Freak of the Week: Aromantics in the Hipster Zone

As you are probably a hateful ignorant bigot, yes you, some definitions first:

People who are aromantic, also known as “aro”, don’t develop romantic attractions for other people. But that doesn’t mean they don’t have feelings. Aromantic people do form strong bonds and have loving relationships that have nothing to do with romance.

Loving but not romantic, got it. It’s not a synonym for asexual though, in fact probably very far from it:

Asexual means you don’t form sexual attractions to others, though you may feel romantic attraction. Some people who are asexual still have sex. Others choose celibacy or abstinence.

The term aromantic has nothing to with sex. It means you don’t get romantically attached to others, though you may develop sexual attractions. People of any sexual orientation can be aromantic.

That clears it up, you want to engage in fornication (or be loving) but without romantic attachment, so that’s a lot of you out there. The very earnest American woman we’re quoting won’t put it like that exactly though.

But a little more from her:

You can also be asexual, aromantic, or both

You can be whatever you like, you can even make up your own designations for yourself, because you are a free individual with no bonds of family past, present, and future, or nation, culture, religion, tradition, anything that might place restrictions on you. And that’s how they want you.

Aromanticism is such a burning fiery hot topic because:

A Melbourne council has raised eyebrows after raising a flag in honour of a niche minority group.

Yarra City Council locals were left confused after a green, white, grey and black striped flag was erected above the city’s town halls this week.

Mayor Gabrielle de Vietri [pictured above] explained on social media the flag was in honour of the city’s Aromantics.

Her Royal Highness the Most Honourable Mayor Gabrielle said:

Wondering what the green, white, grey and black striped flag currently flying at our town halls represents?

Yarra flies the Aromantic flag in recognition of Aromantic Spectrum Awareness Week, acknowledging those whose experience of romance is disconnected from normative societal expectations or who experience no romantic attraction.

Another way to celebrate the wonderful diversity in Yarra and affirm that all are welcome!

These aromantics, and asexuals, and assorted freaks are welcome in Melbourne’s hipster occupied zone, all are welcome there, except those who think aromanticism and its celebration is all nonsense.

Powerful and inclusive stuff.