Ashley Joy
@ashley-joy.bsky.social
26 yr old aroace lesbian - she/they/it - biracial - autistic - schizoaffective disorder
While aromantic and asexual people can have healthy partnerships, centering our acceptance and quality of life around that idea does more harm than good. We are deserving of respect and inclusion regardless of how we interact with intimacy and the actions associated with it
September 21, 2026 at 2:49 PM
While aromantic and asexual people can have healthy partnerships, centering our acceptance and quality of life around that idea does more harm than good. We are deserving of respect and inclusion regardless of how we interact with intimacy and the actions associated with it
A common conclusion that aphobes come to about why people identify as aromantic or asexual is that we're unattractive, which operates under the assumption that our identities are performative and is often a projection of their own misconseptions surrounding our orientations
September 19, 2026 at 1:55 PM
A common conclusion that aphobes come to about why people identify as aromantic or asexual is that we're unattractive, which operates under the assumption that our identities are performative and is often a projection of their own misconseptions surrounding our orientations
To disregard the value of aromantic and asexual intimacy, and the nuances that come with it, is to be ignorant to varied social dynamics and perpetuate a hierarchical view of relationships established by harmful frameworks that aren't inclusive to everybody's experiences
September 15, 2026 at 1:05 PM
To disregard the value of aromantic and asexual intimacy, and the nuances that come with it, is to be ignorant to varied social dynamics and perpetuate a hierarchical view of relationships established by harmful frameworks that aren't inclusive to everybody's experiences
Asexuality challenges a culture that often conflates perceived desirability with sexual availability. Our identities invite reconsideration about what we're told is inherent to intimacy and attraction. Perception alone can never tell you what kind of connection someone might seek
September 14, 2026 at 12:49 PM
Asexuality challenges a culture that often conflates perceived desirability with sexual availability. Our identities invite reconsideration about what we're told is inherent to intimacy and attraction. Perception alone can never tell you what kind of connection someone might seek
Intimacy as a concept must transcend traditional ideas of sex and romance. When these attractions are viewed as inherent for a deep connection, it pressures an experience onto people without giving them the tools necessary to evaluate what they actually want for themselves
September 10, 2026 at 3:38 PM
Intimacy as a concept must transcend traditional ideas of sex and romance. When these attractions are viewed as inherent for a deep connection, it pressures an experience onto people without giving them the tools necessary to evaluate what they actually want for themselves
There's no wrong way to be aromantic, asexual, or aspec. Intimacy is such a diverse concept that allows for different meanings and associations based on individual desires and boundaries. All the ways in which we navigate our identities are important, and I think that's beautiful
September 7, 2026 at 4:04 PM
There's no wrong way to be aromantic, asexual, or aspec. Intimacy is such a diverse concept that allows for different meanings and associations based on individual desires and boundaries. All the ways in which we navigate our identities are important, and I think that's beautiful
For me, being aromantic and asexual is just as much of a political identity as it is a personal one. Breaking down normative structures and rejecting the imposition of intimacy, desire, and connection as defined by others is how I prefer to move through the world
September 3, 2026 at 1:04 PM
For me, being aromantic and asexual is just as much of a political identity as it is a personal one. Breaking down normative structures and rejecting the imposition of intimacy, desire, and connection as defined by others is how I prefer to move through the world
"You're aromantic? But everyone needs love"
Love isn't just romantic, but also centering someone's worth around how they interact with and articulate the idea of intimacy is incredibly othering. Being aromantic isn't a burden; we're whole, and our orientations are a part of that
Love isn't just romantic, but also centering someone's worth around how they interact with and articulate the idea of intimacy is incredibly othering. Being aromantic isn't a burden; we're whole, and our orientations are a part of that
August 30, 2026 at 4:24 PM
"You're aromantic? But everyone needs love"
Love isn't just romantic, but also centering someone's worth around how they interact with and articulate the idea of intimacy is incredibly othering. Being aromantic isn't a burden; we're whole, and our orientations are a part of that
Love isn't just romantic, but also centering someone's worth around how they interact with and articulate the idea of intimacy is incredibly othering. Being aromantic isn't a burden; we're whole, and our orientations are a part of that
Being aromantic, asexual, or aspec isn't about absence, it's about presence. Connecting with others on our own terms means we get to define intimacy in ways that honor our boundaries and craft meaningful relationships beyond societal expectation. I just think that's beautiful
August 25, 2026 at 5:27 PM
Being aromantic, asexual, or aspec isn't about absence, it's about presence. Connecting with others on our own terms means we get to define intimacy in ways that honor our boundaries and craft meaningful relationships beyond societal expectation. I just think that's beautiful
Queerplatonic relationships show us that there's freedom in defining partnership for yourself. Meaningful connection isn't determined by tradition, but the intention we use when caring for one another. We don't have to inherit anyone else's idea of intimacy in order to be happy
August 22, 2026 at 2:48 PM
Queerplatonic relationships show us that there's freedom in defining partnership for yourself. Meaningful connection isn't determined by tradition, but the intention we use when caring for one another. We don't have to inherit anyone else's idea of intimacy in order to be happy
While aromantic, asexual, and aspec people can engage in actions normatively associated with attraction, our worth shouldn't be centered around it. All of our voices are worth hearing and respecting regardless of how we interact with intimacy and the language surrounding it
August 19, 2026 at 2:08 PM
