Romantic orientation is a romantic parallel to sexual orientation, describing a general pattern of romantic attraction, interest, or desire. For example, aromantic is a type of romantic orientation label.
The concept of romantic orientation is commonly used within the aromantic and asexual communities, both by those on the aromantic spectrum and by alloromantics.
History[]
Although not well-known, models similar to "romantic orientation" have been proposed multiple times by different people over the past century and beyond. Here are a few documented examples:
In 1864, Karl Heinrich Ulrichs, a German sexologist, theorized two separate components to sex drive: "tender" and "sensual," essentially making an emotional/physical separation that allowed him to specify types of bisexuality.[1] [2]
In 1959, the American Bar Association made references to legislation concerning discrimination on the basis of "sexual or affectional orientation."[3]
In 1977, sexologists Michael G. Shively and John P. De Cecco published a paper that separated sexual orientation into the components of "physical preference" and "affectional preference."[4][5]
In 1989, researcher and educator Joel W. Wells used the phrase "sexual and affectional orientation." [6]
In the early 2000s, members of online asexual groups began using terms such as romantic attraction,[7] romantic orientation,[8] and aromantic.[9][10]
References[]
- ↑ Kennedy, H. (1997). "Karl Heinrich Ulrichs First Theorist of Homosexuality." Science and homosexualities, 26.
- ↑ Brooks, R. (2010). [https://academic.oup.com/jhmas/article-abstract/67/2/177/799715 "Transforming Sexuality: The Medical Sources of Karl Heinrich Ulrichs (1825–95) and the Origins of the Theory of Bisexuality."] Journal of the history of medicine and allied sciences, 67(2), 177-216.
- ↑ Section of Individual Rights and Responsibilities Newsletter, Volumes 1-5, p. 10
- ↑ Shively, M. G., & De Cecco, J. P. (1977). "Components of sexual identity." Journal of homosexuality, 3(1), 41-48.
- ↑ Models of Sexuality in Shively and De Cecco’s “Components of Sexual Identity” (1977)
- ↑ Wells, J. W. (1989). Teaching about gay lesbian sexual and affectional orientation using explicit films to reduce homophobia. Journal of Humanistic Education and Development, 28, 18-31.
- ↑ AVEN FAQ (2003)
- ↑ AVEN Thread: Relationship Definitions (2005)
- ↑ AVEN thread: How many are...? (2005)
- ↑ AVEN thread: The Aromantic Threads Index - History of the Term "Aromantic" (2012)