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A comic that debunks myths about asexuality

Sexuality can be really complex.

Asexuality is often misunderstood.

In general, it's believed to be the absence of any romantic interest, but asexual identity actually means that a person is not sexually attracted to anyone. Romantic feelings and the strength of those feelings can vary from person to person.

Currently, about 1% of adults have no interest in sex, though some experts believe that number could be higher. For a long time, information on asexuality was limited, but researchers recently have found information that gives us more knowledge about asexuality.

Being asexual can be tough, though — just ask the artists from Empathize This.

To demonstrate, they put together a comic on asexuality, defining it as a sexual orientation, not a dysfunction:

This article originally appeared on 5.16.16

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"Not seeing color just means defaulting to the regular standard, which is white."

Sometimes people say they're "colorblind" — that they don't see race, and race doesn't matter to them.

While this might be well-intentioned, the idea of colorblindness is problematic. It often becomes a mechanism for ignoring systemic problems with racism, rather than addressing them. And instead of eliminating racism, colorblindness can "erase" the identities of people of color and minority groups.

Kerry Washington summed it up well in a discussion on colorblind racism:

"I'm not interested in, sort of, living in a world where my race is not a part of who I am. I am interested in living in a world where our races, no matter what they are, don't define our trajectory in life."

In this comic from Empathize This, the artist describes how it feels to be a minority and to be subjected to "colorblindness," or whitewashing:

Next time you hear someone say they're colorblind, share this comic with them.

When we acknowledge the beauty of racial diversity and address the problems surrounding race in our system, we create a world that is more inclusive for all people — and that's pretty important.

Bisexuals do not 'pick' or 'end up on one side or the other.'

Let's get one thing straight: Bisexuality is real.

Contrary to popular belief, you don't just "switch teams" when convenient. Being bisexual is not in a medieval-style game in which you ultimately choose women or men at the finish line either. And bisexuality also doesn't end when you get in a committed relationship. Relationships don't end our physical attraction to other humans ... and for those who identify as bisexual, those other humans could be a man or a woman.

There are a lot of studies that point to the stigma and variations of bisexuality, too. Some studies show that women are more likely to identify as bisexual than men. But more men in recent years have admitted to having homosexual encounters, too.

And while this does not necessarily mean that someone is bisexual, the line between straight and gay has certainly blurred more powerfully in recent years.

In a comic featured on Empathize This, an artist takes us on her own marriage journey as a bisexual woman.

She's married to a man, but she explains that her bisexual identity is an inherent part of her, a part that her partner shouldn't minimize, which is something that many bi-identifying folks can relate to:

Bisexuality isn't just a phase. And recognizing that is an awesome way to acknowledge folks of all sexual orientations, no matter what their relationships look like.

This is how we can create a more inclusive and open world for folks everywhere. And that's something worth celebrating!

Family

What it's like to live with depression, as told through 10 comic panels.

This comic highlights the complexities of living with depression.

Living with depression looks very different for different people.

But we should be talking about how depression feels and looks more often because, as national mental health groups report, major depressive disorder affects around 16 million adults in the U.S. per year.

For many people, depression changes daily interactions.

Handling everyday problems, interacting with friends and loved ones, and even working can be especially difficult for those who are struggling.

Most people don't talk about depression or ask for help either.

Experts estimated that 1 in 4 people have treatable mental or emotional challenges, but thanks to factors such as money, time, and stigma, up to 75 % of Americans and Europeans don’t seek the help that they need.

Minorities are particularly hesitant to find treatment for depression, with only 7.6% of African-Americans reported reaching out in 2011 compared to 13.6% of the general population.

That's why artists from Empathize This illustrated some real talk about the complexities of living with depression.

Through art, they're hoping to dismantle the stigma that surrounds it.

empathize this

A comic that debunks myths about asexuality

Sexuality can be really complex.

Asexuality is often misunderstood.

Being asexual can be tough, though — just ask the artists from Empathize This.

A poignant comic about a girl's struggle to find her identity, racial and otherwise.

'I have journeyed from being the non-white/white child of white parents, to asserting my true self.'

This comic breaks down the problem with whitewashing race.

"Not seeing color just means defaulting to the regular standard, which is white."

Sometimes people say they're "colorblind" — that they don't see race, and race doesn't matter to them.

In this comic from Empathize This, the artist describes how it feels to be a minority and to be subjected to "colorblindness," or whitewashing:

Next time you hear someone say they're colorblind, share this comic with them.

This comic embraces the complexity of bisexuality in relationships.

Bisexuals do not 'pick' or 'end up on one side or the other.'

Let's get one thing straight: Bisexuality is real.

In a comic featured on Empathize This, an artist takes us on her own marriage journey as a bisexual woman.

Bisexuality isn't just a phase. And recognizing that is an awesome way to acknowledge folks of all sexual orientations, no matter what their relationships look like.

What it's like to live with depression, as told through 10 comic panels.

This comic highlights the complexities of living with depression.

Living with depression looks very different for different people.

Most people don't talk about depression or ask for help either.

That's why artists from Empathize This illustrated some real talk about the complexities of living with depression.

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