Queerplatonic attraction (also known as quasiplatonic attraction, quirkyplatonic attraction, or qplatonic attraction) is a form of attraction experienced mainly, but not exclusively, by a-spec people. It is an umbrella term for any attraction that bends the rules for telling apart romantic attraction from non-romantic attraction.
Queerplatonic attraction can be very similar to platonic attraction and alterous attraction. For some people these types of attraction greatly overlap and they do not make any distinction between them. For others they may feel like their is a clear distinction between these feelings. Many people consider queerplatonic attraction as having platonic (or simply non-romantic) attraction towards someone while desiring a relationship with the commitment level of a romantic relationship, although this meaning isn't true for all. Wherever the lines are blurred between platonic and romantic, that attraction can be called queerplatonic. For example, queerplatonic attraction can include desire for friendships and ambiguously-romantic relationships that go beyond friendship norms in emotional intensity, physical affection, or other areas. Some people with queerplatonic attraction also desire to live together with these partners or get married to them. Queerplatonic attraction can look different for everyone, depending on what the person experiencing it is comfortable with.
Terms
A queerplatonic crush can be called a "plush". Someone who does not experience queerplatonic attraction and/or does not desire a queerplatonic relationship may call themself aqueerplatonic. A queerplatonic relationship is any relationship that bends the rules for telling apart romantic relationships from non-romantic relationships.[1] Some aqueerplatonic people may still want or have queerplatonic relationship, they just do not get "plushes". Other aqueerplatonic might not desire a queerplatonic relationship. They may also identify as nonamorous.
History
The term queerplatonic originated among asexuals to describe an ambiguous category outside the strict boxes of romance and friendship.[2] The term was first used by Meloukhia in the comment section of a 2010 Dreamwidth post.[3] In 2011, Meloukhia, also known as S. E. Smith, introduced the term on Tumblr.[4]
Symbolism
Currently, there is no consensus on queerplatonic symbolism. At least four different flag designs have been proposed for queerplatonic.[5] Most of these flags use the colors yellow and pink. Yellow is commonly used to symbolize platonic relationships. Pink is possibly use because it's a light form of red- with is commonly used to represent romantic attraction, showing that queerplatonic relationships can sometimes resemble romantic relationship, but are also their own thing entirely.