#semiship

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Queerplatonic: a term for a relationship that bends the rules for telling apart romantic relationships from non-romantic relationships. It typically goes beyond what is considered normal or socially acceptable for a platonic relationship but is not romantic in nature or does not fully fit the traditional idea of a romantic relationship.

Iodic: a term for aromantic and other a-spec people that can be used to describe their ideal relationship. an iodic person’s ideal relationship would be more emotionally involved than what’s typically associated with friendship in western society, and would have a similar level of closeness to what is typically associated with romance.

Callistic: a term for aromantic and other a-spec people that can be used to describe their ideal relationship. callistic describes a-spec people who do not want a queerplatonic relationship, close friendship, or anything similar.

Europic: a term for aromantic and other a-spec people that can be used to describe their ideal relationship. a europic person is somewhere inbetween callistic and iodic. their ideal relationship would be more emotionally involved than what’s typically associated with friendship in western society, but they do not want to completely committed to their partner.

Appromour: a type of relationship which is not quite a queerplatonic relationship but also not quite romantic. people in an appromour may desire or be comfortable expressing and performing a number of typically romantic activities, and they may live together or get married. it may look like and may be very close to a romantic relationship but is still decidedly not romantic.

Queeragamic: a term for a deep, emotional connection that transcends common conceptions of friendships and their importance but does not involve sexual acts.

Passionate Friendship: a nonsexual, nonromantic, emotionally and physically intimate relationship between friends. this friendship serves as a primary relationship, so if the people involved create a hierarchy of relationships in their lives, the passionate friendship is either their most important relationship or one of their most important relationships, entirely equal to the other most important. it can also be a relationship where it is unclear whether the feelings are “romantic” or “nonromantic” for one or more of the people involved.

Companionate: where one does not wish to have a romantic or sexual relationship but still wants a deep relationship with someone.

Wavership: a form of relationship where the exact type of relationship changes. for example, one day the relationship might be romantic, the next day it might be queerplatonic, a platonic bond another, and a soft romo relationship another day. wavership can also be used when the exact nature of a relationship isn't known by the people in the relationship, but they know it's a partnership of some kind.

Semiship: a term for relationship that is in a “gray area” of relationships. a semiship is a relationship that isn’t as committed or “deep” as relationships are expected to be, by the preference of those involved.

Softromo: a term used by a-spec communities to describe a relationship that is a "low level romantic relationship". it is typically somewhere in between a romantic relationship and queerplatonic relationship, with the parties having some amount of romantic feelings and/or romantic actions, but not fully, as seen in "normal" romantic relationships.

Semiship: kind of like a "gray area" relationship, a semiship is a relationship that isn’t as committed or "deep" as relationships are expected to be, by preference of those involved. For example, someone could prefer to remain in the casual flirting stage of a sensual relationship, and only occasionally and lightly exchange sensual actions without investment of a serious sensual relationship, for orientation, lifestyle, and other personal reasons. Waverships may fluctuate into the semiship area, as well, and "soft romo" relationships are usually semiships. Can also be useful to describe relationships between two members of a polyamorous or group relationship who aren't dating but still romantically interacting occasionally. You can also be both in a full relationship and a semiship with someone in different ways, like having a full queerplatonic relationship and a physical semiship at the same time, only having a semi-sexual relationship but a typical committed queerplatonic relationship.

For clarification, this is a relationship type that should always involve the consent and understanding of all parties involved, just like all relationships. It is NOT a desciptor or excuse for abusive behavior or unhealthy relationships- if you want a semiship or only feel semi-into any given relationship, tell your partner. It can really suck if you don't, especially if you end up committing way more than you're comfortable with. You'll both get hurt. Normalize semiships! Normalize preferring semiships! Relationships are a varied spectrum, and healthy understanding and expressing of your own relationship preferences is okay. You're not shallow or heartless for wanting semiships, even if you want semiships exclusively.

This term is usable by everyone, but was coined with aro/ace/aspecs in mind, particularly gray-a orientations (like cupio-, fray-, and desino-), as well as fluitic, non-monoamorous, and neurodivergent folks.