Demiromanticism
| Etymology | From Old French demi ('half'), ultimately from Latin dimidius |
|---|---|
| Classification | Romantic orientation |
| Parent category | Aromantic spectrum |
| Other terms | |
| Associated terms | Aromanticism, demisexuality |
| Flag | |
 | |
| Flag name | Demiromantic pride flag |
| Part of a series on |
| LGBTQ people |
|---|
 LGBTQ portal |
Demiromanticism is a romantic orientation on the aromantic spectrum characterized by experiencing romantic attraction only after forming a close emotional bond.[1][2] Recognized by organizations such as GLAAD, it is considered an intermediate identity between aromanticism and alloromanticism (regularly experiencing romantic attraction).[2] The term was coined in 2008 on the Asexual Visibility and Education Network (AVEN).[1][2] The time required to form this bond varies significantly among individuals.
Under the split attraction model, romantic and sexual attraction are viewed as distinct. Consequently, demiromanticism does not determine a person's sexual orientation; an individual may identify with any sexual identity (such as heterosexual, homosexual, pansexual, or demisexual).[3][1][2] In academic literature, the combination of differing romantic and sexual orientations (such as heterosexual demiromantic) is categorized as a discordant orientation.[4]
In models of attraction, demiromanticism is characterized by the presence of secondary romantic attraction – which develops only after establishing an emotional bond – and the absence of primary romantic attraction.[1] While developing affection over time is common in romantic relationships, demiromanticism is distinguished by an inability to experience initial infatuation or crushes based on immediately apparent traits.[3]
Demographics
[edit]Surveys of asexual and aromantic communities indicate that demiromantics make up a consistent minority within the broader spectrum. In a 2011 census of 3,436 asexual-spectrum individuals, 12.1% identified as demiromantic.[3] Similarly, the 2020 Aro Census by AUREA (surveying over 9,500 respondents) reported that approximately 14% identified as demiromantic.[5]
The 2020 survey also noted behavioral differences within the aromantic spectrum: demiromantic respondents were the group most likely to report having experienced romantic attraction at some point in their lives and – alongside cupioromantic individuals – were among the most likely to desire a romantic relationship.[5]
Symbolism
[edit]The demiromantic pride flag parallels the demisexual flag in design. It features a black chevron on the hoist pointing toward three horizontal stripes: a thick white stripe at the top, a thin green stripe in the center, and a thick gray stripe at the bottom. While interpretations of the flag's colors vary, the green stripe is commonly interpreted as representing either the aromantic spectrum or demiromanticism itself, white represents platonic attraction and queerplatonic relationships, gray represents gray-aromanticism, and the black triangle represents sexuality.[1][2]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 5 "What does demiromantic mean?". LGBTQ Nation. Retrieved 2026-06-02.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Owen, Erika (2023-08-30). "What Does It Mean to Be Demiromantic?". Them. Retrieved 2026-08-17.
- 1 2 3 Decker, Julie Sondra (2014). The Invisible Orientation: An Introduction to Asexuality. New York: Carrel Books. pp. 26–27, 40. ISBN 978-1-63144-002-1.
- ↑ Mangen, Kayla (2024-05-30). Splitting Attraction: A Phenomenological Study of Coming Out With Discordant Sexual and Romantic Orientations Among Adults (PDF) (PhD thesis). Walden University. pp. 10–12.
- 1 2 "The Aro Census 2020". Aromantic-spectrum Union for Recognition, Education, and Advocacy (AUREA). July 2021. Retrieved 2026-06-02.
 | This article about lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer topics is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by adding missing information. |