Representation matters: Asexual characters in queer media spaces

The asexual community is among the most misunderstood and controversial of the LGBTQ+ family. As we all know, when it comes to changing the hearts and minds of others, representation and visibility matter a great deal. Historically, asexual characters in queer media spaces have been sorely lacking. However, as communities worldwide start talking more about asexuality, asexual characters are now beginning to pop up on our screens – and we’re here for it!

The Asexual Visibility & Education Network defines asexuality as “a person that does not experience sexual attraction – they are not drawn to people sexually and do not desire to act upon attraction to others in a sexual way.”

Despite this, asexual people can be romantically attracted to someone without feeling sexual desire towards them. Many asexual people globally enjoy loving committed relationships, whereas others may not desire them at all. 

Asexuality is a complex and vast spectrum within the LGBTQ+ banner, and like all minorities throughout history, storytelling plays a crucial role in shaping how communities respond to these groups. Ace representation has a long way to go in terms of frequency, but we have to start somewhere right? 

Today we are celebrating some of the asexual characters in queer media spaces that are helping people learn about this complex sexual identity. 

Ca$h – Heartbreak High

If you haven’t watched Netflix’s 2022 reboot of the popular Australian series Heartbreak High, stop what you’re doing now and rectify this situation immediately! Ca$h (Will McDonald) is one of Hartley High’s misfits. He’s been in trouble with the law, and everyone knows he hangs out with the wrong crowd. 

Ca$h is a complex and interesting character because he doesn’t fit the stereotypical archetype for someone of this arch. He lives with his grandmother, understands the difference between right and wrong (and he seems to care about it even if he appears like he doesn’t), and he’s secretly queer. 

When Darren (James Majoos) takes an interest in Ca$h, the complexities of his character become even more vast. He understands that he is into Darren – in a very big way – but he can’t tell his friends and he is completely confused by his attraction towards Darren. 

He wants Darren and makes a very public declaration of his love for the kid in front of the whole class at the end of season one, but it’s complicated. Every time he and Darren have a chance to engage in sexual intimacy together, Ca$h freaks out and runs away. 

Nowhere in season one of Heartbreak High is the word ‘asexual’ uttered by Ca$h, or any other character, but it’s clear that Ca$h is in the throws of an asexual awakening. The way season one closed, Ca$h is beginning to present as a homoromatic asexual individual, even if he doesn’t have the vocabulary yet to describe himself. 

One of the most compelling things about this character’s storyline is the complete frustration that both Darren and Ca$h feel about Ca$h’s clear hesitation regarding sex. If they had the vocabulary and they knew the signs, they would be able to navigate the situation between them in a much healthier way. This is why representation matters and we need more asexual characters in queer media spaces. 

Heartbreak High was renewed for a second season, which is currently in the works. 

Isaac – Heartstopper

Unlike Ca$h in Heartbreak High, Isaac’s (Tobie Donovan) asexual journey in Heartstopper plays out quite differently. In season one of the show, all of Isaac’s friends are deep in the throws of experiencing tumultuous teen love. Nick (Kit Connor) and Charlie (Joe Locke) are into each other but playing a game of cat and mouse while Nick works out his sexuality. 

Elle (Yasmin Finney) and Tao (Will Gao) are into each other but way too afraid to take their relationship past the friend zone into that of dating. Tara (Corinna Brown) and Darcy (Kizzy Edgell) are dating, Imogen (Rhea Norwood) likes Nick, and Ben (Sebastian Croft) likes Charlie. Everyone likes someone, but Isaac likes… his books. 

Isaac is the quiet guy that seems really happy that everyone else is chasing romance, but seems completely uninterested in it himself. Until season two. In the second season, he meets James (Bradley Riches) and the pair get along very well. James is clearly into Issac and makes his feelings known, so it seems to make sense to Isaac that he should at least try and reciprocate the situation. 

