Holmes and Asexuality

       Sherlock Holmes has seen many different interpretations in the 133 years since his premier

in A Study In Scarlet. He has been female, he has been animated, he has been modernized, etc.

and that’s just in officially published works such as BBC’s Sherlock or the Sherlock Holmes films

with Robert Downey Jr.  When delving into the realm of fanfiction, Sherlock Holmes has been

interpreted in more ways than is possible to count, in relation to his gender, his country of origin,

his backstory, his age, his sexuality, and in countless other ways. Sherlock Holmes has been

interpreted as identifying in just about every sexuality that exists, one specifically that should be

mentioned, however, is asexuality. 
       Asexuality is defined as not experiencing sexual attraction, and in many Sherlock Holmes

canon stories, there is evidence to support this interpretation of the beloved character. While we

have never seen this represented in a Sherlock adaptation, there is a plethora of fanfictions that

are marked as having an asexual Sherlock. However, Sherlock fanfiction with an asexual

character often does not give an accurate representation of this complex sexuality. In fanfiction

with a tagged Asexual Sherlock, we often see a Sherlock who has no interest in sex whatsoever, and it is a conscious choice on his part to abstain from sex.
       This is not entirely accurate. Asexuality, as with any sexuality, is not a conscious choice, it is simply how people feel. So these representations do not present asexuality in a truthful light. Beyond that though, even stories that do not show a character in that light will sometimes show them as being entirely sex-repulsed, meaning they find sex to be disgusting or repulsive. This also does not show asexuality in a truthful way. Asexual people, more commonly referred to as aces, often times feel other forms of attraction, these being sensual, aesthetic, and romantic attraction. For example, those who experience demisexuality, a form of asexuality, feel sexual attraction ONLY after building a strong romantic relationship. Those who are aegosexual, another form of asexuality, don’t feel sexual attraction, but are capable of being aroused and are aroused by pornographic content, just not normally in relation to themselves. Asexuality has many facets and forms, which oftentimes are not displayed in fics that are tagged with asexual characters. Some aces even enjoy sex and have it often, but don’t experience sexual attraction, which is a key factor in what makes someone asexual. 
       This does not necessarily mean that all asexual Sherlock fanfictions are not accurate representations of asexuality, or that they aren’t valid interpretations, because for many people, these are representations that they can identify with, which is important in an era that has extraordinarily little asexual representation. Any asexual representation is good and commendable, I just want to bring to the forefront the idea that asexual Sherlock fanfictions tend towards a very single-minded representation, with minimal variety in the forms of asexuality represented. For some, this is due simply to the way that asexuality is represented in popular media, and so it is the way the author believes asexuality is experienced. This is most common in authors who are not asexual themselves. For others, this is simply due to the way they experience asexuality in their own life, which is acceptable and encouraged, I applaud the authors who are able to bring their own sexuality into their writings.
       Asexuality is a complex and often misunderstood sexuality. It can be frustrating for readers who are asexual to read asexual characters that they feel misrepresent them. For those authors who are not asexual, do not be discouraged! Feel free to write your asexual characters, but perhaps consider finding a beta who is asexual. That way you can understand your story from their viewpoint, in addition to your own. For those authors that are asexual, again, I commend you for writing your characters to represent yourselves. And for readers everywhere, of any sexuality, remember that not all asexuals are the same, and asexuality is a vast spectrum of experience and emotion. Don’t think there’s just one type or one way to be ace, because there are many.