The aromantic spectrum, abbreviated as aro-spec, refers to romantic orientations that are aromantic or are closely related to aromanticism when placed on a spectrum ranging from aromantic to alloromantic.[1] Alloromantic (or zedromantic) refers to people who are not on the aromantic spectrum and experience romantic attraction.[2]
It is also used by people whose aromantic identities are conditional, unreliable, or atypical to societal expectations, and by people who simply do not wish to label it further.[1] Identities under the aromantic umbrella are closely connected as part of a broad community.
|
Stub |
| This article is a stub. You can help LGBTQIA+ Wiki by expanding it. |
Community
While it is commonly assumed that romantic and sexual attraction go hand in hand,[3] evidence suggests that a statistically significantly percentage of people experience inharmonious attraction with sexual and romantic orientation.[4] 1% of the sample size (4 people) identified as asexual or aromantic.
Many websites and resources are available for learning more about the community of aromanticism and the spectrum itself, such as AUREA - Aromantic-spectrum Union for Recognition, Education, and Advocacy.[5]
The words used to describe the aromantic spectrum often mirror those seen in the asexual spectrum.[6]
Aromantic spectrum awareness week
Aromantic spectrum awareness week (ASAW) is an annual, international event that aims to spread awareness and acceptance of aromantic spectrum identities. It works to spread awareness of the identity while celebrating the existence of those who identify. It takes place the first full week in February, usually following Valentine's Day. It bean as a way to unify those in the aromantic community who found it difficult to share their experience. The first week was recognized in November 2014, under the name Aromantic Awareness Week, though it was moved to February in 2015. The new date also included the use of the word "spectrum" in a strive to be inclusive to all.[7]
Identities under the umbrella
Aromantic
- Main article: Aromantic
Aromantic pride flag
Aromantic, often shortened to aro, describes people who do not experience romantic attraction,[2][8] or experience little-to-no romantic attraction.[9] One of the meanings of the A in LGBTQIA+ is Aromantic.[2] Aromanticism is a romantic orientation and may involve forms of attraction that are not necessarily romantic, or interests in relationships that are intimate in other ways. There is no singular experience of aromanticism.[9]
Aegoromantic
Aegoromantic describes those who enjoy the concept of romance but do not have a desire to participate in romantic activities. Aegoromantic individuals may have romantic fantasies, enjoy romantic media, or engage in shipping in fandoms, but they tend to feel little to no romantic attraction in real life and typically do not desire a romantic relationship.[1]
Aroflux
One of the most common aroflux flags
Aroflux is an identity that operates along the aromantic/alloromantic spectrum.[10] People who identify as aroflux may experience their romantic orientation as fluctuating between experiencing and not experiencing romantic attraction, or that attraction is being experienced to alternating or changing degrees.[11]
Autoromantic
An autoromantic flag
Autoromantic people may elicit romantic attraction from themselves, by themselves. They may not desire romantic activities with others, but may enjoy being romantically intimate with themselves.[2]
Cupioromantic
A cupioromantic flag
Cupioromantic describes those who do not experience attraction but do desire a romantic relationship.[12] The term "cupio" is the Latin word for "I desire."[source?]
Demiromantic
- Main article: Demiromantic
A demiromantic pride flag
Demiromantic describes people who do not experience romantic attraction until they have formed a deep emotional connection with someone,[1][13] according to the most common definition.[13] Other definitions of this romantic orientation are only experiencing limited romantic attraction,[13] or falling somewhere on a spectrum between aromantic and romantic; the latter definition overlaps with one for grayromantic.[14]
Grayromantic
Grayromantic includes (but is not limited to) people who feel very low amounts of romantic attraction, rarely feel romantic attraction, only feel romantic attraction under specific circumstances, or are not sure if they experience romantic attraction.[2]
Lithromantic
A lith- or akoi- romantic flag
Lithromantic[1] or lithoromantic,[15] alternatively called akoiromantic or akoineromantic,[1] describes someone who feels romantic attraction but does not want it reciprocated, or loses that attraction when it is reciprocated.[1][15] They may enjoy romantic relationships in theory, but may stop feeling romantic attraction once in a relationship or stop enjoying it.[1]
The term was originally coined as "lithromantic" by Ian, who uses the Tumblr screenname stopanthropomorphizingme, sometime by May 22, 2014.[16]
Quoiromantic
A quoiromantic flag
Quoiromantic, also known as WTFromantic, describes being unable to tell the difference between differing kinds of attraction, being unsure about experiencing romantic attraction or not, and/or not feeling romantic attractions are relevant to one's self.[2]
Recipromantic
A recipromantic flag
Recipromantic people only experience romantic attraction after knowing that the other person is romantically attracted to them—that is, when it is reciprocated.[2]
Resources
- AUREA, the Aromantic-spectrum Union for Recognition, Education, and Advocacy
References
|