Our (Horrible) First Drag Shows
Episode 53We both had very awkward first Drag show experiences for very different reasons...but embarrassing events make for great stories! Plus, a somewhat related bonus story of Courtney's very weird attempt to purchase a massage.
One Year Anniversary of The Ace Couple Podcast
Episode 52It is our one year podcast anniversary! A lot has happened in a single year, so let's take a trip down memory lane.
Gray-Asexuality & Diverse Video Game Representation ft. Lucy Blundell
Episode 51Lucy Bludell AKA Games by Kinmoku is the disabled, gray-ace indie game dev who brought us the wonderful visual novel One Night Stand. In this episode, we talk about their personal journey, why an ace would make a game about a one night stand, queer representation in gaming, and her forthcoming game VIDEOVERSE!
Demisexual Representation: Never Been Kissed
Episode 50Never Been Kissed by Timothy Janovsky has one of the best metaphors for oriented (gay, demi) asexuality that we've ever read. As a New Adult novel, it takes the conversations of sexual orientation a little further than YA books we've read with a demisexual character- which we appreciate very much!
r/AreTheStraightsOK “Cheating on my partner is self-care!”
Episode 49On Reddit there is no shortage of straight people who think that marriage is a trap, they hate their partners, and they cheat on each other for “self-care”. We have no choice but to ask... ARE the straights OK!?
Christian Republicans HATE Asexuals
Episode 48Christofascists HATE asexuals, and this isn't new. For years, they've been saying that platonic marriage goes against God and should be illegal. And ironically, because of Obergefell v. Hodges (the landmark Supreme Court case that legalized same-sex marriage)...it might be.
God Gave Us Sex...So You BETTER Do It Right!
Episode 47Conservative Christians think marriage should be “conjugal” NOT “consent-based”. Religious lobbyists say marriage was the first institution created by God before man created government and is, therefore, based in religion and procreative sex, not love and autonomy.
Religious Right Says Sex is Integral to Marriage, More Important than Autonomy
Episode 46The religious organizations opposing platonic marriage believe that sex is the #1 most important component to marriage. In their own words, procreative sex is more important than personal bodily autonomy. This is compulsory sexuality, amatonormativity, and rape culture.
Asexual Marriage is Under Attack
Episode 4583 religious, right-wing organizations signed a letter to Mitch McConnell condemning the Respect for Marriage act and citing “platonic marriage” as a “startling expansion of what marriage means”. Today, we break down the letter. Next week, we examine these organizations closer.
We Lost a Friend to Acephobia (& Other Microaggressions)
Episode 44We lost a friend due to acephobia and other microaggressions that started to arise and spiraled out of control during a D&D campaign.
Answering Your NGL Questions
Episode 43Time for an anonymous Q&A! We asked for questions via the NGL app and you delivered! We do our best to answer them all, but a few of them are complicated enough that they could be an entire episode on their own!
Bigoted Article: Playing the Ace Card
Episode 42The Spectator published an Anti-Ace, Anti-Trans article. We share what they said and why it's important to learn what their strategy and talking points are. We need to know how to fight back, because they're playing the long-game while we're stuck in damage control.
The Seven-Year Itch: The Concept & The Movie
Episode 41We recently celebrated our 8 year anniversary which means we successfully staved off the alleged “seven-year itch”, but what is even is that? Is it real? Is it just an allosexual thing? Did the movies make it up? Let's talk about it!
Asexual Representation: Parvati Holcomb in The Outer Worlds
Episode 40Parvati Holcomb is our favorite character in the The Outer Worlds. She is Asexual and as her captain/confidant, you can play as an AroAce. This is groundbreaking rep for Aces in video games (and we don't just say that because her potential girlfriend works at “The Groundbreaker”)
What the “Kink at Pride” Discourse Gets Wrong
Episode 39We are by NO means anti-kink-at-pride, however, there are some staple lines in The Discourse that we see over and over that run counter to our experience. So, here's our asexual perspective along with some added nuance to properly complicate the conversation. We know this is a hot-button issue and we really, truly come in peace. Please do not assume what our stance is without listening to the whole episode, as we cover A LOT of ground.
