Sexual and romantic identities are diverse and expanding — and we’ve got another term for you to add to your LGBTQ+ vocabulary: biromantic. 

So, what is biromantic? It’s a term that refers to a person who’s romantically attracted to multiple different genders within the broad gender spectrum. For example, if you enjoy connecting romantically with people who identify as men and people who identify as women, this might be the label for you.  

Here's what it all means and how biromanticism stacks up alongside other identities like aromanticism, demiromanticism, and asexuality.  

What does being biromantic mean? 

Biromanticism involves having romantic feelings (meaning a desire to have emotional and affectionate connections) toward multiple genders without necessarily desiring a sexual component. The “bi” in biromantic doesn't box you into just two options, though. Biromantic people may feel attraction toward various genders, such as cisgender men and women, transgender individuals, and nonbinary folks.

As society continues to place more importance on gender diversity, our understanding of biromanticism has grown. Recognizing biromanticism and other romantic and sexual identities is a sign of the times, and there's certainly no one-size-fits-all approach to defining your identity.  

Is biromantic a sexuality?  

Biromanticism isn’t a sexuality because who you fall for romantically can be different from who you're attracted to sexually.

While romantic attraction is the desire to be emotionally connected with someone, sexual attraction is a more specific desire for physical and sexual engagement with a person. In some cases, a biromantic person might have romantic feelings toward more than one gender without experiencing sexual attraction toward all of those same gender identities. 

For example, some people identify as biromantic asexual, which means they're into getting romantic but not sexual with different genders. Others may identify as biromantic demisexual, which means they may only feel sexually attracted to someone after forming a deep emotional connection. Some biromantic folks also identify as bisexual or pansexual, meaning they can develop romantic and sexual attraction to multiple genders or to anyone at all, regardless of their gender.  

Being biromantic is a big part of many people's overall identity, but it doesn’t change or impact their sexuality.

Main differences between romanticism and related terms

Biromanticism is its own distinct romantic orientation. That said, to fully understand what being biromantic means, it can be helpful to compare it with related orientations like bisexual, aromantic, and demiromantic. Each of these terms describes a unique way of experiencing attraction and forming relationships within the broad spectrum of human connection and sexuality.  

Biromantic versus bisexual 

The key difference between biromanticism and bisexuality is the nature of attraction. Biromantic people experience romantic feelings toward more than one gender, and bisexual people experience sexual feelings toward more than one gender. For biromantic individuals, romantic and emotional feelings don't always translate to sexual attraction, and vice versa for bisexual individuals. 

Biromantic versus aromantic 

While biromantic people may seek romantic relationships and emotional connections with multiple genders, aromantic people don't necessarily experience any romantic or emotional interest at all in any partner. Often, those who experience aromanticism value deep friendships and platonic emotional connections, but romance just isn't part of the equation for them. 

Biromantic versus demiromantic 

Demiromantic individuals develop romantic feelings only after forming a deep emotional connection with someone. In contrast, biromantic individuals can experience romantic attraction without needing a deep emotional bond.

Biromantic versus asexual 

Asexual individuals lack sexual attraction but may desire romantic and emotional intimacy. Some biromantic people also identify as asexual, meaning they experience romantic interest toward two or multiple genders without any accompanying sexual desire, while others can experience a spectrum of sexual attraction. While biromanticism separates emotional and romantic attraction from sexuality, asexuality embodies the absence of sexual attraction.

Biromantic versus homosexual  

While biromantic people are romantically attracted to people of different genders, including their own in some cases, homosexual people are romantically and sexually attracted exclusively to people of the same gender. To put it simply, being gay is being attracted to the same gender, and being biromantic is much broader.  

Is biromantic a sexuality?  

Biromanticism isn’t a sexuality because who you fall for romantically can be different from who you're attracted to sexually.

While romantic attraction is the desire to be emotionally connected with someone, sexual attraction is a more specific desire for physical and sexual engagement with a person. In some cases, a biromantic person might have romantic feelings toward more than one gender without experiencing sexual attraction toward all of those same gender identities. 

For example, some people identify as biromantic asexual, which means they're into getting romantic but not sexual with different genders. Others may identify as biromantic demisexual, which means they may only feel sexually attracted to someone after forming a deep emotional connection. Some biromantic folks also identify as bisexual or pansexual, meaning they can develop romantic and sexual attraction to multiple genders or to anyone at all, regardless of their gender.  

Being biromantic is a big part of many people's overall identity, but it doesn’t change or impact their sexuality.

Coming out as biromantic  

Whether you're biromantic, a first-time lesbian, or any other orientation, coming out is a brave step toward self-acceptance and living authentically. It helps you be true to yourself and invites others to discover and learn more about this vital part of your identity.  

Here are a few helpful tips to guide you through coming out as biromantic: 

• Accept yourself: Before coming out, think about, understand, and accept your biromantic identity. Finding inner clarity is an important part of embracing your authentic self.

• Choose the right time and place: Come out in a safe and comfortable way. This might be in a quiet, private setting with close family or friends or a more public space like social media if that feels right for you. 

• Educate others and share resources: Not everyone understands what being biromantic means, so explain it gently and offer help to people who want to learn more about it. 

• Build a support system: Surround yourself with supportive family, friends, and even online communities of people who respect your romantic orientation. A solid support system offers mental and emotional encouragement while coming out. 

• Be prepared for different reactions: Everyone processes information differently, and while some people will accept your identity immediately, others may need time. Be patient with your family and friends' reactions and prepare yourself for a range of responses. 

Explore your romantic and sexual orientation with Quinn 

The Quinn platform celebrates love and attraction in all its forms, including the complex experiences of biromantic individuals. By offering ethical erotic content catering to various orientations and desires, Quinn always has a story to match your mood, no matter what journey you're on.  

Quinn is an audio erotica app created by women for everyone. To access thousands of narrated sex stories, playlists, and guided masturbation sessions recorded by talented and diverse creators, download the Quinn app for iOS or Android.