Aromanticism is a romantic orientation, describing people who experience little, fluctuating or no romantic attraction. Often confused with asexuality (a lack of, little, or fluctuating sexual attraction), aromanticism describes a distinctly separate aspect of attraction and aromantic (or, informally, ’aro’) people may identify as any sexual orientation or gender identity.
Both asexuality and aromanticism differ from celibacy in that they are an intrinsic part of who someone is, rather than a choice, and both are subject to similar misconceptions, such as that they cannot form close or loving relationships, that they must be lonely or emotionally cold, or that there may be something medically wrong with them.
Aromantic Awareness Spectrum Week has been held annually since 2015 during the first full week after Valentine’s Day, as a way for those in the community and allies to celebrate and raise awareness of their identity.
Resources and networks for students
Students’ Union UCL’s LGBTQ+ Network aims to support lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and/or any other marginalised gender or sexual identities.
Students’ Union UCL’s Trans* Students Network provides an opportunity for students self-defining as Trans* to be part of a community of their peers, providing events, support and resources.
Students’ Union UCL’s Gender Expression Fund provides financial assistance for students to purchase items that will make them more comfortable with their gender presentation.
UCL Student Support and Wellbeing have listed information and support for LGBTQ+ students , including our policy and guidance for those transitioning gender.
UCL’s LGBTQ+ Equality Steering Group is open to all lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer staff and those interested in promoting LGBTQ+ equality at UCL, and also steers the Out@UCL staff social network.
UCL’s Trans Network is for staff and mature and PhD students at UCL who identify as trans (including non-binary, genderqueer and all’other identities not identical with the gender assigned at birth).
The LGBTQ+ STEM network is for members of the LGBTQ+ community allies working in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) discipline.
- University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT (0) 20 7679 2000
