u/ComedicTragedia

Hello! I’m a commuting student who has to travel between Atwater and Merced for school. I prefer to use the bus when I can, but I found that the app I use for it isn’t always accurate as it relies on users inputting data, and I’ve missed out on route cancellations that have caused me to miss classes.

Do you have any recommendations on how I can keep up with bus-related news and route tracking? Thanks in advance!

Pretty much just the title! I’m an asexual trans man, meaning I’m used to having very few pickings on stories that feature people like me. And as an aspiring writer, I like to rectify that. But that makes the question of how to do it.

I personally have always preferred non explicit representation, showing queerness without defining it. I’m of the belief that if all our representation needs to be rigidly defined and strictly about the experience of being queer, then we have failed at normalizing our community. There needs to be media where we explore the conflicts of our identity, and media where we can exist without being a debate or political commentary. However, I’ve seen a lot of discourse come out of “quieter” representation with people not picking up on the character’s identity or viewing subtlety as poor representation (even if the artists is queer themselves).

I’ve had a feeling for a while that the reason there isn’t a lot of ace/aro representation is because it’s difficult to show an asexual person on screen without needing to explore it. So if you have a story that isn’t about sex/romance, it won’t come across clearly in the media without an author clarifying in post. It’s a lack of something, and it’s hard to show a lack without having them deny what they lack.

So my biggest question is, how do you represent an asexual without defining them as such? With trans folk, you can have them make an offhand comment, a reference to their childhood, or maybe showing binding on screen, sometimes it’s even as simple as casting a trans actor. With gay/lesbian/bi you just show them having romantic interest—even just a longing glance at a boy across the room or a wink as a girl passing by. But what about asexuality? Do you show them being disgusted at the topic of sex or flirting? Having them discuss a lack of interest in romance? Because with these examples, a character could easily be read as prudish, egotistical, or shy rather than asexual. And what about an asexual who isn’t aromantic? How would you showcase that without just including a scene where they deny sex with a romantic partner? What about introducing these concepts in children’s media without broaching the idea of sex?

You don’t need to explicitly answer my ramblings about non-explicit representations. Im just happy to hear what you would prefer and even examples you feel have done it justice. Thanks! :)

Does anyone else’s doorknob just get “stuck” between your labia? He’s in his home and everything is fine, and then suddenly all you can feel is him pressing against yourself and no matter how you readjust and give him room, he won’t quiet down.

I don’t even know how to fix it or if I need to fix it since it’s usually only pops up after masturbation. It’s not painful, just mildly uncomfortable. I just need to know if this is a universal experience 😅