Aromantic asexuality
| Etymology | The combination of aromantic (aro) and asexual (ace) using the split attraction model |
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| Definition | The lack of both romantic and sexual attraction to others |
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Aromantic asexual, colloquially shortened to aroace or aro-ace, is a romantic and sexual orientation characterized by experiencing little to no romantic and sexual attraction. The name comes from combining the two attraction minorities, aromanticism and asexuality, specifically the shortened versions of their names: "aro" for aromantic and "ace" for asexual, and forming a combined term using the split attraction model.[2][3][4]
A 2020 study found that 26% of asexual people also identify as aromantic.[5]
Just like asexuality and aromanticism, aro-ace identities exist on a spectrum.[6]
Community and symbols
The most popular aro-ace flag consists of five horizontal bars, including two shades of blue, white, yellow, and orange. Tumblr user aroaesflags designed the flag.[7] The two shades of blue represent the spectrum of aroace identities and experiences. White represents wholeness, yellow represents love and relationships that exist outside of more conventional ideas of romantic and sexual relationships, and orange represents community.[8][9]
Stigma and social invisibility
Several aro-ace people report struggling with social invisibility, even among the LGBTQ+ community. While this often contributes to feelings of loneliness, some also use it as a means of camouflaging at work or school.[10]
References
- ↑
- "GSD Center celebrates National Coming Out Day".
- Project, The Ace and Aro Advocacy (2023-04-21). Ace and Aro Journeys: A Guide to Embracing Your Asexual or Aromantic Identity. Jessica Kingsley Publishers. ISBN 978-1-83997-639-1.
- Filardo-Llamas, Laura; Roldán-García, Alba (July 2025). "Between "Queer" and "Cishet men". Lexical Creativity, Gender Identities and Sexualities in Linguistic Labels in Tumblr". Journal of Language and Discrimination. 9 (1): 1–27. doi:10.3138/jld-2025-0501. ISSN 2397-2637.
- ↑ Lienhard, Alissa (May 2024). ""I'll Call it Platonic Magic": Queer Joy, Metafiction, and Aro-Ace Autofictional Selves in Alice Oseman's Loveless". In Progress: A Graduate Journal of North American Studies. 2 (1): 59–72. doi:10.15488/17355.
- ↑ Sheshadri, Shruti; Chandrasekaran, Agharsh (2024-04-21). "Hopelessly AroAce: An Exploration in the Margins". International Journal of Human Rights Education. 8 (1). ISSN 2691-8633.
- ↑ Leyda, Julia; Seymour, Nicole (2024-09-01). "Aromantic Comedy: The Aro/Ace Aesthetics of Together Together". Camera Obscura: Feminism, Culture, and Media Studies. 39 (2 (116)): 131–162. doi:10.1215/02705346-11207841. ISSN 0270-5346.
- ↑ Antonsen, Amy N.; Zdaniuk, Bozena; Yule, Morag; Brotto, Lori A. (July 2020). "Ace and Aro: Understanding Differences in Romantic Attractions Among Persons Identifying as Asexual". Archives of Sexual Behavior. 49 (5): 1615–1630. doi:10.1007/s10508-019-01600-1. ISSN 0004-0002. PMID 32095971.
- ↑ "Ace/ Aro Spectrum Definitions". OXFORD UNIVERSITY LGBTQ+ SOCIETY. Retrieved 2026-07-11.
- ↑ "i originally sent this to the person ..." Tumblr. Archived from the original on 2025-08-12. Retrieved 2025-08-31.
- ↑ "What You Need To Know About The Aroace Flag". Gayety. 2022-09-03. Retrieved 2026-08-13.
- ↑ "Aroace Flag Meaning: Colors, Hex Codes & Major Variations". 2024-10-02. Retrieved 2026-08-13.
- ↑ "Aromantics & Asexuals - The AroAce Identity". Counseling Schools. Retrieved 2026-07-11.
