Hi guys!
I'm currently working on a sci-fi/mystery/romance comic with a manga-ish look. I'm still planning the first case, but I have a question. The main character in the series is asexual heteroromantic (not experiencing sexual attraction but experiencing romantic attraction). How should I present this plot line in my comic? I feel like I should because of misconceptions about asexuality, but what would be the christ-honoring way to do so.
Replies
I agree with Brien. Let the psychologists, and Women and Gender studies students interpret your character as one who is an "asexual heteromantic" - I, however, would avoid having the character identify that way. First, because I think it's amateurish to outline your character's personality explicitly. And secondly, my own biases (which I don't think are informed by the Bible, or research based, rational, etc.) tell me that individuals who typically identify as some nuanced orientation ("heteromantic cisgendered demisexual") are self-obsessed, and fit a particular temperament and political leaning. Perhaps I'm wrong, but I don't see that as an unsubstantiated bias that is EXCLUSIVE to me - I think a lot of people feel that way, whether wrongly or rightly...
I think Sven put it pretty well; Paul superseded eros (sexual desire) it with a higher and more overwhelming love(Philippians 3:7-21).
In planning your story out it might be wise to avoid such labels(like asexual heteroromantic) because of misconceptions they create. Generally people are more complex, and more wonderful, than the labels we try to stamp them with. Develop a character with loves and quirks and strengths and hopes, and allow your readers to connect to a person rather than a label. Its what God does with us.
Sven Jacobs said:
I think it's fine if you have the character say that s/he enjoys romance but is not interested in sex. I'm not sure how to make a character's disinterest in sex Christ honoring anymore than I'm sure how to make a character's lack of appeal in tomatoes Christ honoring.
I suppose that Paul stated that it would be best to spend one's time doing God's work rather than getting married, but he noted that some "burned with lust" and so needed marriage. The asexual, I suppose, fits that advice the best.