Asexuals – the fourth sexual orientation

A book published in the UK next month claims such men and women, an estimated 1 per cent of the population, should be recognised as a fourth sexual orientation – asexuals.

Professor Anthony Bogaert’s book, Understanding Asexuality, argues that a growing number of people consider themselves asexual. He believes asexual people are “an under-studied population” who can feel excluded from our “very sexualised culture”. He said our society, “can place expectations on both sexual and asexual people, but particularly asexual people”.

Joshua Hatton, 23, a language student from Birmingham, agrees. “Three years ago, I came across asexuality – it explained everything. I no longer had to lie to myself. Young men are expected to have some sort of casual sex; it’s all around. Now I feel more comfortable.”