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Today is the last day of and on this final day of pride our final day of highlighting individuals Today we will highlight those who are aromantic. What exactly is this and how does this work? Simply put aromantic means without Romance. Now what does that mean? How does that work? Before we can get into that, we need to dig into exactly what romantic feelings are and then go from there, so with this brief introduction out of the way let us get started.

While dating and relationships are often seen as universal goals, not everyone shares the desire to experience a romantic relationship. A person who is aromantic does not experience romantic attraction or interest in romantic relationships. Romantic attraction refers to a desire to have emotional contact and interaction with a partner. However, the definition of a romantic relationship can vary depending on the individual. Verywell Mind
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SEXUAL IDENTITY
What Does It Mean to Be Aromantic?
By Kendra Cherry Updated on June 23, 2021
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
How to support aromantic individuals
Verywell / Madelyn Goodnight

Table of Contents
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Table of Contents
Characteristics
Aromanticism vs. As*xuality
Aromantic Spectrum
Relationships
Challenges
While dating and relationships are often seen as universal goals, not everyone shares the desire to experience a romantic relationship. A person who is aromantic does not experience romantic attraction or interest in romantic relationships. Romantic attraction refers to a desire to have emotional contact and interaction with a partner. However, the definition of a romantic relationship can vary depending on the individual.

Romantic love often involves feelings of passion, an intense desire for closeness, and emotional intimacy. During the initial stages of a relationship, romantic love can be strong—sometimes to the point of being overwhelming or distracting. Over time, these feelings often settle into what is often referred to as compassionate love.
People who are aromantic, however, don't feel this way and don't have any desire to feel that way.
The opposite of aromanticism is alloromanticism, or the desire for a romantic relationship. The term aromanticism is also sometimes known by the abbreviated form “aro.” In the LGBTQIA+ acronym, the “A” represents aromantic, as*xual, and agender
The exact prevalence of aromanticism is not known, but one study suggested that around 1% of people identify as as*xual and around 25% of these were also aromantic.
Everyone’s experience is unique, so feelings about romance and relationships can vary greatly among aromantic people. Some may have different desires and expectations for physical and emotional intimacy. There is no standardized definition of what constitutes romance, so one person's definition may differ from someone else’s.

Some signs that you might be aromantic include:

You don’t experience feelings of romantic attraction.
You feel that you do not need a romantic relationship to feel complete or fulfilled.
You don’t experience “crushes” or being “in love” with someone else.
You have a hard time relating to romantic stories.
Being aromantic doesn’t mean that you don’t feel or experience love. You may experience strong feelings of love for family and friends. And research suggests that aromatic people often still desire s*x.
It is important to note that aromanticism and as*xuality are different. As*xuality involves a lack of s*xual interest or attraction. Some as*xual people may not desire s*x but can still want romance. And aromantic people may desire s*x but not romance. There is little research available on aromanticism, and the distinctions between romantic and s*xual orientation are not fully understood. People sometimes have difficulty distinguishing between romantic and s*xual attraction since they are often closely intertwined, making studying the topic more difficult.
Aromantic, like many of the other things we have discussed this month identities s*xualities and romantic identities is a spectrum. So, let us take a moment and look at this spectrum. Both s*xuality and aromanticism are part of what is known as the as*xual spectrum identities. While many aromantic people are also as*xual, people with various s*xual identities may also describe themselves as aromantic. For example, a person may describe themselves as an aromantic bis*xual, an aromantic le***an, or an aromantic gay man.
Other identities on the aromantic spectrum include:4

Gray-romantic or gray-s*xual: These terms refer to individuals who fall somewhere in the middle of aromantic and romantic and as*xual and s*xual. They may experience some romantic or s*xual feelings but only under certain conditions.
Demiromantic or demis*xual: These terms refer to people who only experience romantic or s*xual feelings with another person after forming an emotional bond.
Lithromantic or akoiromantic: These terms refer to people who may feel romantic feelings toward other people but do not wish for those feelings to be returned. If those feelings are reciprocated, the attraction fades.
Recipromantic or recipros*xual: These terms refer to individuals who only experience a romantic or s*xual attraction if they know that the other person also feels the same way. It is important to note that being aromantic affects a relationship. A lot of people think that if you're aromantic you just don't want a relationship, but for many individuals that is simply untrue. So let's take a moment and look at the impact of being aromantic on a relationship.
It is important to note that aromantic people may still be involved in intimate or s*xual relationships. However, these relationships may look different from romantic relationships. Table of Contents
Characteristics
Aromanticism vs. As*xuality
Aromantic Spectrum
Relationships
Challenges
While dating and relationships are often seen as universal goals, not everyone shares the desire to experience a romantic relationship. A person who is aromantic does not experience romantic attraction or interest in romantic relationships. Romantic attraction refers to a desire to have emotional contact and interaction with a partner. However, the definition of a romantic relationship can vary depending on the individual.

