, with you masturbating or even having encounters with other people. Continue the relationship, without sex. End the relationship if you both want very different things.
“I want you to know how committed I am to loving you and making this relationship work. You’re important to me. " “Hey, chin up. You’re a great catch, and your asexuality doesn’t change that. You’re still stuck with me. " “I’m glad you told me this, and I want to reiterate how amazing I think you are. " “I love you, asexuality and all. "
