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Asexual Quote by Keri Hulme

“I don't like kissing." "I suppose it is a matter of taste."[...]"I wondered, did anyone ever," shrug, "you know, hurt you so you don't like kissing? love?" "Nope."[...] "I thought maybe someone had been bad to you in the past, and that was why you don't like people touching or holding you." "Ah…” quote by Keri Hulme
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““I don't like kissing." "I suppose it is a matter of taste."[...]"I wondered, did anyone ever," shrug, "you know, hurt you so you don't like kissing? love?" "Nope."[...] "I thought maybe someone had been bad to you in the past, and that was why you don't like people touching or holding you." "Ah damn it to hell," she bangs the lamp down on the desk and the flame jumps wildly. "I said no. I haven't been raped or jilted or abused in any fashion. There is nothing in my background to explain the way I am." She steadies her voice, taking the impatience out of it. "I'm the odd one out, the peculiarity in my family, because they are all normal and demonstrative physically. But ever since I can remember, I've disliked close contact...charge contact, emotional contact, as well as any overtly sexual contact. I veer away from it, because it always feels like the other person is draining something out of me. I know that's irrational, but that's the way I feel." She touches the lamp and the flaring light stills. "I spent a considerable amount of time when I was, o, adolescent, wondering why I was different, whether there were other people like me. Why, when everyone else was facinated by their developing sexual nature, I couldn't give a damn. I've never been attracted to men. Or women. Or anything else. It's difficult to explain, and nobody has ever believed it when I have tried to explain, but while I have an apparently normal female body, I don't have any sexual urge or appetite. I think I am a neuter.””

Keri Hulme

About This Quote

Source Novel: The Bone People, 1984

The narrator describes a deep aversion to physical intimacy, attributing it to past trauma and personal identity, feeling drained by contact.

In simple terms: She dislikes close contact due to personal history and identity.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and respect personal boundaries.

Themes

trauma identity intimacy

Mood

introspective empathetic

Type

thoughtful cautious

When to use this quote

  • therapy
  • relationship building
  • self‑acceptance
  • support groups
  • education

Key Concepts

psychology self‑awareness sexuality boundary setting

Questions to Reflect On

  • What boundaries protect your well‑being?
  • How can you seek support without stigma?
A Different Perspective

May generalize personal experience as universal.

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