Queerplatonic

Queerplatonic, also called a quasiplatonic, quirkyplatonic, or qplatonic relationship (abbreviated QPR), is a term for an attraction or relationship that bends the rules for telling apart romantic relationships from non-romantic relationships. It typically goes beyond what is considered normal or socially acceptable for a platonic relationship, but is not romantic in nature or does not fully fit the traditional idea of a romantic relationship.

In modern western societies, hard lines are drawn between appropriate behavior for a romantic relationship compared to a friendship. For example, cultural norms say that romantic partners are more physically affectionate and more emotionally close than friends are, as well as being more likely to partner in major life activities such as buying a house or raising a child together. When those lines are blurred, that relationship can be called queerplatonic. QPR are often characterized by having a level of emotional closeness and dedication comparable to that found in a romantic relationship, though the relationship is non-romantic in nature.

For some a QPR could look like a close friendship, for others it may outwardly appear to more closely resemble a romantic relationship. Queerplatonic relationships may involve some forms of physical affection which are normally considered exclusive to romantic or sexual relationships, such as hand-holding, cuddling, kissing, or having sex. Some queerplatonic couples will live together or get (platonically) married. Queerplatonic relationships can look different for everyone, depending on what the people involved are comfortable with.

Queerplatonic relationships are common among A-spec people. However, one does not have to identify as a-spec to be in a queerplatonic relationship. One also does not have to be Queer to be in a queerplatonic relationship. Pursuing a queerplatonic relationship is not necessarily mutually exclusive with pursuing romantic relationships. A queerplatonic relationship can be Monogamous or Polyamorous- involving more than two people.

People in queerplatonic relationships might refer to each other as their queerplatonic partner (QPP), marshmallow/mallowfriend, or as "zucchini", a term that was originally a joke in the a-spec community about lacking a word to properly describe the term, so they could just use any word they want, like zucchini. A queerplatonic crush is most commonly called a Squish (the same as a platonic crush), and is less commonly called a plush or a squash.

Queerplatonic Attraction
Queerplatonic attraction is a form of tertiary attraction experienced mainly, but not exclusively, by A-spec people. It is defined as the desire to be in a queerplatonic relationship with someone in particular. Queerplatonic attraction can be very similar to platonic attraction and alterous attraction. For some people these types of attraction greatly overlap, or they do not make a distinction between them. For others they may feel like there is a clear distinction between these feelings. Among those who do feel a distinction, queerplatonic attraction is often described as being stronger and more intimate than purely platonic attraction. Alterous attraction is the desire for intimacy that is neither platonic nor romantic, queerplatonic can be considered an extension of platonic attraction.

Someone who does not experience queerplatonic attraction and/or does not desire queerplatonic relationships may call themself aqueerplatonic. Queerplatonic attraction is not a requirement for a having or wanting a QPR. Some aqueerplatonic people may still want or have queerplatonic relationship. Others who are aqueerplatonic might not desire a queerplatonic relationship, and may also identify as Nonamorous.

History
The first apparent usage of the term queerplatonic was on December 25, 2010 in a thread called Kaz's Scribblings. The term was made out of a desire to describe an aromantic form of relationships, outside the strict categories of romance and friendship.

On January 22, 2011 the phrase Queerplatonic was posted on Tumblr by Meloukhia, also known as S. E. Smith, where it quickly gained popularity. In May 2014 the term Quasiplatonic relationships was coined for Aros who were uncomfortable with using the term Queer.

On March 30th, 2021, Fandom user GoldenStars14 along with Fandom user Brambleybee came up with the terms "Mallowfriend" and "Marshmallow" to describe queerplatonic partners with a term something other than the terms QPP (Queerplatonic Partner) and Zucchini. Later, on April 9, 2021, GoldenStars14 posted about this on the LGBTA fandom wiki and waited for the other fandom users to respond, most of which who did did so positively, before putting the term onto this page.

Flag
At least four different flag designs have been proposed for queerplatonic. Most of these flags use the colors yellow and pink. Yellow is commonly used to symbolize platonic relationships. Pink is potentially used because it is a light form of red, which is commonly used to represent romantic attraction, showing that queerplatonic relationships can sometimes resemble romantic relationships but that they are different nonetheless.