Romance-Favorable is a term that describes an individual who is favorable towards or enjoys romantic activities.[1] One may be fine hearing about romance, but not want to be in a romantic relationship, or one may want to be in a romantic relationship, regardless of whether they feel romantic attraction to anyone or not.[2][3]

Romance-favorable flag

This term is often used by those on the aromantic spectrum, but it is not exclusive to them.[4]

History

It is unknown when the term "romance-favorable" was coined, but it has been used within the aromantic community for years. The idea of interaction stances were coined and given proper definitions by Reddit user AnonymousHermitCrab on the r/asexuality subreddit.[5]

Flags & Symbols

 
Romance-favorable flag by Beyond MOGAI Pride Flags

The romance-favorable flag was created by Tumblr user Beyond MOGAI Pride Flags on January 15, 2018. However, it is also labeled as the romance-positive flag. There is no known meaning behind the flag.[4]

Another romance-favorable flag was created by Reddit user That_Enby_Zev, inspired by the interaction stances expansions by Tumblr user chaoscoining.[6]

Community

Perceptions and Discrimination

Romance-favorable is often mistaken for romance-positive, but they are not the same thing. Romance-positive is a political view while romance-favorable is described one's personal relationship with romance.[2]

Romance-favorable aromantic individuals are often othered from aromantic spaces, or assumed to be "less aromantic" because of it.[7]

Subterms

Label Flag Description Coiner
Romance-Piqued  [6] When one is favorable towards romantic interaction due to trauma recovery, mania or other causes. AnonymousHermitCrab
Label Relationship Description
Friendship-Favorable Counterpart When one is favorable towards or enjoys platonic interaction.
Romance-Ambivalent Counterpart When one has mixed or complicated feelings regarding sexual romantic interaction.
Romance-Averse Opposite When one is repulsed by romantic interaction involving themselves.
Romance-Desired Similar When one actively desires romantic interaction.
Romance-Drained Opposite When one is repulsed by romantic interaction due to trauma or exhaustion.
Romance-Indifferent Counterpart When one is indifferent towards romantic interaction.
Romance-Oscillating Counterpart When one's feelings towards romantic interaction change and/or fluctuate over time.
Romance-Repulsed Opposite When one is repulsed by romantic interaction.
Sex-Favorable Counterpart When one is favorable towards or enjoys sexual interaction.
Touch-Favorable Counterpart When one is favorable towards or enjoys sensual interaction.

Sources

  1. Terry. “Romance Favorable / Romance Indifferent Aro.” Pinterest, 31 Dec. 2022, www.pinterest.com/pin/583005114281296740/. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.
  2. 2.0 2.1 person. “Romantic Favorable or Romantic Indifferent.” Asexual Visibility and Education Network, 8 Jan. 2022, www.asexuality.org/en/topic/222282-romantic-favorable-or-romantic-indifferent/. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.
  3. Expert_Elk_5431. “Reddit - Dive into Anything.” Reddit.com, 2021, www.reddit.com/r/aromantic/comments/mqa3iu/what_is_a_romancefavorable_aromantic. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.
  4. 4.0 4.1 beyond-mogai-pride-flags. “Sex and Romance Positive/Favorable Pride Flags.” Tumblr, 15 Jan. 2018, beyond-mogai-pride-flags.tumblr.com/post/169725540390/sex-and-romance-positivefavorable-pride-flags.
  5. AnonymousHermitCrab. “Coining/Recoining Interaction Stance Terms.” Reddit, 27 Apr. 2022, www.reddit.com/r/asexuality/comments/ucy0kl/coiningrecoining_interaction_stance_terms/.
  6. 6.0 6.1 That_Enby_Zev. “Reddit - Dive into Anything.” Reddit.com, 2023, www.reddit.com/r/QueerVexillology/comments/12ot9ad/romance_stances_flags_remake_stances_flags_remake/#lightbox. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.
  7. aro-aceplace. “♤♡◇♧.” Tumblr, 29 July 2017, aro-aceplace.tumblr.com/post/163543965281/romance-favorable-aros-are-not-an-oxymoron-being. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.