Definition & Pronunciation
The phrase concerns romantic orientation, not necessarily sexual attraction. An all-gender romantic person may be asexual, bisexual, pansexual, omnisexual, heterosexual, gay, lesbian, or have another sexual orientation.
All-gender romantic is mainly a descriptive phrase rather than a widely standardized identity label. Depending on how they experience attraction, a person may prefer the more established term panromantic or omniromantic.
Sexopedia Quick Reference
All-Gender Romantic
Also Known As: all gender romantic, all-gender-romantic
Note: Panromantic often emphasizes attraction regardless of gender, while omniromantic may emphasize attraction to all genders with gender remaining meaningful.
Note: Monoromantic describes romantic attraction toward one gender and provides a broad contrast rather than an exact opposite.
Easy Explanation
For example, they may fall in love with a woman, man, nonbinary person, or genderfluid person. Gender does not exclude anyone from becoming a possible romantic interest.
This does not mean they are romantically attracted to everyone. Attraction remains selective and may depend on personality, emotional connection, appearance, values, compatibility, and circumstances.
Grammatical Formation and Usage
- She describes herself as an all-gender romantic.
- An all-gender romantic may develop feelings across the gender spectrum.
It may also function adjectivally:
- all-gender romantic attraction;
- an all-gender romantic orientation;
- all-gender romantic experiences;
- all-gender romantic representation.
Because the phrase is uncommon, it is often helpful to explain its meaning when first using it.
Word Formation
- all-gender, meaning including every gender;
- romantic, referring to romantic attraction, affection, or partnership.
Here, all-gender describes the possible range of attraction. It does not mean that attraction occurs equally toward every gender or toward every person.
All-Gender Romantic and Panromantic
All-gender romantic emphasizes that people of every gender may be included in potential romantic attraction.
The concepts overlap strongly. A person may use all-gender romantic to explain panromanticism in plain language:
- “I am panromantic.”
- “I can experience romantic attraction toward people of all genders.”
Panromantic is usually the more established identity term.
All-Gender Romantic and Omniromantic
All-gender romantic does not explain whether gender influences how attraction feels. It only indicates that all genders may be included.
For example:
- An omniromantic person may experience attraction differently depending on gender.
- An all-gender romantic person may or may not consider gender important.
Someone who wants a more specific label may therefore choose omniromantic or panromantic.
All-Gender Romantic and Multiromantic
All-gender romantic specifically includes all genders.
Every all-gender romantic pattern may broadly be considered multiromantic, but not every multiromantic person experiences attraction toward all genders. A multiromantic person may be attracted to several genders while excluding one or more.
All-Gender Romantic and All-Gender Sexual
All-gender sexual attraction concerns sexual attraction toward all genders and may be described through identities such as pansexual or omnisexual.
A person’s romantic and sexual orientations may differ. Someone may be:
- all-gender romantic and asexual;
- all-gender romantic and bisexual;
- all-gender romantic and heterosexual;
- all-gender romantic and homosexual;
- all-gender romantic and pansexual.
Romantic interest does not automatically reveal sexual desire.
Romantic Attraction
It may involve wanting to:
- date;
- fall in love;
- exchange romantic affection;
- become committed partners;
- share emotional intimacy;
- celebrate a relationship;
- build a future together.
People understand romance differently. Romantic attraction does not automatically require kissing, sex, marriage, cohabitation, or lifelong commitment.
The Split Attraction Model
It can help someone communicate that they experience romantic attraction toward all genders while their sexual attraction follows another pattern.
Examples may include:
- all-gender romantic and asexual;
- all-gender romantic and bisexual;
- all-gender romantic and heterosexual;
- all-gender romantic and demisexual.
This model is useful to some people, especially those on the asexual or aromantic spectrum. Others prefer a single broader identity label.
Attraction Does Not Need to Be Equal
Attraction may be:
- stronger toward certain genders;
- more frequent toward some genders;
- emotionally different across genders;
- influenced by personality or circumstances;
- fluid over time;
- difficult to measure precisely.
The phrase indicates possible attraction across all genders, not an equal division of feelings.
Gender Is Not the Same as Personality
A person may care more strongly about:
- emotional compatibility;
- kindness;
- communication;
- shared values;
- physical appearance;
- humor;
- lifestyle;
- relationship goals.
Gender may remain meaningful, become a minor factor, or have little effect on attraction, depending on the individual.
Respecting Gender Identity
Someone can experience romance across all genders while still:
- respecting names and pronouns;
- recognizing a partner’s identity;
- understanding gender-related experiences;
- supporting gender expression;
- avoiding assumptions about bodies;
- avoiding fixed gender roles.
Being attracted to people of all genders should include recognizing each person as the gender they identify with.
Current Partners and Identity
An all-gender romantic person remains capable of attraction across genders while:
- dating a woman;
- dating a man;
- dating a nonbinary person;
- married;
- single;
- celibate;
- not seeking romance;
- in a monogamous partnership.
One relationship reflects one connection, not every gender the person may potentially find romantically attractive.
Relationship Structure
- monogamy;
- consensual nonmonogamy;
- marriage;
- casual dating;
- long-term partnership;
- queerplatonic relationships;
- single life;
- no current relationship.
Being capable of romance with all genders does not mean wanting several partners. Romantic orientation and relationship structure are separate.
Common Misunderstandings
It means people of every gender may become romantic interests, not that every individual is attractive.
It means the same thing as pansexual.
All-gender romantic concerns romance, while pansexual generally concerns sexual attraction.
Attraction must be equal across genders.
Its frequency, strength, and emotional form may vary.
All-gender romantic people ignore gender.
They can recognize and respect gender without treating it as a barrier to romance.
A person must date every gender to use the phrase.
Romantic orientation does not require a particular dating history.
The phrase implies multiple partners.
It describes the gender range of attraction, not the number of relationships someone wants.
Common Collocations
- all-gender romantic attraction;
- all-gender romantic orientation;
- romantically attracted to all genders;
- romance across genders;
- all-gender romantic identity;
- experience attraction toward all genders;
- all-gender romantic representation;
- gender-inclusive romantic attraction.
Real-Life Examples
- Someone can imagine falling in love with a person of any gender.
- An asexual person experiences romantic attraction toward all genders.
- A person uses panromantic as an identity and all-gender romantic as an explanation.
- Someone notices gender but does not exclude any gender from romantic attraction.
- An all-gender romantic person enters a monogamous marriage.
- A current partner does not erase the person’s broader orientation.
- Someone experiences all-gender romance but sexual attraction toward only certain genders.
- A fictional character develops meaningful romantic connections with people of different genders.
Sample Sentences
- They describe themselves as an all-gender romantic.
- Her romantic attraction can include people of all genders.
- All-gender romantic does not mean romantically attracted to everyone.
- He uses panromantic as a shorter identity label.
- Her romantic and sexual orientations follow different patterns.
- Attraction does not need to be equal across genders.
- A current partner does not define the full orientation.
- All-gender romantic attraction can exist within a monogamous relationship.
- Recognizing gender is compatible with attraction across all genders.
- Romantic feelings never create automatic sexual consent.
Connection to Sexuality
A person with this romantic pattern may have any sexual orientation. They may experience sexual attraction toward all genders, several genders, one gender, or no genders.
Romantic attraction does not imply sexual availability or consent. Healthy relationships require honest communication about affection, identity, sexual interest, physical touch, boundaries, bodily autonomy, and freely given agreement.