What Does It Mean to Be Aroace? Your Questions Answered

• Aroace is short for aromantic (aro) asexual (ace).
• Aroace individuals experience little to no romantic and sexual attraction to others, or they may only develop this attraction under certain conditions.
• The most well-known version of the aroace flag includes 5 horizontal stripes: orange, yellow, white, light blue, and dark blue.

What does it mean to be aroace?

Aroace is shorthand for “aromantic asexual.” Aroace individuals typically experience little to no romantic and sexual attraction toward others. Some aroace individuals may experience these types of attraction in a limited or conditional capacity—for instance, an aroace person might have a slight crush on someone but lack the desire to start a romantic relationship. “Aro” is shorthand for aromantic, while “ace” is shorthand for asexual.

Aromanticism is a romantic orientation defined by a lack of romantic attraction. Romantic attraction refers to a person’s desire to do romantic things and be in a romantic relationship with other people (e.g., kissing, holding hands, etc.). Aro individuals tend to lack these desires, or may only have them in certain circumstances. Ultimately, aromanticism exists on a spectrum—there isn’t a “right” or “wrong” way to be aro, and people can identify as aro in different ways, like: Grayromantic: Someone who occasionally experiences romantic attraction, but not frequently. This identity sits on the aromantic spectrum between alloromantic (experiencing romantic attraction) and aromantic (a lack of romantic attraction). Demiromantic: Someone who only experiences romantic attraction for someone once a strong emotional bond exists. Frayromantic: Someone who experiences romantic attraction upon first meeting someone, only for this attraction to dim once a closer friendship develops. Aroflux: Someone who alternates between having and not having romantic attraction.

Asexuality is a sexual orientation defined by a lack of sexual attraction. Sexual attraction relates to a person’s desire to be physically and sexually intimate with another individual (separate from romance). Ace individuals don’t typically experience sexual attraction, or only experience it in a limited or conditional capacity. Like aromanticism, asexuality exists on a spectrum, and includes a wide variety of identities like: Graysexual: Someone who occasionally experiences sexual attraction, but not often. This identity sits on the ace spectrum between asexuality and allosexuality (experiencing sexual attraction). Demisexual: Someone who doesn’t experience sexual attraction until a strong emotional bond is formed. Fraysexual: Someone who experiences sexual attraction upon first meeting someone, only for this attraction to dim once a closer friendship develops. Aceflux: Someone who alternates between having and not having sexual attraction.

Aroace identities can also exist on a spectrum. A person can identify as demiromantic and asexual and still be labeled aroace, just as an aroflux demisexual individual could be. There are many ways in which a person can be aroace—what matters most is choosing a label that makes the most sense to you. Wondering if you could be aromantic, asexual, or demisexual? Check out wikiHow’s Am I Aromantic, Am I Asexual, and Am I Demisexual quizzes.

Aroace Flag

The aroace flag features 5 horizontal stripes in sunset-themed colors. Unlike more well-known sexualities (e.g., bisexuality, pansexuality, etc.), the aroace flag isn’t well-established and there are lots of different variations on the internet. One of the most popular iterations includes 5 sunset-colored horizontal stripes: orange, yellow, white, light blue, and dark blue. The orange stripe is said to stand for community, the yellow represents love and relationships, and the white symbolizes wholeness. The bottom blue stripes don’t have specific meanings assigned to them. Most other variations of the aroace flag feature green and purple themes, since green is associated with the aromantic pride flag and purple is associated with the asexual pride flag.

How to Tell if You’re Aroace

You may be aroace if romantic and sexual experiences don’t appeal to you. Take a look at some of the following statements and see if you vibe with any of them at all. If you do, the aroace label might be a good fit for you: Romantic relationships and hookups aren’t a priority for me. I don’t like hanging around places where people might try and flirt with me (like a party). I don’t care one way or another if I’m single indefinitely. Romantic and sexual relationships carry the same weight to me as platonic relationships. I can’t really relate when my friends talk about sex and romance. If I ever experience romantic or sexual attraction, it’s only for a short period of time. I don’t really love reading or watching content that has a lot of romance or sex.

Navigating Relationships as an Aroace Person

Try out a queerplatonic relationship. Traditional partnerships might not meet your needs as an aroace individual—and that’s totally valid! A queerplatonic relationship is essentially a close, committed friendship that isn’t rooted in romantic or sexual attraction. In queerplatonic relationships, partners can: Support each other Live together Get married Have kids

Mention your preferences at the beginning of the relationship. From the start, let your partner know you’re aroace, and explain what that means for you and your relationships. Together, you can figure out a system that works out for both of you and allows both of your needs to be met.

Approach your sex life on your own terms. Identifying as asexual doesn’t mean that sex and masturbation are completely off the table. Asexuality exists on a spectrum, and if you find physical pleasure to be fulfilling, don’t be afraid to explore intimacy within your comfort level. There isn’t just one way to be aroace!

Lean on your platonic relationships for fulfillment. Some people unfairly assume that aro people have no meaningful relationships in their lives, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Aromantic individuals can have tons of profound bonds with their close friends and family—after all, love comes in all shapes and sizes!