Today is Asexuality Visibility Day!

What is Today?

April 6th, 2025 is International Asexuality Day (IAD), part of an international campaign to bring awareness to asexual identities. There are four themes for IAD:

  • Advocacy
  • Celebration
  • Education
  • Solidarity

What is Asexuality?

Asexuality is a sexual orientation where a person experiences little to no sexual attraction to another person. This is different from celibacy, where a person feels attraction but makes the conscious choice not to express it.  

There are many identies that fall under the asexual umbrella. Some people might only experience sexual attraction in very limited circumstances. Everyone has a different experience with their asexuality and there's no single correct way to be asexual.

Aside from sexual attraction, people can also experience:

  • Romantic attraction: desiring a romantic relationship with someone
  • Aesthetic attraction: being attracted to someone based on how they look
  • Sensual or physical attraction: wanting to touch, hold, or cuddle someone
  • Platonic attraction: wanting to be friends with someone
  • Emotional attraction: wanting an emotional connection with someone

It’s possible for asexual people to experience all these forms of attraction, plus plenty of others. 

Titles Featuring Asexual Characters

At San Jose Public Library, we provide affirming and safe spaces for all. Our catalog includes books and other materials that either include asexual identifying characters or are written or created by those who identify as asexual.

Rick

Eleven-year-old Rick Ramsey has generally gone along with everybody, just not making waves, even though he is increasingly uncomfortable with his father's jokes about girls, and his best friend's explicit talk about sex; but now in middle school he discovers the Rainbow Spectrum club, where kids of many genders and identities can express themselves--and maybe among them he can find new friends and discover his own identity, which may just be to opt out of sex altogether.

This Is Our Rainbow

LGBTQA+ anthology for middle-grade readers presents stories of queer fantasy, historical and contemporary stories for every letter of the acronym.

Just Lizzie

Eighth grader Lizzie's study of asexuality in science class leads her to understand her own asexual identity as she embarks on a journey toward self-discovery and self-advocacy.

A Quick & Easy Guide to Asexuality

This book is for anyone who wants to learn about asexuality, and for Ace people themselves, to validate their experiences. Asexuality is a real identity and it's time the world recognizes it.

I Want to Be A Wall

Although romance will never be in the cards for newlyweds Yuriko and Gakurouta, the bond blossoming between them promises to be a wonderful relationship--the likes of which neither has ever experienced before.

Here Goes Nothing

When eighteen-year-old Beatrice comes in frequent contact with neighbor Bennie, she starts to question her asexual identity, her place in her friend group, and her plans for the future.

How to Be Ace

Brave, witty and empowering, this graphic memoir follows Rebecca as she navigates her asexual identity and mental health in a world obsessed with sex. From school to work to relationships, this book offers an unparalleled insight into asexuality.