queerplatonic

adjective describing a relationship which is more intense and intimate than is considered common or normal for a “friendship”, but doesn’t fit the traditional s-xual-romantic couple model. it is characterized by a strong bond, love, and emotional commitment, yet is not perceived by those involved as “romantic”. the relationship may or may not have some elements or degree of s-xuality/eroticism at various times, or none – it doesn’t matter, because s-xuality/s-xual exclusivity is not what the relationship is organized around. it’s defined by the intensity and significance of the emotional connection.

the people involved do not have to identify as “queer”, it’s a type of relationship experienced by and available to anybody regardless of their s-xual orientation, romantic orientation, or (non-)monogamy. the people involved in a queerplatonic relationship may consider themselves partners, life-partners, a couple, a triad, or any other term that implies the relationship is meaningful, committed and intimate.

quuerplatonic parters or qps are sometimes referred to as “zucchini”. as in, “he’s my zucchini”. this was originally a joke within the as-xual/aromantic community, underscoring the lack of words in mainstream relationship discourse to signify meaningful relationships that do not follow the standard and expected s-xual/romantic norms, and frustration with the erasure of other kinds of intimacy, which were perceived as equally valuable to the s-xual/romantic model.
the reason that i was uncomfortable with the word ‘girlfriend’ was that i did not want a romantic relationship and the word seemed to imply one: i think what i may have wanted was a queerplatonic relationship.

i never understood why people were so opposed to affection of any kind towards people that are not dating, i think the world would be better if everybody could cuddle and it was not weird (kind of like how it used to be in abe lincoln’s time when it was normal for men to sleep in the same bed together as a strictly platonic thing or like queerplatonic relationships maybe).

they told their friend about queerplatonic partnerships the same day they asked their friend if they could be queerplatonic partners, and they said yes.