Julie Sondra Decker has been a prominent voice for the asexual community since 1998, spreading asexuality awareness through her popular videos and blog essays. She has been interviewed in many mainstream publications, including Marie Claire, Salon, and the Daily Beast, and she was a prominent interviewee in the documentary (A)sexual by Arts Engine. She is a regular contributor to Good Vibrations. Julie is also an SF/fantasy novelist, a webcomic artist, a singer, and an avid reader. As an aromantic asexual woman, She is happily single and resides in Tampa, Florida.
"This is the first substantial book for the nonprofessional to
emerge from the small but growing community of individuals who
identify themselves as "asexual"i.e., not sexually attracted to
anyone; a portion of the population quoted as being approximately
one in 100 people. Decker (contributor, Huffington Post; Salon),
who writes in the introduction about her own asexuality, emphasizes
that this is an orientation that has to do with feelings, not
actions. The author stresses fluidity and inclusiveness: asexuality
may change over time; some asexual people enjoy romantic
relationships while others have no interest; libido may be high or
low; and some are happy in partnered relationships while others
enjoy the single life. The language and concepts are clearly
modeled on those of the LGBTQ community, with an emphasis on
asexuality being a healthy orientation, rather than the result of a
mental or physical illness. The final chapter addresses friends and
family members of asexual people. VERDICT This title is an
important resource for readers of any age who are struggling to
understand their sexual orientation, or those who would like to
better understand asexuality." Library Journal, starred review
"This fascinating book will make more space for thoughtful
understanding of sexual diversity and desire and help us understand
just how variable human sexuality really is. For sex educators,
therapists and scholars, it’s a must-read. For asexual people (or
the 'A-questioning'), who are so frequently invisibilized and
disrespected, it may well offer the kind of succor, support, and
information that every personacross the sex, gender, and
partnering spectradeserves." Carol Queen, PhD, Founding Director,
Center for Sex & Culture and author of Real Live Nude Girl:
Chronicles of Sex-Positive Culture
"I'll admit it: I used to think asexuality was not real. I couldn't
wrap my head around the conceptsex is a huge part of my life, so
how could it be insignificant to someone else? Boy, was I ignorant!
This book is a comprehensive learning tool for those who are
asexual, as well as those who are asexual curious. Advocating
respect, this rare and precious resource will open your eyes and
set the record straight in a clear and straightforward manner.
Prepare to have your mind blown!" Kendra Holliday, creator of The
Beautiful Kind blog
"The Invisible Orientation demystifies the common misconceptions
that asexual people are broken, or that their orientation is the
result of sexual abuse or trauma. Warm and thorough, it shines a
light on asexuality throughout all stages of life, and acts as a
positive guide for navigating successful relationships of all
kinds, and with all genders and orientations." Violet Blue,
author of The Smart Girl's Guide to Privacy and editor of the
award-winning series Best Women's Erotica
"This book shines a much-needed light on an experience that’s far
more common than most people realize. Julie Decker brings together
the many different voices and stories of asexual people, presents
lots of valuable information, and offers helpful insight about how
non-asexual people can be supportive. If you or someone you know is
or might be asexual, read this book. And if you’re a sexuality or
relationship professional, read this book. Asexuality is part of
the sexuality spectrum and you need The Invisible Orientation on
your shelves." Charlie Glickman, PhD, certified sexological
bodyworker
"This is a long overdue book, offering the general purpose
introduction to the subject which has heretofore been lacking. It
is an essential addition to any academic reading list that
encompasses asexuality and should be required reading for any
therapists with an interest in sexuality. It provides a sense of
what it is like to be asexual that can sometimes be missing from
academic work and engages with the literature while nonetheless
refusing to be constrained by it. It is also immensely readable,
providing an authoritative overview that sign posts the reader who
is keen to explore further. I can’t recommend The Invisible
Orientation highly enough and hope it has a wide readership. Given
how effectively it critiques the myths surrounding asexuality,
helping those who are not asexual themselves better understand
something that can at first be deeply confusing, it is a book with
