Understanding How Asexual Individuals Navigate Identity Disclosure and Concealment

Asexual individuals may navigate unique identity management challenges, given societal misunderstanding and invisibility of asexuality. This study investigated identity disclosure and concealment among asexual individuals using strategic outness theory as a guiding framework. Fourteen asexual young adults aged 18 to 30 (n = 14; 6 men, 3 women, 4 nonbinary individuals, and 1 transgender man; M age = 24.50, SD = 2.88) were interviewed to explore their decisions about disclosing or concealing their asexual identity to different social groups, including family, friends, romantic partners, healthcare providers, and workmates. Participants most often disclosed to parents, siblings, and friends; they most often concealed their identity from extended family. Notably, many participants both disclosed and concealed their identity within certain relational contexts depending on perceived safety, necessity, and anticipated reactions. Thematic analysis identified four key motivations for disclosure: expected acceptance, a desire for authenticity, the perceived need for specific people to know, and relationship negotiation. Five themes were identified for concealment motivations: expectations of a negative emotional reaction, fear of rejection, fear of dismissal or invalidation, burden of representation, and concerns that disclosure would harm a relationship. Findings highlight the complex, context-specific factors influencing asexual individuals' decisions to disclose or conceal their identity, underscoring the emotional and social costs associated with these processes. The study contributes to the growing body of literature on asexuality by providing new insights into how asexual individuals manage their sexual identity across different relational contexts.