Lack of Ace Representation
So, San Francisco has been great!
It truly has. It has felt incredibly freeing, and I’ve been able to explore my gender identity (currently trying out new pronouns and enjoying it!). Frameline has been great too! I have seen so many incredible films and had some wonderful conversations with directors and others who have worked on the films.
But… I really wish there was more asexual and aromantic representation at Frameline (the queer film festival in San Francisco). I have never seen my identity portrayed authentically and unoffensively in cinema. There are a few TV shows that do a good job, but never any movies. Perhaps there is a shorts package I haven’t seen which has some aro or ace representation, but to my knowledge, none of the feature length films have it.
There are a few reasons for this: asexual and aromantic identities are still struggling for recognition. It is getting better but that comes with more backlash. Yasmin Benoit, an asexual activist and model from the U.K., has been doing amazing work! I highly recommend following them on Instagram or other social media; they are a legend for our community. They are also the first asexual activist to receive the British LGBT award which is very exciting!
Why there are no aro/ace films at Frameline could be due to multiple reasons and likely is. Here are just a few.
1. A lack of aro/ace films in general
2. Perhaps they are poorer quality
3. Prioritizing other identities over aro/ace identities
I do believe that Frameline does their best to have a variety of identities portrayed. This year, there was a beautiful intersex documentary which received the “Out of the Silence Award,” which is given to one story each year that brings attention/light to an overlooked identity. I do believe that Frameline is cognizant of the identities they are portraying and try to showcase ones which often feel invisible in or left out of queer spaces. But there is still a chance aro/ace identities were underprioritized, especially if none of their programmers are aro or ace.
So, what can we do? We should continue to support each other and uplift aro/ace voices as well as other voices that are often forgotten. Support aro/ace artists and storytellers. Continue to advocate for ourselves and others. Be loud.
Our voices deserve to be heard. In San Francisco I have seen small asexual pride flags, but never any full-size ones. I hope to see some during pride, but we shall see. We belong in queer spaces, and we need to make sure other LGBTQIA+ people remember that and don’t exclude us.
I am happy to see ace flags, regardless of the size, it does make me happy. To see them flying along with trans, lesbian, and gay pride flags. To see asexual and aromantic earrings and trinkets in stores. We are not forgotten. As we continue to gain more visibility we will receive more bigotry. As such, it is important for ace-allies to continue to have our back and make us feel welcomed in queer spaces. We don’t win these fights alone and an attack on any LGBTQIA+ identity is an attack on all of us. I feel welcomed in San Francisco, and I hope it continues to have more aro and ace visibility as time goes on.
