Achillean, also known as men-loving men (MLM), apollian, chaeronean, and chaeronic, refers to a man or man-aligned person who is attracted to other men or man-aligned people. One may or may not be attracted to other genders as well. This attraction does not need to be exclusive, as the label is used in a way to unify under an umbrella all men who love other men, including gay (vincian or uranian) men, bisexual men, pansexual men, queer men, and other m-spec men, promoting solidarity among all of these identities.
In addition to being used as an individual identity, the term can also be used as a modifier combined with other identities to specify that one prioritizes their attraction to and relationships with other men, as an identity for people who know they are attracted to men but may be uncertain if they are attracted to other genders, and as a descriptor for a relationship between two men.
The feminine counterpart to achillean is sapphic. The non-binary counterparts are diamoric and enbian.
Etymology
The word achillean comes from the name of the hero in the Iliad, Achilles, who was romantically involved with another man, Patroclus.
History
The word achillean has historically been used to describe things relating to the mythological figure Achilles. The first instance of achillean being used in the context of men attracted to men is in 1959 in A.C. Hamilton's scholarly article titled "Spenser's Treatment of Myth":
Guyon subdues these Achillean affections through his own power; but they break out again as Cymochles lapses into lust and Pyrochles burns in the idle lake.[1]
This usage predates the reclamation of the word "gay," previously only a derogatory term for homosexual men, as a synonym for self-identified and proud homosexual by the Gay Liberation Front by ten years.[2]
The resurgence of achillean is likely due to the the internet, specifically a post by Tumblr user asculan on June 13, 2016.[3]
Flag
The original achillean flag was created by either by Tumblr user pridenpositivity in 2017.[4] The flag was redesigned by DeviantArt user Pride-Flags on October 5, 2016,[5], which is widely accepted as the current achillean flag.
Both flags have two blue stripes on the top and bottom representing men. In the center is a green carnation. In ancient Rome and 19th century England, green indicated gay affiliations. Victorian men would often pin a green carnation on their lapel, as popularized by author Oscar Wilde. In general, the achillean flag represents joy.
A commonly used alternate flag, with a darker blue stripe and a green stripe with the same symbolism, was created by Reddit user Pacack on September 6, 2019.[6] In general, the achillean flag has been redesigned or tweaked at least fifteen times since its creation.[7]
Gallery
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The original achillean flag.
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An alternate achillean flag.
References
- ↑ Wiktionary entry for achillean (quotation under definition four of achillean (adjective)).
- ↑ Wikipedia entry on the year 1969 in gay liberation history.
- ↑ Archived Tumblr post on new MLM terms.
- ↑ Archived Tumblr post announcing the achillean flag.
- ↑ DeviantArt post with the current achillean flag.
- ↑ Reddit post on an alternate achillean flag.
- ↑ "MLM Flags!" Carrd entry on achillean flag variations.