Question: What do you think about the broader range of LGBTQ+ identities - asexuality, demisexuality etc - that are becoming more prevalent in society? Do you think we run the risk of trivialising sexuality and giving unnecessary labels to nuances of sexuality that seem more like preferences than identities?

Dan Taylor answered on 13 Mar 2019:

This is such a tough one because I am still not entirely sure what the right answer is.
One of the big issues we have is there is little research on things like bisexuality or even homosexuality in women. So when it comes to “newer” forms of sexual expression, there’s barely anything. I do believe it’s important to use science to inform opinion, so without research it’s so hard to say. The other thing is sexual orientation tends to be stable across the lifespan, there are some exceptions but generally speaking anyway. We haven’t had the time to research how “stable” these orientations are, and most people haven’t come out as things like demisexual until so recently we don’t know if it’s going to “stick around”. I think there’s some stuff on asexuality which definitely leads me to think it is most likely a very real form of orientation. But I think this may be a case of live and let live, if it is “real” then in 10 and 20 years time we probably will have the research to show it. If it’s attention seeking or unnecessary labeling it probably will die out and be forgotten about in a decade or so anyway.
I think what a lot of people forget about things like sexuality and orientation is that it is most likely not going to affect you unless you’re part of the community. Someone identifying as asexual is not going to make you asexual, so why not let them identify that way? It’s hurting no one so overall I see very little issue with it. I think its good people are finding new ways to express themselves, personally I was never a huge fan of labels for myself, but I also think it’s no reason why others can’t use them if it makes them feel more comfortable. Live and let live!
I’m sorry I can’t give more of a yes/no type answer but I think its really hard to suggest either way without having some proper research which we just don’t have yet.