While aromantic, asexual, and aspec people can engage in actions normatively associated with attraction, our worth shouldn't be centered around it. All of our voices are worth hearing and respecting regardless of how we interact with intimacy and the language surrounding it
Aromantic and asexual joy is so important, yet it's often overlooked because our identities are viewed as inherently isolating or limiting, which ignores how much love and meaning can exist when you're able to express the weight of connection in the same way that you feel it
August 17, 2026 at 1:12 PM
Aromantic and asexual joy is so important, yet it's often overlooked because our identities are viewed as inherently isolating or limiting, which ignores how much love and meaning can exist when you're able to express the weight of connection in the same way that you feel it
Aromantic and asexual people often have our identities met with attempted explanations rather than belief in our own self-understanding. They not only try to console us over a general misrepresentation but also ignore the time we spend discerning our experience before coming out
August 14, 2026 at 3:52 PM
Aromantic and asexual people often have our identities met with attempted explanations rather than belief in our own self-understanding. They not only try to console us over a general misrepresentation but also ignore the time we spend discerning our experience before coming out
As an aroace person, I dont want someone who feels like being with me is a sacrifice. In the way that I respect unwavering priorities, I need an understanding of the impact my identity has on me. Everyone should get what they want out of relationships, including aroace people
August 10, 2026 at 1:38 PM
As an aroace person, I dont want someone who feels like being with me is a sacrifice. In the way that I respect unwavering priorities, I need an understanding of the impact my identity has on me. Everyone should get what they want out of relationships, including aroace people
Reposted by Ashley Joy
Wonderful news — I’m making a graphic novel with @fieldmouse.press!
August 8, 2026 at 12:19 AM
Wonderful news — I’m making a graphic novel with @fieldmouse.press!
Queerplatonic relationships aren't lesser than romantic ones. Recognizing the significance of non-romantic partnerships without hierarchy is important to the necessary inclusion of aromantic people. Our experiences are real, and belittling the language accessible to us isn't okay
August 6, 2026 at 4:14 PM
Queerplatonic relationships aren't lesser than romantic ones. Recognizing the significance of non-romantic partnerships without hierarchy is important to the necessary inclusion of aromantic people. Our experiences are real, and belittling the language accessible to us isn't okay
Everyone, regardless of identity, can benefit from learning about aromantic, asexual, and aspec experiences. They broaden our view of intimacy, showing that purpose can be found in countless ways beyond the traditional frameworks of romance and sex, creating space for everybody
August 3, 2026 at 1:49 PM
Everyone, regardless of identity, can benefit from learning about aromantic, asexual, and aspec experiences. They broaden our view of intimacy, showing that purpose can be found in countless ways beyond the traditional frameworks of romance and sex, creating space for everybody
Aromantic, asexual, and aspec people often build their lives around friendships in a way that is intentional and deeply meaningful. Building intimate connections that are real and sustaining without the expectation of sex or romance is so genuinely important
July 31, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Aromantic, asexual, and aspec people often build their lives around friendships in a way that is intentional and deeply meaningful. Building intimate connections that are real and sustaining without the expectation of sex or romance is so genuinely important
Aromantic, asexual, and aspec people are infantilized because attraction and partnership are viewed as a prerequisite to adulthood. This is harmful and projects that we'll "grow up eventually" but also that we aren't mature enough to consent or have valuable relationships
July 27, 2026 at 11:58 AM
Aromantic, asexual, and aspec people are infantilized because attraction and partnership are viewed as a prerequisite to adulthood. This is harmful and projects that we'll "grow up eventually" but also that we aren't mature enough to consent or have valuable relationships
Being asexual means growing up in a world shaped by compulsory sexuality. When we've inherited expectations without the ability to question them, it's easy to get confused about your own experiences. Understanding yourself means learning what's yours and what's been handed to you
July 8, 2026 at 1:58 PM
Being asexual means growing up in a world shaped by compulsory sexuality. When we've inherited expectations without the ability to question them, it's easy to get confused about your own experiences. Understanding yourself means learning what's yours and what's been handed to you
Asexual people are often seen as naive because of society's focus on attraction as a sign of maturity. The reality is that many of us learn who we are by reflecting on the ways intimacy is presented to us and understanding where it does or doesn't make sense with our experiences
June 30, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Asexual people are often seen as naive because of society's focus on attraction as a sign of maturity. The reality is that many of us learn who we are by reflecting on the ways intimacy is presented to us and understanding where it does or doesn't make sense with our experiences
Asexuality and aromanticism have an incredible amount of political value that deserves to be acknowledged. With the way that amatonormativity is woven throughout various social structures, our experiences provide much needed perspective surrounding the nuance of connection
June 18, 2026 at 1:24 PM
Asexuality and aromanticism have an incredible amount of political value that deserves to be acknowledged. With the way that amatonormativity is woven throughout various social structures, our experiences provide much needed perspective surrounding the nuance of connection
It's so sad that most aromantic, asexual, and aspec people reach the conclusion that they're "broken" WAY before they have the language accessible to them to even begin realizing who they are
June 15, 2026 at 12:34 PM
It's so sad that most aromantic, asexual, and aspec people reach the conclusion that they're "broken" WAY before they have the language accessible to them to even begin realizing who they are