Ace Week 2024: Condoms & Candies
Ace Week 2024 is October 20–26!
What is Condoms & Candies?
Well, just that: condoms & candies (& stickers & flags & other ace goodies!) The idea started when I went to a sex shop and saw they sold ace stickers. And I thought, stickers, condoms. Boom. And why hand out condoms to teach people about asexuality? Because it’s a myth that asexuals don’t have sex.
While asexuality means not experiencing sexual attraction, it doesn't necessarily mean that a person never engages in sexual activity. Some asexual individuals may choose to have sex for various reasons, such as:
To please their partner: In a romantic relationship, they might want to make their partner happy.
To experience physical pleasure: They might enjoy the physical sensations of sex, even without sexual attraction.
To have children: If they desire to have a family, they might choose to have sex for reproductive purposes.
It's important to remember that asexuality is a spectrum. Some asexual individuals may have a low libido or a complete lack of sexual desire, while others may experience occasional sexual urges or enjoy sexual activity. Ultimately, whether or not an asexual person chooses to have sex is a personal decision.
Speaking of spectrums, there are also demis and greys, who also have sex.
Demisexuals and greysexuals are terms used to describe individuals who fall somewhere on the asexual spectrum.
Demisexuals experience sexual attraction only after forming a strong emotional connection with someone. This means they don't feel sexual attraction initially, but it can develop over time as a relationship deepens.
Greysexuals experience sexual attraction infrequently or weakly. Their feelings of sexual attraction might be muted or inconsistent, and they may not always experience sexual desire.
Both demis and greys are considered part of the asexual community, as they identify as having a reduced or absent experience of sexual attraction. It's important to note that these are just terms to describe experiences, and everyone's experience with asexuality is unique.
What You’ll Learn from Condoms & Candies
Research on asexuality is still relatively new, and the exact prevalence is difficult to determine. However, some studies suggest that asexuality may be more common than previously thought.
Here are a few key findings:
Prevalence: Estimates range from 1% to 5% of the population, though it's important to note that these numbers may be influenced by factors like cultural stigma and lack of awareness.
Gender identity: Asexuality is found across all gender identities, but some studies suggest that it may be more prevalent in women.
Romantic attraction: Asexual individuals can experience romantic attraction, meaning they may desire emotional intimacy and connection without sexual attraction.
Mental health: While there is no definitive link between asexuality and mental health issues, some studies have found that asexual individuals may be more likely to experience depression or anxiety.
It's important to remember that these are just a few general findings, and individual experiences with asexuality can vary greatly. As research continues, we may gain a better understanding of the prevalence and characteristics of asexuality.
What You’ll Get
Depends on what ya want! If it’s in person, you’ll get:
Condoms with ace stickers on them
Various mini candy bars
Ace pride goodies (think stickers, bracelets, flags, etc)
Educational materials & posters (see our free educational downloads page!)
If in person, I can either work a table, give a presentation, or drop off the materials. It’s all free, but if you’d like to donate to help cover the costs of materials, it’s much appreciated. I’m paying for everything myself.
Donate an ace/aro book to Gerber/Hart Library and Archives
What Makes Me Qualified?
Firstliest, I’m a certified asexual. Well, as certified as you can be. I’ve also got an associates in K-12 education and was a semester away from a BA in secondary ed before swapping to rhetoric & professional writing; plus, I was a substitute teacher for several years. I also have an MSJ in Editorial Journalism from Northwestern Medill.
Besides education, I work with interns as part of my job regularly and create and implement training materials.
Interested in hosting a Condoms & Candy? Reach out below!
