Nonsexual attraction

**Nonsexual attraction**, also sometimes referred to as **emotional attraction**, is an umbrella term for any form of attraction which is not sexual. There are many types of nonsexual attraction, which can generally be grouped into two categories: romantic attraction and tertiary attraction.

Some people experience all forms of nonsexual attraction, while others experience only a few, only one, or none at all. Some people experience different forms of attraction in different ways; these people may identify as varioriented. Other people experience all forms of attraction, or their primary forms of attraction, in the same way; these people may identify as perioriented. Nonsexual attraction may or may not be experienced alongside sexual attraction. The nonsexual attraction (or lack thereof) that a person experiences is typically the primary factor in one's nonsexual orientation.

## Under the umbrella

As mentioned previously, there are many types of nonsexual attraction. While these forms of attraction can often be simplified into romantic and tertiary, there are many more terms that exist to describe different forms of attraction. This is not a concrete list, and terms may be added when necessary.

### Physical attraction

These forms of attraction focus on physical aspects of a person, or the physical ways in which one wants to engage with that person. These forms of attraction may or may not accompany ecstatic attraction, relationships, and/or activities.

* Some forms of tertiary attraction
	+ Aesthetic attraction
	+ Sensual attraction

### Ecstatic attraction

These forms of attraction do not focus on physical aspects of a person, and instead center more heavily around a desire for emotional closeness with someone, mental and spiritual bonding, relationship building, and similar experiences. These forms of attraction may or may not accompany physical attraction, relationships, and/or activities.

* Romantic attraction
* Some forms of tertiary attraction
	+ Alterous attraction
	+ Amical attraction
	+ Domestic attraction
	+ Mental attraction
	+ Nebulous Attraction
	+ Platonic attraction
	+ Queerplatonic attraction
	+ Social attraction
	+ Spiritual attraction

## Distinction

### Ecstatic attraction

**Ecstatic attraction** is an umbrella term for forms of attraction which do not focus on physical aspects of a person, and instead center more heavily around a desire for emotional closeness with someone, mental and spiritual bonding, relationship building, and similar experiences. Ecstatic attraction excludes sexual attraction, in addition to all physical forms of tertiary attraction, whereas nonsexual attraction only excludes sexual attraction specifically. Physical forms of tertiary attraction are included under the nonsexual attraction umbrella.

### Nonsexual activity stance

**Nonsexual activity stance** is the personal stance a person takes on nonsexual activity and nonsexual relationships. This is also sometimes referred to as desire, though the term "desire" can also be interchangeable with "libido", which is not necessarily related to nonsexual activity stance. People may have an activity stance often associated with attraction despite not experiencing that form of attraction. For example, one may be interested in romantic relationships, or have a general desire for romance, without experiencing romantic attraction to anyone in particular. The opposite can also be true; one may experience romantic attraction without wanting to be in a romantic relationship.

## Notes

1. ↑ Emotional attraction also sometimes refers to romantic and/or ecstatic attraction.

## References

1. ↑ PFLAG National Glossary of Terms (English). PFLAG. Archived from the original on January 25, 2022.