Robyn Exton, Mook Phanpinit, Jessica Serviat
Robyn is the CEO & Founder of HER. Find her on Twitter.
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Robyn Exton, Mook Phanpinit, Jessica Serviat
May 15, 2026
Asexual romantic relationships are relationships where one or both partners experience little or no sexual attraction while still wanting emotional closeness, romance, partnership, or long-term commitment.
These relationships are just as meaningful and emotionally fulfilling as any other form of romance. They simply prioritize connection in different ways.
Within sapphic and ace communities on HER, there’s growing visibility for asexual relationships that honour intimacy without assuming sexual activity.
Whether you’re newly exploring ace dating or looking for ways to deepen long-term connection, this guide offers grounded, low-pressure ways to thrive in love while building trust in ace dating spaces.
Quick takeaway: Healthy asexual relationships thrive through honest communication, emotional intimacy, shared boundaries, and supportive ace-friendly communities.
Ace-friendly dating platforms can make relationships feel safer, clearer, and less emotionally exhausting from the start.
HER is one of several growing asexual dating apps designed to support ace-spectrum users through inclusive identity options, proactive moderation, and ace-friendly features like Incognito Mode and Pride Pins.
This matters because aphobia, meaning discrimination or misunderstanding toward asexual people, can make dating feel draining or unsafe.
HER’s 15 million members and clear no-tolerance policy for sexualised or aphobic content create safer ground for expressing who you are.
| Platform | Ace-specific filters | Moderation strength | Event/community support |
| HER | Strong (custom IDs, Pride Pins) | High, with active moderation against aphobic content | Local queer & ace events |
| AceSpace | Built for ace users | High | Virtual socials & dating clubs |
| OKCupid | Partial ace filter options | Moderate | General interest events |
| Acebook | Community-first | Moderate | Focused on long-form discussion |
Platforms designed with ace users in mind reduce emotional labor by normalizing asexual identities from the beginning.
HER’s focus on emotional fluency and inclusive design makes it a natural home for ace sapphics seeking real, pressure-free connection.
Clear communication helps asexual relationships feel safer, more compatible, and less stressful.
If you’re dating while asexual, being upfront in your dating profile or early chats about your orientation and what intimacy means to you helps set expectations early.
Mention things like:
Some ace people also relate to the split attraction model, which explains how romantic and sexual attraction can differ.
Explaining this early helps partners understand how you bond emotionally, even if sexual attraction isn’t part of the picture.
The benefit? You’re filtering for compatibility before emotional labour piles up.
Asexual relationships often thrive through nonsexual affection and small, steady acts of love.
Partners can express intimacy through deep conversation, quality time, holding hands, giving thoughtful gifts or sharing rituals like regular movie nights.
| Type of bond | Common expressions |
| Romantic | Shared rituals, love notes, date nights |
| Sensual | Cuddling, hugging, gentle touch |
| Platonic | Inside jokes, mutual care, acts of kindness |
Research from Michigan State University suggests ace relationships thrive through the same foundations as other healthy relationships: trust, commitment, emotional support, and mutual care.
Ace-friendly dating spaces reduce the pressure to constantly explain or defend your identity.
HER’s ace-friendly filters, community events and queer-focused groups make finding like-minded partners easier, while AceSpace, Asexuals.net and Acebook offer broader networks for discussion.
Ace-friendly communities are dating or social spaces designed to respect asexual identities, boundaries, and relationship styles.
These communities can increase compatibility while also creating space for friendships that naturally grow into romance.
HER’s community-first design makes that evolution feel intuitive and low-stress.
Mixed-orientation relationships, where one partner is ace and the other is allosexual, can absolutely work with honest communication and mutual respect.
Start by sharing needs honestly, then co-create boundaries together: maybe sensual touch without sex, or open discussions about emotional versus physical fulfilment. Revisiting these agreements regularly helps prevent resentment.
The goal is mutual understanding, not pressure, guilt, or treating asexuality as something temporary.
Consistent, emotionally responsive communication helps ace relationships feel stable and supported.
Studies show that couples using collaborative, non-defensive communication experience greater satisfaction and trust.
Helpful communication habits include:
HER’s in-app community groups on love, wellness and identity can help practise this kind of emotional honesty in a supportive, queer-informed space.
Aphobia, meaning prejudice, discrimination, or misunderstanding toward asexual people, still affects many ace people in dating spaces, especially online.
Better asexual representation in the media also helps reduce stigma and misinformation around ace identities.
HER’s safety tools, including flagging, reporting, and Incognito Mode, help create a safer and lower-pressure experience.
Displaying ace identity tags or Pride Pins signals boundaries upfront (for example: “Asexual, affectionate, not seeking sex”).
Joining private groups or ace-specific chats can also cushion against burnout. Safe environments remove the burden of constant education and let you focus on genuine emotional connection.
HER’s queer-led moderation helps keep those spaces balanced and affirming.
Community support can make ace relationships feel more validating and sustainable.
Support from peers, online forums and ace-savvy therapists offers validation and coping strategies when challenges arise.
Ace-affirming therapy means working with professionals who understand ace experiences without pathologising them.
Checking in with these spaces regularly reminds you that you’re not alone. Whether it’s HER’s community discussions or AceSpace meetups, hearing “me too” stories from others reaffirms that your love, boundaries and needs are entirely normal, and worthy of celebration.
Talk openly about boundaries and expectations early, use clear “I” statements, and check in regularly so both partners feel heard and respected.
Asexual couples often build intimacy through emotional closeness, shared activities, cuddling, and honest communication rather than sexual activity.
Mixed-orientation couples may face mismatched sexual desires but can thrive through honest negotiation, empathy and ongoing respect for each partner’s comfort level.
Asexual people can join ace-centred spaces like HER, where safety, privacy and community-led connection are prioritised. Readers looking for more support can also explore this asexual romantic relationships guide with 10 practical tips.
Asexual identities may shift as people learn more about themselves; staying open and communicative keeps relationships grounded through those changes.
Further reading on asexual relationships and dating
Robyn Exton, Mook Phanpinit, Jessica Serviat
Robyn is the CEO & Founder of HER. Find her on Twitter.