the potential to make a positive difference to many people’s lives
and help combat what the author describes as the 'insidious form of
exclusion' which asexual people continue to experience." Mark
Carrigan, Department of Sociology, University of Warwick
"This is the first substantial book for the nonprofessional to
emerge from the small but growing community of individuals who
identify themselves as "asexual"i.e., not sexually attracted to
anyone; a portion of the population quoted as being approximately
one in 100 people. Decker (contributor, Huffington Post; Salon),
who writes in the introduction about her own asexuality, emphasizes
that this is an orientation that has to do with feelings, not
actions. The author stresses fluidity and inclusiveness: asexuality
may change over time; some asexual people enjoy romantic
relationships while others have no interest; libido may be high or
low; and some are happy in partnered relationships while others
enjoy the single life. The language and concepts are clearly
modeled on those of the LGBTQ community, with an emphasis on
asexuality being a healthy orientation, rather than the result of a
mental or physical illness. The final chapter addresses friends and
family members of asexual people. VERDICT This title is an
important resource for readers of any age who are struggling to
understand their sexual orientation, or those who would like to
better understand asexuality." Library Journal, starred review
"This fascinating book will make more space for thoughtful
understanding of sexual diversity and desire and help us understand
just how variable human sexuality really is. For sex educators,
therapists and scholars, it’s a must-read. For asexual people (or
the 'A-questioning'), who are so frequently invisibilized and
disrespected, it may well offer the kind of succor, support, and
information that every personacross the sex, gender, and
partnering spectradeserves." Carol Queen, PhD, Founding Director,
Center for Sex & Culture and author of Real Live Nude Girl:
Chronicles of Sex-Positive Culture
"I'll admit it: I used to think asexuality was not real. I couldn't
wrap my head around the conceptsex is a huge part of my life, so
how could it be insignificant to someone else? Boy, was I ignorant!
This book is a comprehensive learning tool for those who are
asexual, as well as those who are asexual curious. Advocating
respect, this rare and precious resource will open your eyes and
set the record straight in a clear and straightforward manner.
Prepare to have your mind blown!" Kendra Holliday, creator of The
Beautiful Kind blog
"The Invisible Orientation demystifies the common misconceptions
that asexual people are broken, or that their orientation is the
result of sexual abuse or trauma. Warm and thorough, it shines a
light on asexuality throughout all stages of life, and acts as a
positive guide for navigating successful relationships of all
kinds, and with all genders and orientations." Violet Blue,
author of The Smart Girl's Guide to Privacy and editor of the
award-winning series Best Women's Erotica
"This book shines a much-needed light on an experience that’s far
more common than most people realize. Julie Decker brings together
the many different voices and stories of asexual people, presents
lots of valuable information, and offers helpful insight about how
non-asexual people can be supportive. If you or someone you know is
or might be asexual, read this book. And if you’re a sexuality or
relationship professional, read this book. Asexuality is part of
the sexuality spectrum and you need The Invisible Orientation on
your shelves." Charlie Glickman, PhD, certified sexological
bodyworker
"This is a long overdue book, offering the general purpose
introduction to the subject which has heretofore been lacking. It
is an essential addition to any academic reading list that
encompasses asexuality and should be required reading for any
therapists with an interest in sexuality. It provides a sense of
what it is like to be asexual that can sometimes be missing from
academic work and engages with the literature while nonetheless
refusing to be constrained by it. It is also immensely readable,
providing an authoritative overview that sign posts the reader who
is keen to explore further. I can’t recommend The Invisible
Orientation highly enough and hope it has a wide readership. Given
how effectively it critiques the myths surrounding asexuality,
helping those who are not asexual themselves better understand
something that can at first be deeply confusing, it is a book with
the potential to make a positive difference to many people’s lives
and help combat what the author describes as the 'insidious form of
exclusion' which asexual people continue to experience." Mark
Carrigan, Department of Sociology, University of Warwick
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