History and Background

Aromantic Spectrum Awareness Week (ASAW) is a week meant to spread awareness and acceptance of aromantic spectrum identities and the issues we face, as well as a chance for the community to celebrate our own experiences and existence.

ASAW generally occurs the first full week (starting Sunday) following Valentine’s Day; it began in large part as a way for those in the aromantic community who had difficulty finding space for their experiences in such a universally romanticized event to come together and celebrate their own unique experiences.

This week was first recognized from November 10th-17th in 2014, under the name Aromantic Awareness Week; in 2015, it was moved to late February, and the name was changed to Aromantic Spectrum Awareness Week to be more specifically inclusive of all arospec identities.

How to Participate

You can participate by visiting the organizer’s website for various materials and the current year’s ask if any. If your campus or place of work has an LGBTQ group, encourage them to organize events throughout the week like panels or educational opportunities. If you’re on social media, use the current year’s hashtags and campaign photos to spread the word and encourage others to do the same. There may be ASAW overlays available for Facebook.