Chen's careful cultural analysis explores how societal norms limit understanding of sex and relationships and celebrates the breadth of sexuality and queerness. Disabled aces, aces of color, gender-nonconforming aces, and aces who both do and don't want romantic relationships all share their experiences navigating a society in which a lack of sexual attraction is considered abnormal. Vulnerable and honest, these stories include a woman who had blood tests done because she was convinced that 'not wanting sex' was a sign of serious illness, and a man who grew up in a religious household and did everything 'right,' only to realize after marriage that his experience of sexuality had never been the same as that of others. Journalist Angela Chen shares her path to understanding her own asexuality alongside the perspectives of a diverse group of asexual people. Ace is an engaging exploration of what it means to be asexual in a world that's obsessed with sexual attraction, and what the ace perspective can teach all people about desire and identity.

Charis welcomes writers Angela Chen and Jess Zimmerman in conversation for the launch of Chen's book, Ace: What Asexuality Reveals About Desire, Society, and the Meaning of Sex.

Ace by angela