Romantic orientation is a term that originates with asexual communities. It is related to a person's romantic attractions or desires, whereas sexual orientation is associated with sexual attractions. Romantic orientation is generally expressed in terms of which gender or genders a person is attracted to in relation to the person's own. These terms usually end in the suffix "-romantic".[1]
Romantic orientations are most often referred to in asexual communities, but they are not exclusive to asexual people. Although a person's sexual and romantic attractions are usually implied by the same word used for their sexual orientation, a person's romantic and sexual orientation may differ. The Split Attraction Model is sometimes used to convey these differences.[1]
Examples of romantic orientations[]
The labels below aromantic are specifically alloromantic orientations and most are defined in terms of genders. For additional romantic orientation labels under the aromantic umbrella, see aromantic spectrum.
Aromantic[]
- Main article: Aromantic
The aromantic pride flag
Aromantic, often shortened to aro, describes people who do not experience romantic attraction,[2][1] or experience little-to-no romantic attraction.[3] 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.[3]
The aromantic spectrum, also known as "aro-spec", ranges from aromantic to alloromantic, referring to people who regularly and consistently experience romantic attraction.[2] People within the aromantic spectrum are part of a community that has much in common. They may use the label aromantic as a close fit for their experiences or use other labels that further describe them.[3]
Abroromantic[]
- Main article: Abroromantic
Abroromantic individuals experience their romantic orientation as fluid and/or changing over time. Although other kinds of fluidity may involve changes in the genders one is attracted to, abroromanticism involves one's entire orientation changing over time. The intensity of their attractions may change as well.[2]
Androromantic[]
The androromantic pride flag
Androromantic is a label used to denote romantic attraction to men, males, and/or masculinity.[2][4][5] However, note that androsexual can also be used to mean both sexual and romantic attraction to men, males, and/or masculinity,[6][7][8][9] while androromantic is specifically for romantic attraction by itself. Masromantic is an alternate term to androromantic.[2]
Biromantic[]
- Main article: Biromantic
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A biromantic flag
Biromantic is a term used to describe people who are capable of feeling a romantic connection to people of any two or more specific and distinct gender identities.[10] Biromantics want to date and form a romantic connection with more than one gender—including cisgender men, women, and other non-rigid identities like transgender and non-binary people.[11]
Ceteroromantic[]
- Main article: Ceteroromantic
Ceteroromantic flag
Ceteroromantic, also sometimes referred to as skolioromantic, is a romantic orientation where a person is romantically attracted to non-binary genders.[2][12][13]
Gyneromantic[]
The gyneromantic pride flag
Gyneromantic is a label that is used to describe having romantic attraction to women, females, and/or femininity.[2][4][14] Gynesexual can also used to mean both sexual and romantic attraction to women, females, and/or femininity,[6][7][8] but gyneromantic is the label specifically for romantic attraction. Gynoromantic and womaromantic are alternate terms for gyneromantic.[2]
Heteroromantic[]
Heteroromantic describes individuals who feel romantic attraction to people of a gender different than their own. Within the Split Attraction Model, its sexual orientation equivalent is heterosexual.[1]
Homoromantic[]
Homoromantic refers to individuals who feel romantic attraction to people of the same or similar gender as their own. Within the Split Attraction Model, its sexual equivalent is homosexual.[1]
Omniromantic[]
- Main article: Omniromantic
An omniromantic pride flag
Omniromantic is a romantic orientation where a person is attracted to all genders,[2][15] sometimes with a preference for certain genders.[2][16][17] It is often grouped with other romantic orientations that involve attraction to multiple genders, such as biromantic, polyromantic, and panromantic.[18]
Panromantic[]
- Main article: Panromantic
The panromantic pride flag
Panromantic is a term used to describe people who are capable of feeling a romantic attraction toward people regardless of their sex or gender identity. The sexual equivalent of this is pansexual.[19][20]
Polyromantic[]
- Main article: Polyromantic
Polyromantic, refers to someone who is romantically attracted to many, but not all, genders,[21] and not necessarily involving sexual attraction.[22]