Phanian, also known as ILI (intersex-loving-intersex), refers to an intersex person attracted to intersex people, primarily or exclusively, an intercentered relationship (between intersex people), or intersex individuals who celebrate intersex love.[1] One may or may not be attracted to other sexes as well.
The term can be used as a modifier combined with other identities to specify that one prioritizes their attraction to and relationships with other intersex individuals.
Intersex people may primarily or exclusively prefer to be in relationships with other intersex people due to fear of or experiences with intersexism, one example would be past experience with a dyadic partner fetishizing their intersex variation.
They may also simply want to be with others who understand their experiences without having to "come out" or divulge their medical history, which can be traumatic for many intersex individuals.
Flag and History
ILI and its flag were first coined on May 31st, 2018 by Tumblr user beyond-mogai-pride-flags.[1]
The term Phanian was first coined and used for ILI on June 27th, 2018 by an anonymous user.[2]
Its meaning was not given by the coiner, but it could be related to Phania, a genus of plants in the boneset tribe within the Sunflower family, or Phanias of Eresus, a Greek philosopher from Lesbos, as Gender-Loving-Gender terms and flags often use Greek terminology and plant imagery (as seen with Achillean and Sapphic).