Asexual Representation? Welp...Guess We Gotta Talk About Euphoria...
Episode 38Euphoria is a lot. We can't claim to be fans of the show, but season 2 questioned whether or not the main character, Rue, could be asexual. However, the way it was handled caused a lot of online harassment aimed at the Ace community.
Jaiden Animations is AroAce: The Internet's Reaction and What it Means to the Community
Episode 37Popular Animator and YouTuber Jaiden Animations announced that she is AroAce! Rarely do we get real-world representation from someone with this big of a platform, so we talk about her video, the internet's reaction, and what this means to the community.
Growing up in the Bible Belt & Black Asexuality ft. Tyger Songbird
Episode 36Happy Pride Month! We're kicking it off with an extra special episode featuring the fantastic Tyger Songbird! We talk about Tyger's experience growing up in the Bible Belt, Black Asexuality, the necessity of diverse representation, and SO much more!
Being Asexual with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
Episode 35May is EDS & HSD Awareness Month! We often speak about the intersection of asexuality and disability, but Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome happens to be one of Courtney's many maladies and her experience actually runs counter to the “disabled people are desexualized” narrative.
Our Eight Year Anniversary Special- Reminiscing on our 1st Year of Marriage
Episode 34May 23rd is our 8 year anniversary! Please join us on a trip down memory lane as, for the first time, we reread the “365 I love you's” that Courtney wrote and gave to Royce on our 1st anniversary. Reminiscing both sweet and silly ensues.
Umm...Did Shawnee, Kansas Ban Roommates!?
Episode 33Did Shawnee ban roommates? Are unmarried couples, QPRs, & queer family structures under attack? Shawnee is the first city we ever lived in together, so we give a local perspective on the matter, including a history of racial and economic discrimination present here.
Heartstopper, Alice Oseman, and AroAce Vibes
Episode 32Heartstopper is making waves in young, queer love. We aren't quite the target demographic for this story, but there is still much to applaud and potential for AroAce rep in future seasons. The writer, Alice Oseman is AroAce which is enough for us to lend our support.
r/AmITheAsshole? Asexuality Edition
Episode 31Today we're comin' atcha with 5 stories from r/AmITheAsshole that all somehow revolve around the topic of asexuality. We have Ace people, Straight people, Gay people, and “Allies” who have submitted themselves for our judgment via reddit.
“Radical” Monogamy
Episode 30What the heck is Radical Monogamy? Is it a thing? SHOULD it be a thing? Citing a variety of articles, we discuss our personal thoughts, the polyamory discourse surrounding ace-allo relationships, and we reimagine polyamory as D&D spell slots. (Plus that one time Courtney was almost on Viceland)
Asexual Representation: The Dreaded House Episode
Episode 29A decade ago, Courtney, along with over 8 million other Americans tuned in to watch an episode of House entitled “Better Half”. In the closet and considering how to come out, she was delighted to see an asexual couple make an appearance...until it all went wrong.
New Community Project Announcement! A-specs Committed to Anti-Racism
Episode 28Happy International Asexuality Day! In honor of IAD, we're launching a new community project: A-specs Committed to Anti-Racism. Here's why this project is important and how to participate. Plus, tune in for a book giveaway!
Asexual (and Autistic!) Representation: Everything's Gonna Be Okay
Episode 27Everything's Gonna Be Okay came on our radar in the same way Sex Education did: A singular scene that the Ace community kept sharing. Unlike Sex Education, however, this show became a fast favorite of ours for it's nuanced take on both asexual and autistic representation.
Meet Our Pets!
Episode 26Let us introduce you to The Ace Couple Pets! Our family consists of a grumpy old-man dog, a somehow even grumpier opossum, two large snakes, and an entire mouse circus.
Let's Play Fog of Love, A Rom-Com Board Game: We Give it a Year
Episode 25Fog of Love is often described as “Romantic Comedy as a Board Game”, so what happens when a married Ace couple gives it a play? In this episode, we roleplay a fraught year in the relationship of Priscilla, the advertising manager and Bertrand, the career criminal. Silliness ensues.
