Loveless

Loveless is a novel that discusses and celebrates the spectrum of sexuality. Asexuality (a lack of sexual attraction) and aromanticism (a lack of romantic attraction) are rarely discussed in larger society as they are relatively new terms, but more exposure can help people like Loveless’s Georgia better understand their sexual and romantic preferences. Asexuality and aromanticism are not inherently linked, as Georgia is framed as aroace, but another person could be asexual but experience romantic attraction (or vice versa). Allosexism is a term that describes prejudice against asexuality and aromanticism based on the belief that everyone does or should experience sexual desire. The ace-aro community is widely misunderstood, and few people know enough about these terms to identify as aroace or otherwise themselves. The ace-aro spectrum varies, and asexual people can have sex if they so wish. Some asexual people have sex because while indifferent to it, they see it as a means of connection or having children. Other asexual people, like Georgia, are repulsed by sex.

Two misconceptions addressed in this novel are that ace-aro people are not part of the LGBTQ+ community and that aromantic people can’t experience love. Georgia doesn’t experience romantic love, but values platonic love. She initially fears being alone, but finds fulfillment in friends rather than a romantic partner. Sunil’s rival Lloyd exemplifies the misunderstanding that ace-aro people are not or should not be considered a part of the LGBTQ+ community. He sees asexuality and aromanticism as identities that don’t truly exist. The irony of this is that society once considered, and in some cases, continues to frame, being gay as a mental illness or performative. Lloyd, who is gay, nevertheless ignores the history of bigotry against queer people and believes asexuality and aromanticism are performative. Oseman takes care to include ace-aro people in her depiction of the LGBTQ+ community, though not all ace-aro people identify as queer.

As society better understands the spectrum of sexuality, terms necessarily change to reflect this. For example, the more contemporary LGBTQIA+ reflects asexuality and aromanticism through the “A.” Oseman doesn’t advocate for labels as integral to identity formation, but champions Pride Societies as safe, inclusive spaces in which ace-aro people can find community. Community is ultimately more important to identity formation.