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Asexuality in Television
Asexuality receives sparse attention in the media. It is often viewed as a “lack” of something, which is difficult to actively portray on screen. Additionally, asexuality has yet to be fully recognized as a legitimate sexual orientation. Therefore, when when it does get representation in the media, asexual characters are often not the main characters or the focus of story lines, and/or tend to be framed around a mindset of needing to be fixed or changed. An example of this type of portrayal occurs in an episode of the popular tv show “House M.D.” In the 2011-2012 season episode titled “Better Half,” a couple (whose story is additionally not the focal one) start out as declaring themselves to be proudly and happily asexual. However, House’s immediate reaction to their statement is “there must be some medical cause.” He then sets out to prove that there is no way they can be asexual by choice. House does indeed discover a brain tumor in the husband that it turns out has been suppressing his sexuality. When this is revealed, his wife then sheepishly admits that she became asexual purely to be with her husband, and that before they met she had enjoyed sexual encounters.

Another frequent trope of asexual representation in media is the tendency for it to be temporary and something that changes over time. It is not shown to be consistent trait or facet of the characters in question. It is merely a phase that someone goes through. In multiple popular tv shows, including “Dexter” and the “The Big Bang Theory,” the main characters (Dexter and Sheldon respectively) start out in each series as staunchly asexual. Neither character has any interest in sex or physical relations. However, in both series, these characters slowly begin to change, giving physicality in relationships a chance. In Season 1 Episode 1 of Dexter, he describes the relationship he has with a woman named Rita. He says that sex never enters relationships for him, and that he doesn't understand the actual act of sex. However, in Season 2 episode 4, he form a sexual relationship with another woman, and upon his return to Rita, he begins developing a more intimate relationship with her as well. However, as their relationship progresses, Sheldon becomes more open to being more physical.

There is one show currently on television called "Sirens (US Version," that most agree portray asexuality in a positive light. One of the main female characters, nicknamed Voo Doo, is openly asexual, something that is recognized and talked about throughout the series . The encounter that she has with a coworker in Season 1 Episode 6 goes remarkably well, as he affirms and accepts her and her identity for what they are, and does not try to change her or convince her otherwise.