What's Going On: January 2021

Are you online? 

We’re in for a busy start to the year, folks! On top of everything currently happening, ASAW is on the horizon.

Creating Change will be virtual this year! The 33rd annual Creating Change Conference is run, as always, by the National LGBTQ Task Force and aims to connect and teach LGBTQ activists across the U.S. so they can grow together. This four day event will bring together people of all identities, peoples, and cultures. Something good is sure to come of it. For us aros specifically there will be a day long Aromantic and Asexual Institute, the Ace and Aro Q&A - an introductory workshop, and the Ace + Aro Caucus. Our inclusion in this event is a recent thing and seeing progress like this is inspiring. Two of AUREA’s team members will be attending the event and contributing our knowledge, we hope to learn and make some connections while we’re there.

Last month Carnival of Aros has us discuss happily ever afters and what the means to us? The round-ups of responses can be found on Aspec of Stardust’s blog. Go have a read, you’ll find something lovely. This month’s submission topic comes to has from CharCharChar. By the looks of their blog they’re an avid writer, so it’s makes sense that theme is Stories. They’re offering us the opportunity to write anything we like, fictional or otherwise, about stories.

Ace and/or Aro San Diego, born September 2020 to the San Diego's LGBTQ+ Center, is a support/discussion group currently being run over Zoom. For those of you in the area the group can be found via their private Facebook group. The group welcomes all a-specs to their general meetings and holds specific focus groups on occasion for alloaros, alloaces, and aroaces. Contact the Admin, Shane Cricket, on Facebook ahead of time if you would like an ASL interpreter during Zoom meetings. After the pandemic, meetings will continue in person at the local LBGTQ Center in San Diego.

The Asexual Aromantic Coalition is a community space and educational network found on tumblr. If you’re looking for a friendly environment or information about a specific a-spec topic this blog has a lot to offer.

Out and about?

For our U.S. audience an opportunity to put the aromantic identity in the public eye has arisen. The Ace and Aro Advocacy Project (TAAAP) has successful had Ace Week officially recognised across 6 states since they began this endeavour. No states have recognised Aromantic-Spectrum Awareness Week yet, and that’s where you come in. Follow this simple guide, that has proven successful, and come February your state government could be talking about aromantics.

In America this process is called a Proclamation, for the rest of the world there are likely equivalent processes under different names. Our Australian’s found that the Queensland state equivalent is called an Wellbeing event - somewhat ridiculous in name, but it succeeds all the same. Have a look into your province, or state, your district or county and see if your government is willing to officially recognise ASAW for the event that it is.

WGO Update

On rare occasions this is where we add the ‘We’ve got words!’ section. When we began AUREA there was an influx of vocabulary being created in the community and we wanted to reflect that. During 2020, that movement slowed. Late last year we shared a word here that had gained some traction, unlike the others of recent times, and were informed that the word was offensive. This prompted a review of our vocabulary sharing section. We no longer believe that we need to offer these updates. It is difficult now for new vocab to stick, whatever the reason, and us removing this section is recognition of that.

Aros in the Media

Articles

Aromantic & Polyamorous? Yes, It DOES Happen! by Page Turner

Like anything, there are tons of ways that it can make sense — even if it sounds a little unusual at first glance.

A reassurance that aromantic and polyamorous aren’t mutually exclusive identities and an anecdote to back up the idea.

Ace and Aro Alliance of Central Ohio Creates Awareness and Offers Support & Advocacy by The Buckeye Flame

After seeing fantastic turnout at events focused on asexual (ace) and aromantic (aro) identities, Timothy R. Bussey (they/them) knew there was work to be done.

The story and ongoing successes of one ace and aro group told through an interview with the groups director.

Interview with author Alice Oseman by Michele Kirichanskaya

Loveless was the hardest book I’ve ever written for a variety of reasons.

Get to know Alice Oseman and her writing process in this article. Plus behind the scenes of the writing of Loveless.

Experiencing Love As An Aromantic Asexual (Aroace) Person by Namrata K

In a society that is obsessed with romance and sex, it is hard for most people to comprehend a kind of love that is devoid of these elements.

Written for Feminism In India’s #MoodOfTheMonth, Modern Love and Relationships, this article depicts a first hand account of what it can mean to love as an aroace.

The aromantic’s guide to being happily single in a romance-centered society by Skylar Wiggin

This is a plan that I’ve designed for aros that goes beyond the “just be happy you don’t have to deal with another person” and “relationships are so hard to manage, be grateful you’re not in one” mentality.

A lovely read that can give you some direction when you aren’t feeling your best, whether about your orientation or otherwise.

Videos

How to be an Ally: Asexual and Aromantic Identities by WE, the World

A community sourced video presented by and for We, the World, a non-profit organisation that focuses on bringing people together to solve local and global problems.

Books

Take Me to Your Nerdy Leader by Hailey Gonzales is out now!

Insightful, bold, relatable, and raw. This twenty-first century, coming-of-age story brilliantly explores the anxiety of standing out and the thrill of fearlessness. Featuring an aromantic protagonist! No romance here!

2021 and Beyond: Upcoming Ace and Aro Books by CharCharChar

On the hunt for some new reading material or something to look forward to? You’re in luck and this post also links to two other lists of upcoming books.

Aromantics Address

Papo Aromantic