Biromantic

A biromantic flag.

**Biromantic**, sometimes shortened **biro**, is a romantic orientation which has various definitions, but can generally be described as the ability to experience romantic attraction to two or more genders. It is also sometimes described as romantic attraction to genders which are both like and unlike one's own.

Biromanticism is a very broad identity which can be experienced in many ways. Some biromantic people may only be romantically attracted to two genders, while others may be romantically attracted to several genders, all genders, or regardless of gender. Biromantic people also may or may not have preferences for certain genders over others. Biromantic people may sometimes be romantically attracted to certain genders at different times, and in different ways, commonly referred to as a bi-cycle.

Biromanticism is sometimes used as an umbrella term for all romantic orientations which involve attraction towards multiple genders. When used this way, terms such as "bi+" or "the bi-umbrella" may be used. However, many people prefer not to be grouped under the biromantic label, and may instead prefer umbrella terms such as pluralian, m-spec, or multiromantic, among other terms. Some also may not want to be grouped under an umbrella term at all.

## Etymology

"Biromantic" is derived from the prefix *bi-*, meaning "two," and "romantic," denoting romantic attraction.

## Distinction

### Panromantic

***Main article:*** *Panromantic*

Panromantic is a romantic orientation in which one experiences romantic attraction to all genders, and typically regardless of gender. This definition overlaps with biromanticism, but is more specific than the biromantic label. A biromantic person may or may not experience attraction to all genders, whereas attraction to all genders is inherent to panromanticism. In other words, biromanticism is more broad, and may encompass people who experience romantic attraction to multiple (but not all) genders, whereas panromanticism does not. Some people identify with the biromantic and panromantic labels simultaneously, while others identify with only one.

### Multiromantic

***Main article:** Multiromantic*

Multiromantic is an umbrella term for romantic orientations involving romantic attraction to more than one gender. It is also sometimes used as a standalone identity. While multiromanticism and biromanticism can both be defined loosely as "romantic attraction to more than one gender," multiromanticism is typically used as an umbrella term, whereas biromanticism is more often regarded as its own specific identity (though it may be used as an umbrella term as well).

### Polyromantic

***Main article:*** *Polyromantic*

Polyromantic is a romantic orientation in which one experiences romantic attraction to multiple (but not necessarily all) genders. This definition overlaps with biromanticism, but is more specific than the biromantic label. Biromanticism is more broad, and may encompass people who experience attraction to all genders, whereas polyromanticism usually does not. Some people identify with the biromantic and polyromantic labels simultaneously, while others identify with only one.

### Omniromantic

***Main article:*** *Omniromantic*

Omniromantic is a romantic orientation in which one experiences romantic attraction to all genders, often with gender playing a role in one's attraction, rather than lacking preferences or gender-differentiation. This definition overlaps with biromanticism, but is more specific than the biromantic label. A biromantic person may or may not experience attraction to all genders, whereas attraction to all genders is inherent to omniromanticism. In other words, biromanticism is more broad, and may encompass people who experience attraction to multiple (but not all) genders, whereas omniromanticism does not. Some people identify with the biromantic and omniromantic labels simultaneously, while others identify with only one.

### Bisexual

***Main article:*** *Bisexual*

Bisexual is a sexual orientation which has various definitions, but can generally be described as the ability to experience attraction to two or more genders. It is also sometimes described as attraction to genders which are both like and unlike one's own. Bisexuality is also commonly described as "attraction to both genders" (men and women). This description, however, is sometimes reductive, as it can imply a binary which is not always applicable to bisexuality.

While bisexuality is often used to denote both sexual *and* romantic attraction, it is also sometimes used to specifically refer to sexual attraction. Biromanticism, on the other hand, specifically refers to romantic attraction, and does not refer to sexual attraction whatsoever. Biromantic people may or may not be bisexual, and may instead be asexual, heterosexual, or any other sexual orientation. Those who are not both bisexual and biromantic may identify as varioriented.

