An introduction to fictoqueer identities

[Cheeky8]

This discussion aims to define "fictoqueer" and multiple fictoqueer orientations.

What is Fictoqueer?
Fictoqueer is an umbrella term for anyone who is:
1) otherwise asexual/aromantic/aspec;
2) identifies as experiencing attraction to (exclusively) fictional characters.
The prefix "ficto" can be seen as a shorthand form of "fictional" and refers to the fictional characters/media in which fictoqueer individuals experience attraction. Some fictoqueer people may experience attraction across a vast number of fictional universes; others may only experience attraction within one or two fictional worlds. Similarly, a fictoqueer individual may frequently be attracted to several characters while another may experience attraction rarely. The same holds true for fictional species, personality-types, et cetera.

Fictoqueer is NOT a fetish or mental illness. Fictoqueer identities involve real feelings and real attractions. While a fictional character does not exist physically, they do exist in our minds and in the media in which we find them. These feelings are valid and real, else we simply wouldn't develop them.
Psychologically, our brains do not know that these characters are fictional. Consciously we know but our temporal lobe only recognises their face and that we feel deeply for them. The brain releases dopamine and adrenaline because of this and there is no different dopamine and adrenaline for fictional people versus non-fictional people. You've learnt intimate details and gained closeness with these characters in the same way you have for your friends and family. You empathise with them in the same way you would a physical person.

Just like homophobia and transphobia, fictophobia is a very real issue inside and outside the LGBTQIA+ community. As a far more obscure and unknown community, there is far less knowledge about the lives, experiences and understanding of fictoqueer people.

Fictoqueer orientations:
As with many other sexualities and romantic orientations, fictoqueer terms are the type of attraction felt prefixed with "ficto". This section explains the types of attraction felt for people identifying with different fictoqueer orientations. It's possible to identify with more than one of these terms - in the same way that one might be heterosexual and biromantic, or asexual and aromantic, for instance.
(ficto)sexual
Sexual attraction is a feeling of arousal or biological response to another. Often, this relates to the way a person looks and/or behaves.
(ficto)romantic
Romantic attraction is defined by a non-sexual, emotional attraction and can be developed based on aesthetics, intellect and/or personality.
(ficto)alterous
Alterous attraction is a form of emotional attraction that is neither platonic nor queerplatonic, though not romantic either. One might identify with alterous attraction due to experiencing varying levels of emotional attraction that can not be accurately defined by the non-romantic/romantic binary, and/or may feel discomfort/unease/inaccuracy in calling their attraction wholly platonic or romantic.
(ficto)sensual
Sensual attraction refers to the desire for pleasure that involves the senses and is not necessarily sexual in nature. It may involve tactile stimulation, like kissing or cuddling, but can also include visual, aural, taste and smell - for example, the desire to appreciate the sight of someone might be considered sensual attraction.
(ficto)queerplatonic
Queerplatonic attraction blurs the lines between behavioural (cultural) norms for platonic and romantic attraction. A queerplatonic relationship involves platonic attraction where the relationship may be more physically affectionate and emotionally close than is considered the 'norm'.
(ficto)platonic
Platonic relationships are typically those you have with friends. It is defined as being "intimate and affectionate but not sexual" and usually of friendship or familial love.

It is possible (though not currently identified) that one may feel that they are fluid between two or more of these identities and/or are flux with one or more of these orientations.
-Author's Note: While I do not know anyone who identifies as such, I have questioned it in myself and believe it to be possible in the same way that other sexualities, romantic orientations and gender identities can be fluid, simultaneous and/or fluctating in intensity. Infer my previous statement as you wish based on that information.-

Thanks for reading!