I agree with friends first. That is what I always say, now anyway. I have been hurt in the last by not getting to know a person first. It is difficult for me because I have baggage and lots of it but also because I physically cannot have romantic love for someone. I am demi sexual so dating is hard for me as it is friendship first not to mention my baggage. Oh well. I am in it for the long haul, not looking for a tempapory fling and I am willing to try to get to know people. Yes I am high maintanace but I have my reasons. If you cannot deal with me as friend, then most certainly not as anything more.

I am asexual, demi sexual to be precise, and it took me some time to get my head around it because of the common misconception that all asexuals do not have sex. Some of us do, some of us do not.
I always knew the lgbtqa community was there and so anyone can be what ever they like.
For me i do not fall in love with someone, i will have friendship love/deep connection with. Only then can i be intimate with them. But just because i am intimate with someone, does not mean they are my partner. But one day i wish to find a companion who i would like to join my household and be intimate with.
I will say that i have to be friends with someone first, then develop a deep connection with someone before i feel comfortable enough to be intimate with someone.
It is not like this for everyone, this is just what it js to me.