## Flag

The bisexual flag was proposed by Michael Page on December 5, 1998, with the intention of increasing bisexual visibility via a unique and recognizable flag, similar to Gilbert Baker's rainbow pride flags. Page took inspiration from the biangles, another symbol of bisexual pride, when deciding which colors to use. The first stripe is magenta, and represents gay attraction. The bottom stripe is royal blue, representing straight attraction. The smaller lavender stripe in the center represents the overlap of these experiences. The lavender stripe represents how bisexual people blend into both gay and straight communities. The biromantic version of this flag is more pale than the bisexual flag, aside from a heart in the center, which has the same colors as the original flag. Another biromantic version of this flag simply has a heart in the top left corner.

The five stripe biromantic flag was designed by an anonymous creator on October 24, 2020. Each stripe has its own individual meaning: The medium purple stripe represents attraction to two or more genders. The light purple stripe represents varioriented biromantic people. The white stripe represents transgender, nonbinary, non-cisgender, and intersex biromantic people. The orange stripe represents people who are both bisexual and biromantic (perioriented). The dark blue stripe represents aroace biromantic people (such as angled aroaces).

Another biromantic flag was uploaded to the LGBTA Fandom Wiki (now the LGBTQIA+ Wiki on Miraheze) by Fandom user CallieCat030 on March 21, 2021. The meaning behind the design was left unspecified. The pink, lavender, and blue stripes mimic the stripes of the original bisexual flag. The black heart likely represents romantic attraction, due to the presence of hearts in previous biromantic flags. The meaning behind the white stripes is unclear.

## Symbol

The biangles symbol was designed by Liz Nania in 1987. The design incorporates a reclaimed pink triangle, historically used by Nazis to mark gay men during World War II. A blue triangle overlaps the pink triangle, representing the gender binary. In the center where the triangles meet, a deep purple symbolizes inclusivity. The use of the pink triangle is somewhat controversial due to its history.

    The double moon symbol was designed by Vivian Wagner in 1998 as an alternative to the biangles symbol, due to the controversy surrounding the pink triangle. A gradient of pink and blue, with lavender created where the colors meet, represents bisexuality. The symbol is particularly popular in Germany. It is unclear why moons were chosen for the symbol, but it is possible that it represents sexual fluidity, similar to moon phases. The moon may not always appear the same, but it is always the moon. Thus, bisexuality (and biromanticism) may be experienced in many ways, but is still bisexuality/biromanticism nonetheless.

