IN SINGAPORE, a vibrant community of young asexual professionals, from freelance artists to PhD candidates, is flourishing despite societal pressures.
One of the community members discovered his aro-ace identity at 18 after years of feeling different from peers engrossed in romance and sex, according to the Straits Times of Singapore.
A YouTube video on asexuality and aromanticism, terms for experiencing little to no sexual or romantic attraction, helped him find clarity.
He is part of the Aces Going Places, a 300-strong community founded in 2016 by Teng Yong Ping, a 39-year-old homoromantic asexual, who connects with others who share his experiences.
The group, which hosts monthly potlucks and game nights at Proud Spaces, offers a haven where members find validation.
Despite societal pressures valorising romance and sex, misconceptions persist.
There is still the feeling that being aromantic or asexual is abnormal and it may result from social pressures and expectations, says a PhD candidate at Nanyang Technological University studying aromanticism.
Asexuality, not to be confused with celibacy, is a spectrum, with terms like demisexual and greysexual gaining traction.
Aces Going Places, thriving since its Pink Dot debut in 2022, affirms that asexual and aromantic individuals are not alone, fostering bonds over shared meals and understanding.
Asexuality is more prevalent among younger generations, with a higher percentage of individuals identifying as asexual within Generation Z (born 1997-2012) compared to older generations.
For example, a 2019 survey by the Williams Institute found that 91% of asexuals were between 18-27, an age range that only covered 61% of non-asexual LGBTQ individuals.
This trend suggests that increased awareness and understanding of asexuality, coupled with a more accepting environment, may be factors contributing to this demographic shift. —May 25, 2025
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