Queerplatonic relationship, also called a quasiplatonic relationship, quirkyplatonic relationship, or qplatonic relationship (abbreviated QPR) , is an umbrella term for any relationship that bends the rules for telling apart romantic relationships from non-romantic relationships.[1]
In some societies, hard lines are drawn between appropriate behavior for a romance vs. a friendship. For example, cultural norms might say that romantic partners are more physically affectionate or more emotionally close than friends are, as well as more likely to partner in major life activities such as buying a house or raising a child together.
Many people consider a queerplatonic relationship as being between people that have platonic (or simply non-romantic) attraction towards each other while desiring a relationship with the commitment level of a romantic relationship, although this meaning isn't true for all. Wherever the lines are blurred between platonic and romantic, that relationship can be called queerplatonic. For example, queerplatonic relationships can include friendships and ambiguously-romantic relationships that go beyond friendship norms in emotional intensity, physical affection, or other areas. Some queerplatonic partners also live together or get married. Queerplatonic relationships can look different for everyone, depending on what the people involved are comfortable with.
A queerplatonic relationship can be monogamous or polyamorous, involving more than two people. Pursuing a queerplatonic relationship is not necessarily mutually exclusive with pursuing romantic relationships, and the term is not restricted to any identity category.
Terms
People in queerplatonic relationships might refer to each other as their queerplatonic partner (QPP) or 'zucchini'; a term that was originally a joke in the a-spec community about lacking a word to properly describe the term, so they could just use any word they want, like zucchini.
Someone who does not experience queerplatonic attraction and/or does not desire queerplatonic relationships may call themself “aqueerplatonic” or just “aplatonic”.
A queerplatonic crush can be called a "plush" or a “squish”.
Attraction in Queerplatonic Relationships
Queerplatonic attraction, while associated with queerplatonic relationshps, is not a requirement for a QPR, and QPR's aren't exclusively for people who experience queerplatonic attraction. Some aqueerplatonic people may still want or have queerplatonic relationships. They just do not get "plushes". (Other aqueerplatonic people might not desire a queerplatonic relationship.) They may also identify as nonamorous.
History
The term queerplatonic originated among asexuals to describe an ambiguous category outside the strict boxes of romance and friendship.[2] The term was first used by Meloukhia in the comment section of a 2010 Dreamwidth post.[3] In 2011, Meloukhia, also known as S. E. Smith, introduced the term on Tumblr.[4]
Symbolism
Currently, there is no consensus on queerplatonic symbolism. At least four different flag designs have been proposed for queerplatonic.[5] Most of these flags use the colors yellow and pink. Yellow is commonly used to symbolize platonic relationships. Pink is possibly use because it's a light form of red- with is commonly used to represent romantic attraction, showing that queerplatonic relationships can sometimes resemble romantic relationship, but are also their own thing entirely.
QPR Day
In May 2020, Tumblr users aro-ace-trashcan and dragonheartetk introduced QPR Day, held on the third Saturday of July, as the celebration of queerplatonic relationships similar in style to Valentine's Day. July 18th, 2020 marked the first occurrence of QPR Day.