Polyaffectionate

Polyaffection is having or wanting a non-romantic intimate relationship with more than one person at once. It is an alternative to polyamory that is used most often by aromantics and aro-specs. Polyaffectionate can be used both as a description of a non-romantic intimate relationship with more than two people and as description of people who desire such relationships. Polyaffectionate relationships are based on tertiary attractions, such as intimate platonic, queerplatonic, and alterous relationships. Polyaffectionate people can have any orientation, however many are aromantic.

Polyaffectionate is not an orientation on its own, but an identity describing how one can experience attraction. The word can also be a way of recognising all forms of intimacy that exist in one's life, within or outside of partnerships. Polyaffectionates who use the term in this way might consider their friends and family, as well as (or instead of) any partners, as being intimate relationships covered under their polyaffection.

History
Polyaffectionate was coined within the aromantic community at an unknown point, however it has been around since 2017. The term developed as an alternative to polyamorous due to its strong association with desiring multiple romantic relationships and discomfort with the "amorous" label.

Flag
The flag was designed by Tumblr user aromanticpolyamory on February 27th of 2017. It is a mixture of the polyamorous, queerplatonic, and aromantic flags.

Resources
[[Category:]]