Asexual Representation: Todd Chavez, Our Ace Hero
Episode 24Part 2 continuing from last week's episode! Todd Chavez from Bojack Horseman is currently our favorite example of asexual representation in the media. We finish our discussion of Todd by reviewing seasons 4-6 including his relationships with Emily, Yolanda, and Maude.
Asexual Representation: Todd Chavez from Bojack Horseman
Episode 23Bojack Horseman. We went from hating it, to loving it, to enshrining it is as one of our all-time favorite pieces of media. In 2016, we watched in delight as season 3 teased an asexual plotline for audience-favorite Todd Chavez. And friends, it only got better from there!
An Introduction to Aromanticism
Episode 22It's Aromantic Spectrum Awareness Week! To celebrate, here's our introduction to Aromanticism. We discuss why this week is important, why Courtney might be a little bit Demi/Gray-Romantic (including an utterly embarrassing Elementary School story), and the concept of amatonormativity. Aromantic Spectrum Awareness Week is celebrated the last full week after Valentine's Day. For 2022, that's February 20th-26th.
Our Common Law Marriage
Episode 21We decided to take the unconventional route and get married by Common Law nearly 8 years ago. There are many misconceptions about what common law marriage is and is not, so we're going to talk about how and why we did it and how we told our families.
Asexual Representation: Lets Talk About Love
Episode 20Let's Talk About Love by Claire Kann is a YA novel featuring a Black, Bi “Gray” Asexual woman as the main character. It is a MUCH needed breath of fresh air in a sea of white Ace Rep. Here's our (spoiler!) discussion about it! I also forgot we live in a modern world where I can look up how to pronounce an author's name via The Internet prior to recording, so....I pronounced it wrong and I am ever so sorry :( Her last name should have been pronounced Kann with an open wide and go “ah” sound, not Kann as in a “Can” of soda.
Does the Asexual Community have an Ageism Issue?
Episode 19Although asexuality is not a new sexual orientation, the community, which is primarily assembled online, still feels very new at times. Not only new, but very YOUNG. Today we discuss the ageism present both in and out of the Ace community.
Asexual Representation: Graphic Novel A-Okay
Episode 18A-Okay by Jarad Greene is a beautiful, semi-autobiographical graphic novel which centers asexuality right alongside other widely relatable coming of age issues such as acne and growing apart from friends. Here's Courtney's recap and review (spoilers, obviously)!
New “Hardballing” Gen Z Dating Trend
Episode 17The latest dating trend to come out of Gen Z is called Hardballing AKA “Dating like a CEO”. Some love it while others hate it, so we're here today to discuss our asexual perspective on the matter.
Web Accessibility, Personal vs Corporate Responsibility, & Avoiding Anti-Black Activism
Episode 16Web accessibility is imperative in our modern society. However, in trying to make a more inclusive internet, we can fall into the trap of creating new issues for other marginalized communities if we place the burden primarily on individuals instead of the tech corporations who can-and should- be doing so much more.
Reacting to “Marriage Requires Amnesia” New York Times
Episode 15Last week, The New York Times published an article entitled “Marriage Requires Amnesia: Do I hate my husband? Oh for sure, yes, definitely.” and it's...a lot.
Asexual Representation: Interview With the Vampire
Episode 14Interview with the Vampire is famously homoerotic, at least according to Allos. But Baby Ace Courtney saw components of her own experience in The Vampire Chronicles, so we're here to make the argument that Anne Rice's Vampires are, in fact, Asexual.
We Played One Night Stand The Video Game
Episode 13Believe it or not, but as an Asexual, monogamous, married couple, we do not have a lot of experience with One Night Stands. Well, thanks to independent game developer, Kinmoku, we can play a video game simulation of the awkward “morning after”. Kinmoku herself is a Grey Ace, and we think she made a beautiful Visual Novel!
