‘I DIDN’T KNOW WHAT I WAS UNTIL I DISCOVERED THE TERM “ASEXUAL”’

Caroline Havenhand, 30, lives in Bakewell and works as a manager in manufacturing

‘I can see how people struggle to understand asexuality – I was unsure myself until a decade ago when I met someone who identified as asexual. Before, I’d wondered if I was gay or bi, but then I realised I’m not interested in sex with anyone.

That isn’t to say I don’t want a relationship. In fact, I love hugs, hand-holding and kissing just as much as anyone else, and I do sometimes get scared at the thought of ending up alone, which I guess goes for most single people at some point.

I worry about falling for someone in case they want something from the relationship that I can’t or don’t want to give, so I’d prefer to end up with another romantic asexual – gender isn’t important to me, it’s about the person and the connection we feel.

I haven’t discussed my asexuality with my parents or grandparents – I don’t think they’d get it – but it doesn’t bother me too much. The world is made up of many wonderful people and everyone is unique.

This is just my uniqueness. That’s how I see it.’