Aromantic

Aromantic refers to someone who experiences little to no romantic attraction to others. People who are aromantic typically do not feel the desire to form romantic relationships, such as the kind of emotional or romantic connection often associated with being in love or having a partner. This doesn’t necessarily mean that an aromantic person doesn’t experience other types of attraction, like sexual attraction, or that they cannot form close, meaningful relationships. It simply means that romantic attraction is not a part of their experience.

What does it mean to be Aromantic?

  • No desire for romantic relationships: Aromantic individuals may not feel the urge to date, fall in love, or pursue romantic connections.
  • Different feelings of affection: They may still feel strong affection, care, or emotional closeness toward friends, family, or others, but without romantic elements.
  • Aromantic spectrum: Like other identities, aromanticism is a spectrum. Some people may experience gray-romanticism (occasionally feeling romantic attraction), demiromanticism (feeling romantic attraction only after forming a deep emotional connection), or other variations of romantic experiences.

Being aromantic is a valid sexual orientation, and it is important to understand that it’s distinct from sexual orientation. An aromantic person can still be heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, or have any other sexual identity. Aromanticism simply refers to their experience with romantic attraction.

What is the Aromantic Flag?

There’s also a flag for aromanticism, which has five horizontal stripes:

  • Green: Represents the aromantic spectrum.
  • Light green: Represents the potential for romantic relationships and community.
  • White: Represents the aromantic individual’s lack of romantic attraction.
  • Gray: Represents the gray area between romantic and non-romantic attraction.
  • Black: Represents the aromantic community.

This flag helps symbolize the identity and experiences of aromantic people and offers them a sense of belonging within the broader LGBTQ+ spectrum.