Alexmoromantic is a romantic orientation on the aromantic spectrum for those who are neurodivergent and experience alexithymia or alexithymic traits. An alexmoromantic individual may find it difficult to understand or describe their romantic orientation due to alexithymia. Alternatively, they might struggle to feel their romantic orientation at all; however, this doesn't necessarily mean it isn't there. The sexual counterpart is alexmosexual.
Examples of alexmoromantic include:
- Feeling one's romantic orientation but being unable to put it into words.
- Not being able to differentiate between one's romantic orientation and one's emotions.
- Not knowing how one feels about romance and romantic attraction in general.
- Experiencing one's romantic orientation as a physical sensation.
- Not being able to tell whether one is experiencing romantic attraction.
The prefix alexmo- can be applied to any form of attraction (eg. alexmoplatonic, alexmosensual, alexmoaesthetic, etc). The term itself can be used on its own or alongside another orientation. The prefix can also be added to one's identity (eg. alexmopanromantic, aro-alexmo, demi-alexmo, etc).
History
The term was coined by Tumblr user synpa-tee on June 18, 2021. The flag was created the same day.[1]
Flag
The alexmoromantic flag has six stripes: a pink stripe, a green stripe, a dark pink stripe, a dark green stripe, and two grey stripes. Grey represents uncertainty, green represents aromanticism, and pink represents love or romance. There is also a black rhombus on the center of the flag. The shape and color represents something unknown.
Etymology
The term alexmoromantic comes from Greek: a- meaning 'not,' léxis meaning 'words,' and thȳmós meaning 'heart' or 'emotions' or 'seat of speech.' This is also where the word alexithymia comes from.