UNIVERSITY HOSTS ANGELA CHEN FOR INTERNATIONAL ASEXUALITY DAY

The University of Massachusetts’ LGBT resource center, The Stonewall Center, hosted asexual author Angela Chen for International Asexuality Day.

Chen delivered a lecture on the lack of knowledge surrounding sexuality, which she calls “a state of epistemic injustice.”

“Angela Chen was chosen because we thought that many people on campus needed to learn more about asexuality and we wanted the growing number of students identifying as asexual to have a speaker whom they could relate to, who would affirm them and their experiences,” said Genny Beemyn, the director of The Stonewall Center.

Chen stated that many think asexuality as purely a sexuality, but she prefers to see it as much more.

“People treat asexuality as if the entire experience of being ace starts and stops in a romantic, dating, sexual context … in my own personal experience, that’s not true … attraction.”

After Chen’s lecture, they signed copies of their book and a reception was held for asexual and aromantic members.