Greyromantic or Greyaromantic (also spelled as Grayromantic or Grayaromantic) is a romantic orientation on the aromantic spectrum which describes those who relate with aromanticism, yet feel that there are parts of their experience that aren't fully described by the word aromantic.[1] Greyromantic can be used as a specific identity, or as an umbrella term for other specific identities.
A common reason someone may identify as greyromantic is that they experience romantic attraction but very infrequently. Some greyromantic people may only feel romantic attraction once or twice in their life. Others may experience it more frequently, but still not as frequently as alloromantic people.
Some greyromantic experiences may include:
- Experiencing romantic attraction infrequently.
- Experience romantic attraction very weakly.
- Feeling romantic attraction but not desiring a romantic relationship.
- Feeling unsure about how to identify romantic attraction or how to draw the line between romantic and non-romantic, and consequently feeling unsure about having experienced it or not.
- Experiencing attraction that is only ambiguously romantic.
- Feeling alienated from romance.
- Feeling attraction only in specific circumstances.
- Finding aromanticism a useful idea, even if it isn't a perfect fit.
Greyromantic can be an orientation on its own or it can be combined with other romantic orientations. For example, one could be greyromantic and homoromantic (grey-homoromantic), meaning that one rarely experiences romantic attraction, but when they do it's only ever towards people of the same/similar gender.
Greyromantic is also sometimes used as an umbrella term for any aro-spec identity that is not purely aromantic.
The sexual counterpart of greyromantic is greysexual.
Flags
The first flag was coined by an unknown. The second flag was coined by a user going by Angel on December 3rd, 2020. The darker shades represent occasional attraction, the mid-way shades represent being on the aro spectrum, the lightest shades represent feeling no romantic attraction, and the white represents community.