DILVE (link)

Despite the rising visibility of asexuality – generally defined as a lack of sexual attraction – in the twenty-first century, contemporary scientific discourse has largely ignored the potential gendered differences in asexual experiences. Similarly, few studies have discussed the portrayal of asexuals in the media. However, as one of the very few sexual identities which have been shaped almost solely by online and media experience, asexuality offers unique grounds for questioning how human identities are shaped by the performance of sexuality, or lack thereof.

This book guides the reader through scientific and popular considerations of asexuality as well as the most significant instances of asexual representation in U.S. media in order to provide solid cornerstones for the study of this overlooked identity. On the examples of Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory (2007-2019) and Dexter Morgan from Dexter (2006-2013), the second part of this book analyzes how these potentially asexual male characters navigate their masculinities, how they employ traditionally masculine traits and behaviors in their identity formation processes.