Romantic love often involves feelings of passion, an intense desire for closeness, and emotional intimacy. During the initial stages of a relationship, romantic love can be strong—sometimes to the point of being overwhelming or distracting. Over time, these feelings often settle into what is often referred to as compassionate love.

People who are aromantic, however, don't feel this way and don't have any desire to feel that way.

The opposite of aromanticism is alloromanticism, or the desire for a romantic relationship. The term aromanticism is also sometimes known by the abbreviated form “aro.” In the LGBTQIA+ acronym, the “A” represents aromantic, as*xual, and agender.

The exact prevalence of aromanticism is not known, but one study suggested that around 1% of people identify as as*xual and around 25% of these were also aromantic.1

This article discusses aromanticism, how it affects relationships and offers tips on caring for your mental health if you identify as aromantic. It also discusses how you can support a family member or friend who is aromantic.

Characteristics of Aromanticism
Everyone’s experience is unique, so feelings about romance and relationships can vary greatly among aromantic people. Some may have different desires and expectations for physical and emotional intimacy. There is no standardized definition of what constitutes romance, so one person's definition may differ from someone else’s.

Some signs that you might be aromantic include:

You don’t experience feelings of romantic attraction.
You feel that you do not need a romantic relationship to feel complete or fulfilled.
You don’t experience “crushes” or being “in love” with someone else.
You have a hard time relating to romantic stories.
Being aromantic doesn’t mean that you don’t feel or experience love. You may experience strong feelings of love for family and friends. And research suggests that aromatic people often still desire s*x.1

Aromanticism vs. As*xuality
While some aromantic people are as*xual, the two are not synonymous. As*xuality involves a lack of s*xual interest or attraction. Some as*xual people may not desire s*x but can still want romance. And aromantic people may desire s*x but not romance.2

There is little research available on aromanticism, and the distinctions between romantic and s*xual orientation are not fully understood. People sometimes have difficulty distinguishing between romantic and s*xual attraction since they are often closely intertwined, making studying the topic more difficult.3

What Does the Term 'Alloromantic' Mean?
Aromantic Spectrum
Both s*xuality and aromanticism are part of what is known as the as*xual spectrum identities.4 While many aromantic people are also as*xual, people with various s*xual identities may also describe themselves as aromantic. For example, a person may describe themselves as an aromantic bis*xual, an aromantic le***an, or an aromantic gay man.5

Other identities on the aromantic spectrum include:4

Gray-romantic or gray-s*xual: These terms refer to individuals who fall somewhere in the middle of aromantic and romantic and as*xual and s*xual. They may experience some romantic or s*xual feelings but only under certain conditions.
Demiromantic or demis*xual: These terms refer to people who only experience romantic or s*xual feelings with another person after forming an emotional bond.
Lithromantic or akoiromantic: These terms refer to people who may feel romantic feelings toward other people but do not wish for those feelings to be returned. If those feelings are reciprocated, the attraction fades.
Recipromantic or recipros*xual: These terms refer to individuals who only experience a romantic or s*xual attraction if they know that the other person also feels the same way.
Glossary of Must-Know S*xual Identity Terms
How Aromanticism Affects Relationships
It is important to note that aromantic people may still be involved in intimate or s*xual relationships. However, these relationships may look different from romantic relationships. Such partnerships may involve being in an exclusive relationship, living together, showing affection, and having s*x. Aromantic people may get married, have children, and raise families.
Motivations beyond romance, such as a desire for family or children, are some reasons why people might choose to pursue a relationship. Aromantic people may pursue relationships to give or receive affection and care. A lack of romantic or s*xual interest does not mean that a person does not want intimacy, commitment, or emotional support.
They may develop relationships based on shared interests, mutual respect, or emotional closeness. However, such relationships may be based on a more familiar or platonic sense of love rather than a romantic one. Some aromantic people may enter what is referred to as a queer-platonic partnership or QPP. These partnerships are platonic in nature but have the same degree of commitment as a romantic partnership, including cohabitating and making decisions together.
There are many challenges that face people in these type of relationships. Societal expectations can create challenges for people who identify as aromantic. There is a tremendous amount of societal pressure on people to find a partner, commit, and have children. People who don’t desire that are often pressured to settle down, get married, and have kids anyway. Those who don't are often made to feel that there is something wrong with them or that they are missing out.
Romantic content in popular media can also sometimes present challenges for those who are aro. While some aromatic people might enjoy romance-centered movies, books, and tv programming, others may feel indifferent or even repulsed by such depictions. Amatonormativity is a term that has been coined to describe society’s expectations concerning romance. It has been used to describe the pressure to find and prioritize romance, marriage, and monogamy.6

