Aphobia

Aphobia refers to prejudice, rejection, exclusion or discrimination against asexual and aromantic people. It can appear as hurtful remarks, misunderstanding, social pressure, mockery, refusal to accept someone’s identity, or even psychological and physical violence. This affects not only people who identify as asexual or aromantic, but also those who are perceived as such by others.

When this rejection is directed inward, it is called internalised aphobia. This means that a person has taken on negative ideas about asexuality or aromanticism and turns them against themselves. This can lead to shame, insecurity, or the feeling of being “wrong”. Aphobia is closely linked to allonormativity, the social assumption that sexual and romantic attraction are the default and therefore “normal”.