Full Interview: Asexuality and Purity Culture
As many of you know, I’m fascinated by the relationship between asexuality and Christian purity culture.
I’ve written about it on Bluesky and Twitter. I’ve explained on this Substack how purity culture can push asexual people toward conversion therapy. I also have an article coming out soon in the Journal of Positive Sexuality where I argue that sex positive activists and researchers can improve their work by focusing on the experiences of asexual people who grew up in purity culture. (I’ll share that article here and on my Bluesky once it’s published.)
Last year, I was interviewed by Joey Thurmond, a writer at Sojourners, about the relationship between asexuality and purity culture.
This week, Joey published the full interview on his Substack. You can read the interview—and find the link to the full Sojourners story, which is worth a read—at this link.
One of the big ideas that guides my research on asexuality is actually pretty simple: focusing on asexuality provides valuable insight into how society works, even for people who aren’t asexual. This story about purity culture is a great example. We often focus on how purity culture represses sexuality (which it absolutely does) while forgetting that purity culture also compels sexuality.
Both repressive and compulsory pressures are central to systems of sexual control. Asexuality helps us see that more clearly. This clarity is more urgent than ever in the United States (and beyond), amidst swelling attacks on reproductive rights and the elevation of pronatalism in conservative politics.
One last thing…
Before I sign off, I have an ask for you. As you probably know, the Trump administration has already made decisions that negatively impact researchers. People doing research on queerness are in a particularly vulnerable position.
Some of you have messaged me asking what you can do. If you’re able, one simple thing you can do that makes a big difference: upgrade to a paid subscription on this Substack.
I don’t charge for access to anything I publish on Substack, because I feel strongly about making my research as open and available to the public as possible. By becoming a paid subscriber, you help me do things like:
Pay undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in studying asexuality.
Fund travel to conferences where I can present my research and learn about other cutting edge research (I currently receive $1,200 for this annually from my university… which doesn’t even cover the full cost of a single conference).
Buy books (both for myself and my students).
Provide snacks for my students (many come from very low income households and about half are the first in their family to attend college).
Canton Winer is an Assistant Professor of Sociology and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at Northern Illinois University. His research focuses on the relationships between gender and sexuality, with specific focus on the experiences and perspectives of people on the asexuality spectrum. You can keep up with his research on Bluesky.
Want to support my research on asexuality? Consider becoming a contributing subscriber by clicking on the button above. I am committed to keeping my work free, without paywalls. Consider your paid membership a token of appreciation, an investment in research on asexuality, and a small but meaningful way to join a community that shares your interests.