Experiences of Italian Asexual and Aromantic Individuals in Healthcare Settings: from Explicitly Aggressive to Affirming Interactions

Asexual and aromantic spectrum identities (ASPEC) experience stigma and invisibility and are at risk of worse mental health outcomes. Healthcare providers lack knowledge on the topic of asexuality and aromanticism, resulting in intentional or unintentional discriminations. The present study explores the interactions of ASPEC people with healthcare providers. We used Codebook Thematic Analysis, a qualitative methodology based on an online questionnaire completed by 284 ASPEC people. The six resulting themes ranged from Manifest aggression to Microaffirmation. Participants’ experiences highlight that clinical settings are often unsupportive spaces, exposing them to greater vulnerability and pointing to the lack of training for professionals.