Have You Come Out To Family? The Asexual Community Responds
Episode 12What percentage of Asexual folks have actually come out to their family? Most large-scale surveys on coming out focus only on the LGBT experiences and neglect the rest of the acronym, so we turned to Twitter to ask our followers. The poll results and comments elaborating reflect important components of the Ace experience.
Coming Out as Asexual to Family
Episode 11No two coming out stories are exactly the same. In this episode, Royce shares their reasons for not having a coming out conversation with family and Courtney shares a story of getting her Grandma a little tipsy before coming out as asexual.
An Asexual Couple's Guide to Giving Gifts
Episode 10The Holidays are upon us and many are starting to stress about what gift to give their partners. But never fear! The Ace Couple is here to talk about the way they handle gift giving, because it just so happens that Royce is the best gift giver that Courtney has ever known.
I Almost Became An Asexual Lingerie Model
Episode 9I am asexual and when I was 18, I almost became a lingerie model. Until now, I've never shared this story or these photos publicly, but recently there was a ton of backlash when prominent ace activist and model Yasmin Benoit joined Playful Promises to create an Ace Week campaign, so I'm here to add another voice to the “Aces in Lingerie” conversation.
Mehgender with None Pronouns
Episode 8Hooray! Royce Episode! Today, we talk about gender identity and personal pronouns from the perspective of someone who is Agender, doesn't wish to use pronouns, and generally feels rather “meh” about the whole gender thing.
Asexual Representation: Is Dexter Morgan an Ace Icon!?
Episode 7Dexter: New Blood is the reboot that nobody asked for, but since it’s here anyway, now is the perfect opportunity to look all the way back to season 1 of the original series and ask...is Dexter Morgan secretly an Asexual Icon!?
Ace Week 2021 Recap: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
Episode 6In many ways, we believe that this year was the most successful Ace Week to date! There were many wonderful successes such as Disabled Ace Day and PanACEa, but no queer event online goes without it’s challenges. Today, we discuss some of the notable events to come out of Ace Week 2021 including the good, the bad, the weird, and the downright hateful...i.e. the Girlguiding Twitter fiasco. For those who want to opt out of the hate comments, we start talking about Girlguiding at 41:02.
The Complicated Intersections of Disability and Asexuality
Episode 5Living at the intersections of Disability and Asexuality is complicated and we need to have this conversation. Ableism is rampant in the Ace community, while acephobia is equally abundant in the Disabled community. That is why Courtney is founding Disabled Ace Day on Wednesdays during Ace Week. In this episode, Courtney (a disabled woman) and Royce (her spouse and accessibility expert) discuss the deeply discriminatory histories that have put these two communities at odds with one another as well as some of their personal experiences with discrimination and volunteering that highlight why a day like this is so important.
Ableism and Acephobia in LGBTQIA+ spaces
Episode 4On this week’s episode, Courtney shares some of her personal experiences with disability discrimination in queer spaces. Ableism is rampant in LGBTQIA+ communities and that is one of the core reasons why we are founding the first ever Disabled Ace Day on Wednesday, October 27th, 2021 during Ace Week. Next time on The Ace Couple, we will discuss the complicated intersections of disability and asexuality including broader, systemic issues pertaining to ableism and aphobia.
Our Asexual Love Story
Episode 3The world needs more asexual love stories, because the first asexual love story we ever saw was our own. From a disastrous first date to a life-threatening car crash, learn how our chance encounter online ended up fulfilling a mysterious fortune and lead to our happily ever after.
Asexual Representation: Sex Education Was Bad, Actually
Episode 2Season 2 of Netflix's Sex Education introduces the character Florence and teaches about asexuality in a heartfelt scene that resonated with many in the ace community, but is this actually good asexual media representation? We argue, no.
ContraPoints Tweeted and Made Us Start a Podcast...
Episode 1Natalie Wynn AKA ContraPoints recently tweeted about Asexuality in a seemingly less than favorable light. On this inaugural episode of The Ace Couple Podcast, we're going to dig into it to explore what she did right, what she did wrong, the asexual community's reaction, and our thoughts on the matter.