What Does Biromantic Mean?

Medically Reviewed by Gabriela Pichardo, MD on July 02, 2023
Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors
2 min read

Biromanticism is when a person is romantically attracted to people of two specific and distinct gender identities.

Individuals who identify as biromantic aren't necessarily sexually attracted to the same people they’re romantically attracted to. Some biromantic people might identify as biromantic asexual, bisexual, heterosexual, homosexual, or pansexual.

Pansexuality is the attraction to all people regardless of gender, while bisexuality is the attraction to your own gender and at least one person of another gender. For example, if a cisgender woman is attracted to other women as well as at least one person of another gender, they might identify as bisexual.

People who are biromantic may or may not be sexually attracted to one or both the people they have romantic feelings for. They may even identify as biromantic asexual -- someone who is not sexually attracted to anyone but is romantically attracted to males and females. A person can identify as both biromantic and bisexual, the difference being that one term applies to their romantic feelings and the other their sexual feelings.  

Biromantic means having the capacity to be romantically attracted to people from more than one gender group. Panromantic means being romantically attracted to people of all genders.

The prefix “bi-” means “two." This may have been the origin of the word, but biromanticism is about being romantically interested in genders like yours and genders different from yours.

Biromantic individuals can be of any race, ethnicity, religion, gender, etc. 

A person who is biromantic may be in a relationship with someone of either of the genders they are romantically attracted to. Relationships or partnerships of a person who is biromantic are usually no different than a "traditional" relationship (a relationship between two cisgender, heterosexual people of opposite sexes). 

If the individual who is biromantic is also polyamorous, they may be in a relationship with more than one person at a time. Their relationships may be romantic or sexual in nature (or both). Polyamory is a form of consensual non-monogamy that emphasizes emotional and sexual intimacy with multiple partners simultaneously, ideally with the knowledge of all parties involved.

Members of the LGBTQ+ community may face discrimination due to stigma. They may experience harassment, family disapproval, social rejection, or even violence. Young individuals who are LGBTQ+ are at an increased risk for certain health issues. 

Safety and security is an issue for people who are biromantic and LGBTQ+. Inclusion and support from educators, family members, and peers are crucial.

You don't have to come out as biromantic, but it may help you feel like you're living an honest and authentic life. 

When talking to your loved ones, you can explain biromanticism as a romantic attraction to people of two different genders rather than just the opposite sex. If it helps, you can also compare biromanticism to bisexuality.