    The interlocking bi symbols emerged at an unknown date, and cannot be traced back to a specific individual. However, they incorporate symbols which are already commonly used: the Venus symbol (♀), Mars symbol (♂), and, in some cases, the infinity symbol (∞). The Venus symbol represents attraction to womanhood and/or femininity, while the Mars symbol represents attraction to manhood and/or masculinity. Venus and Mars interlock with a center symbol, commonly a ring (or another gender symbol), which represents the person experiencing the attraction. Venus and Mars also often connect to form an infinity symbol, which may represent fluidity, vastness, completeness, or similar concepts. The symbols may be one solid color, or may incorporate several colors, often in a gradient of pink, lavender, and blue.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Sotska, Julia (2022-12-19). Biromantic - What is it? What does it mean?. Taimi. Archived from the original on March 28, 2023.
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Laderer, Ashley (2021-09-24). Being biromantic and bisexual aren't the same — here's what it means to be biromantic. Insider. Archived from the original on January 23, 2024.
3. ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 PFLAG National Glossary of Terms. PFLAG. Archived from the original on October 14, 2022.
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Hardell, Ash. *The ABC's of LGBT+*. Mango Media Inc., 2016. ISBN 9781633534087.
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Biromantic Definition & Meaning. Dictionary.com. Archived from the original on November 9, 2022.
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Full Dictionary. Western Aces. Archived from the original on July 2, 2023.
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 Terms to Know. Out Front Theatre Company. Archived from the original on September 29, 2023.
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 WebMD Editorial Contributors. What Does Biromantic Mean?. WebMD. Archived from the original on May 13, 2023.
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 What is Bisexuality?. bisexual resource center (2021). Archived from the original on October 14, 2022.
10. ↑ List of LGBTQ+ terms. Stonewall. Archived from the original on November 17, 2021.
11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 'LGBTI' People and Communities. LGBTIQ+ Health Australia (2019-06-28). Archived from the original on April 20, 2021.
12. ↑ Pluralian Positivity (2016-10-06). Pluralian. tumblr. Archived from the original on January 20, 2022.
13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 What does "m-spec" mean?. Bi Pan Library. Archived from the original on June 4, 2023.
14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 Sotska, Julia (2022-01-19). Multisexual - What is it? What does it mean?. Taimi. Archived from the original on August 1, 2023.
15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 Multisexual Youth Mental Health: Risk and Protective Factors for Bisexual, Pansexual, and Queer Youth Who are Attracted to More than One Gender. The Trevor Project (2021-04-23). Archived from the original on June 2, 2023.
16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Identity Vocabulary: Multisexual Edition. The Center for Sexuality and Gender Diversity (2019-07-06). Archived from the original on June 3, 2023.
17. ↑ Abbie E. Goldberg; Melissa H. Manley; Themal; Ross, Lori Ellawala. *Sexuality and sexual identity across the first year of parenthood among male-partnered plurisexual women*. 6, Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity, 2019-03. ISSN 2329-0390. "Plurisexual is an umbrella term that encompasses individuals who experience attractions to people of multiple genders, and who may self-identify as queer, pansexual, fluid, bisexual, or something else"
18. ↑ Allison E. Cipriano; Daniel Nguyen; Kathryn J. Holland. *"Bisexuality Isn't Exclusionary": A Qualitative Examination of Bisexual Definitions and Gender Inclusivity Concerns among Plurisexual Women*. 4, Journal of Bisexuality, 2022-10-02. ISSN 1529-9716.
19. ↑ WebMD Editorial Contributors (2021-06-28). What Is Bisexual?. WebMD. Archived from the original on October 14, 2022.
20. ↑ Sotska, Julia (2022-12-19). Polysexual - What is it? What does it mean?. Taimi. Archived from the original on March 25, 2023.
21. ↑ What is polysexuality?. Feeld (2020-01-03). Archived from the original on June 7, 2023.
22. ↑ Terms & Definitions. Amherst College. Archived from the original on September 15, 2022.
23. ↑ perioriented and varioriented (17-02-2014). Archived from the original on October 14, 2022.
24. ↑ Ferguson, Sian (01-07-2016). Here’s What It Means When Your Romantic and Sexual Orientations Are Different (English). everydayfeminism. Archived from the original on October 14, 2022.
25. ↑ Attraction and Relationship Terms. AUREA. Archived from the original on October 14, 2022.
26. ↑ Page, Michael. The History of the Bi Pride Flag. Archived from the original on August 1, 2001.
27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 Wilber, Jennifer (2022-06-29). Show Your True Colors: A Guide to Bi Pride Symbols. Owlcation. Archived from the original on October 14, 2022.
28. ↑ Biromantic. DeviantArt (2016-05-09). Archived from the original on November 14, 2022.
29. ↑ Pride-Flags (2016-04-25). Biromantic Pride Flag (1). DeviantArt. Archived from the original on September 12, 2022.
30. ↑ AkoiFish (2020-10-24). Biromantic. LGBTQIA+ Wiki. Archived from the original on August 2, 2023.
31. ↑ CallieCat030 (2021-03-21). File:Alternate Biromantic Flag.png. LGBTQIA+ Wiki. Archived from the original on August 2, 2023.
32. ↑ CallieCat030 (2021-03-21). Biromantic. LGBTQIA+ Wiki. Archived from the original on August 2, 2023.
33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 33.2 Gayety Team (2022-08-02). All About The Bisexual Symbol: Meaning And Origins. gayety. Archived from the original on October 14, 2022.
34. ↑ Jordahn, Sebastian (2019-10-23). Queer x Design highlights 50 years of LGBTQ+ graphic design. dezeen. Archived from the original on October 14, 2022.
35. ↑ Whitehead-link-alternative-sexuality-symbol. Wikimedia Commons (2010-10-07). Archived from the original on October 14, 2022.