Some researchers have suggested that amatonormativity creates a social stigma surrounding being single and can pressure people into entering or staying in unhealthy relationships. It's important that whether you're in a relationship with an aromantic person or they're just a loved one such as a family member or friend that you know how to support them.
If you have a friend or loved one who is aromantic, there are things that you can do to be a supportive friend and ally:

Respect their romantic orientation: You might not fully understand all of the aspects of what it means to be aromantic, but you should show respect for what they feel. Listen to what they have to say and ask what you can do to accommodate their needs and show your support.
Don’t be dismissive: Remember that people understand themselves and their own feelings better than you ever can. Don’t dismiss what they feel or insist that they’ll change how they feel. Don’t try to push people into romantic situations they are not interested in.
Don't make assumptions: Avoid common misconceptions about aromantic people, such as the idea that they are cold or simply haven't met the right person. Be respectful if you have questions and be aware that the individual may not want to share. Ask if it is okay for you to ask questions and learn more about them.
If you aromantic you must know how to care for yourself. Aromantic people often face stigma and misconceptions about their romantic orientation. Others sometimes think they are not loving or that they will eventually change and develop romantic relationships. Dealing with these myths can sometimes make people feel isolated or pressured to conform to other people's expectations.

While you might not want romantic relationships, having social support is important for your mental health and well-being. Focus on cultivating strong relationships with other people outside of romantic contexts. It is important to remember that other forms of love are not any less important than romantic love.

If you are aromantic, don’t feel pressured to participate in romantic or s*xual situations you aren’t comfortable with. Don’t force yourself to do things to meet someone else’s expectations or because of social pressure.
While aromantics are often mistakenly viewed as cold or prudish, it is important to remember that people who identify as aro have diverse feelings and experiences. Some may enjoy physical intimacy, and some may not. Some may want a commitment without the expectations of a romantic relationship, while others may prefer to have no romantic relationships at all.
If you think you might be aromantic, it is important to remember that you alone get to decide how you feel and how to share those feelings with others. For more resources and information being aromantic, visit some of the following resources:
• AACE (As*xual & Aromantic Community and Education) Club
• Aromanticism FAQ from Aurea, the Aromantic-spectrum Union for Recognition, Education, and Advocacy
• The Ace and Aro Advocacy Project
• A Handbook for Coming Out

With all of that said let us take a moment and look at the Aromantic flag. History: The first aromantic pride flag was a four-stripe design with green, yellow, orange, and black. Green represented the opposite of red (the color of romance), yellow played off of yellow flowers which represent friendship, orange because it was between yellow and red (for grey-romantics), and black was for alloromantics who reject the traditional ideas of romance. It is unknown when this flag was designed, or by whom.

The second aromantic pride flag was a five stripe design of dark-green, light-green, yellow, grey, and black. This design was created by Tumblr user Cameron () from Australia on February 7, 2014.

The third and most recent design is the one flown by the GSRC, and is the most widely accepted version, replacing the yellow of the second flag to a white stripe. This flag was designed by Cameron as well, updating the design themselves on November 16, 2014.

Flag Meaning
Dark Green: Represents aromanticism.
Light Green: Represents the aromantic spectrum.
White: Represents platonic and aesthetic attraction, as well as queer/quasi platonic relationships.
Grey: Represents grey-aromantic and demiromantic people.
Black: Represents the s*xuality spectrum.

We hope you will have enjoyed this month-long Journey through pride month as we focused on many but not all of the groups represented by and found within the LBGTQ + Community. Remember at Individual Fighting Systems all of us are either a member of or Allies of the community and you will always be safe here. Find one of our locations one of our certified instructors and embrace your truth. Learn to protect yourself, learn to be the best version of yourself, and don't hesitate to reach out to us if you need love support and help of any kind. We love you and we will keep you safe.