The Union has hosted its first Asexual Awareness Week to educate students about the ‘misunderstood’ sexual orientation.

The week, which concludes with a fashion show this Sunday, included workshops on the history of asexuality, film screenings and a session, ‘What is asexuality?’

Second-year Spanish student Lauren Clayton told The Gryphon, ‘I think it’s really great because the vast majority of people don’t know what asexuality is, or that it even exists. Raising awareness is so important as lots of asexuals feel very alone’.

Asexuality is the absence of sexual desire. Although ‘ace’-identifying’ people may experience romantic love and sexual arousal, they possess no physical attraction towards others. An estimated 1% of the population is asexual.

Ms Clayton explained, ‘It can be very isolating because sex is used in nearly every form of media. Society constantly tells us that we have to be sexual’.

The Union website reads, ‘We’re proud to host a week all about supporting ace-identifying students and raising awareness of asexuality’.

Asexual Awareness Week ends at the Union on Sunday 2nd November, with an asexual-inspired fashion show and after party.

Suhail Dhanji