Hello all!
We’ve reached the end of 2016 and I find that I’m feeling rather reflective. It has been a rough year, but this site is still going (it will be three years old on January 15th). It will still be going next year and the year after that and the one after that and so on and so forth.
Some time ago, I was asked if I ever regretted coming out as asexual. Was it worth being threatened, mocked, rejected by half my family (some of whom have threatened and bullied me)? And, I didn’t even have to think about my answer: Yes. Yes, it was worth it. Yes, it will always be worth it.
Because by embracing my asexuality, I freed myself. By finding a way to take pride in my identity, I broke out of the toxicity that surrounded me and I found that I was not alone in the world. I found love and hope.
This site is difficult to run and requires an enormous amount of time, but I do so because when I read through the interviews, when I look at the amazing and unique images, I’m reminded of just how much beauty there is in the world. Some work has made me smile or laugh, some work has brought me to tears or moved me. I feel lucky to be able to speak to so many of you and am humbled by your courage.
There is so much beauty and love and kindness out there. Even in the darkest of times, even when everything seems so wrong, even when there is doubt and fear, people continue creating and filling it with beautiful things. People continue to love and smile and laugh.
And that gives me hope.
Things will likely be tough for a while, but this site will continue on. And it will remind asexual artists that we’re capable of so much. Our voices may be silenced. We may be ignored, forgotten, pushed aside, bullied, talked over, scorned, mocked. But one day we won’t be.
One day, asexuality will be accepted and embraced. Future generations will see themselves reflected in books and media. One day, asexuality won’t just be an afterthought. One day, asexuals won’t have to go through a period of feeling broken or freakish. They will be able to embrace who they are and find their community. And they’ll always be able to find this site and marvel at just how amazing fellow aces truly are. They’ll find new worlds that we have created, filled with heroes who are like them. They’ll read the words of ace artists that came before them and feel a sense of pride.
That is truly an amazing thought.
Whatever happens in the coming years, just remember that there will always be love and hope and laughter and joy. Be proud of who you are. And always remember that myself and this site shall always be right here to help feature some of that beauty.
Happy New Year’s and thank you 🙂 ❤
Asexual Artists 