Except, despite the fact that he really enjoys being around James, Isaac lacks any spark whatsoever for the boy. It confuses and frustrates Isaac because James is kind of perfect. But when push comes to shove, James wants to kiss, cuddle, and date, and Isaac realizes he doesn’t want those things. 

And not just with James, but probably not with anyone. Issac seems to know that there is something different about him compared to his friends, and he goes looking for answers. He finds these answers, and a sense of fulfillment and belonging instantly overcomes him. 

The great thing about Isaac’s journey is that it shows that negative feelings of alienation can be dealt with in a positive and healthy way that will ultimately lead to a renewed sense of self. Knowledge is power, visibility matters, and vocabulary is crucial for understanding each other, and ourselves. We heart Isaac and we can’t wait for the next installment of his story. 

O – Sex Education

Newbie on the block in the asexual club, O (Thaddea Graham) from season 4 of Sex Education, made a bit of a controversial splash into the asexual community. O is the resident student sex therapist at Cavendish College – the new school that Otis (Asa Butterfield) and the gang are now enrolled in. Clearly, O is supposed to work as an antagonist for Otis – who is also a student sex therapist – and the two end up involved in quite the rivalry. 

Before Otis comes along, O is quite well-liked in her role as the student sex therapist. She is presented to viewers as an all-knowing, well-experienced, and highly moral character that everyone looks up to and should aspire to be like. However, as the season unravels, it becomes clear that she isn’t the picture of perfection that we are introduced to at the beginning of season 4. 

In a very public moment, and definitely not one of his finest, Otis does something that changes the game for O and her future within the school community. During a public presentation of the two of them, Otis reveals some moments from O’s past where she ghosted someone she was dating without any explanation at all. As this is occurring, multiple members of the school community stand up and say she did the same thing to them. 

In an effort to save her reputation, O admits that she acted poorly in the past, but didn’t understand herself and what she was going through. She says that Otis’ actions have essentially forced her hand, and she outs herself as asexual. She says that she is working on herself, and working to better understand her sexuality. 

What we like about O’s journey is that it highlights what can happen when someone doesn’t have all the information about what is happening to them. O freaked out about her asexual feelings and just didn’t understand what was happening to her. She caused herself harm, as well as others. This is why we need asexual characters in queer media spaces. 

Raphael – Shadowhunters

Raphael Santiago (David Castro) from Shadowhunters is one of the first asexual characters that we met in queer media spaces. In this show, Raphael is depicted as mysterious, sexy, and exceptionally desirable. Audiences were really confused when something started developing between him and Shadowhunter Izzy (Emeraude Toubia), and Raphael just didn’t seem like he was as invested as he should be. 

It’s clear that there is chemistry between the vampire and the Shadowhunter – insane chemistry – so why doesn’t he want her? Well, it’s not that he doesn’t want her, he’s just asexual. The word ‘asexual’ isn’t ever really used within the script but Raphael explains it well. He’s just not into sex: it doesn’t do it for him, and he doesn’t want it with anyone. 

He does an excellent job of conveying that it’s not an Izzy thing and audiences are left to deduce that if he wasn’t asexual, he’d be all over the babe. 

Even hot, sexy, and sultry immortal vampires – the sexiest creatures in history – can be asexual. We loved this storyline in Shadowhunters because of the fact that he is a vampire. The vampire arch has, historically, been shrouded in sex and sexuality often subtly claiming that all creatures are inherently sexual. 

We loved that the creators of Shadowhunters messed with this lore and gave the asexual community this wonderful gift. 

Asexual people are everywhere, and therefore, so should be asexual characters in queer media spaces. We know there are others out there, but this is just a short collection of our faves. Did we miss someone that you’re particularly invested in? Drop by our socials and let us know your thoughts. 

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Heartbreak High, Heartstopper, Sex Education, and Shadowhunters (outside the US) are available to stream on Netflix. Follow us on X and Instagram for all queer stuff!

Featured Image: Courtesy of Netflix and Freeform