If we're using the widely-used definition of 'asexual' (as opposed to the crowdsourced and utterly un-pin-downable one), then someone who is asexual has no sexual attraction whatsoever. What they describe as "romantic" attraction is most likely friendship. Keep in mind that asexuality, as the term is widely used, is hardwired, unchangeable, and exceptionally rare, and many people who define themselves as asexual don't actually meet these criteria, so they are more likely either dealing with trauma, childhood issues, or other factors that make it difficult or uncomfortable to want to be in relationships, which they confuse with asexuality.
Alright. Alright. F labels. But as far as coming out?? I've already started coming out as bi to my friends and my parents or bi with a preference for men to my close friends and my mom. Now I'm unsure of how to proceed.
Ehhh.. I don't know about that. Most asexual people just have low sex drives and aren't too interested in sex or even really masturbation for that matter. Alot of them do masturbate but mostly as a "cleaning of the pipes" I wouldn't say all ace people have had childhood trama and that's leading them to be afriad of having sex. That's like saying gay people have all had bad childhood experiences with women and that's why they feel attracted to men. (Which is totally not true).
Again, if you are using the widely used definition that has been use for decades and is validated by research and the clinical experience of hundreds of professionals in the field, then the definition i used above is correct. If you are using the crowd sourced definition that has no research, study, or other grounding in factual information, then the nebulous definition you describe (which cannot be pinned down since there are so many variations to it) is an accurate depiction of that belief. And to set the record straight, I absolutely do not believe that all (or, for that matter *any*) asexual people are asexual because of trauma or abuse. I do believe that the majority of people who have an aversion to sex (which is different from disinterest) liley do have trauma issues, as there is no indication that aversion to sexual is hardwired and unchangeable.
Ohh. That makes sense. Sorry, I miss understood your previous message. I thought you meant all asexual people must have experienced some form of trama or abuse in order to feel that way.