Making Aromanticism Visible: The Story Behind The Other A in LGBTQIA+
By AUREA. Buy their book, The Other A in LGBTQIA+, here.
Aromanticism remains one of the least understood identities within the LGBTQIA+ spectrum. Many people, even within queer communities, have never heard the term, or only grasp it superficially. This lack of visibility can leave aromantic individuals feeling isolated, misunderstood, or even invalidated. That’s why we at the Aromantic-spectrum Union for Recognition, Education, and Advocacy (AUREA), a volunteer-run organization, set out to create The Other A in LGBTQIA+ with a team of writers from the aromantic community. This book is a direct extension of our mission to make aromantic experiences visible and understood. It’s a book written by the community, for the community, and for anyone curious about aromanticism.
This book is also a representation of our growth as an organization and as a community over the years. AUREA began with just seven members. Today, it’s an international network of volunteers from diverse backgrounds, countries, and identities. It’s exciting to see how far we’ve come and the impact that we’ve had on the community. As a volunteer-run organization, writing a book with an international team was challenging yet very rewarding. One of the authors, Annika, for example, recalls the moment she first engaged with the project: “I think the memory that is stuck in my brain the most is from when I saw AUREA’s original call some years back. I filled it out, wishing that an introductory book on aromanticism would include a segment on history – and a little while later I was asked if I wanted to provide my expertise for this project as a section lead!”
Of course, what makes this book special is its foundation in real lived experiences. The authors—activists, researchers, and community members—share their own journeys, weaving personal narratives with broader community insights.
For Rachel, one of the authors, the process was also an opportunity to reflect on the importance of self-care and boundaries: “Over the last several years, I’ve learned a lot about self-care and the importance of boundaries. I feel that aspec people can really lead the way when it comes to relationship boundaries. I really worked to emphasize that in the chapters that I worked on.”
In this way, it was a meaningful experience and process for many of us, as a way to reflect on our own experiences but also put these within a greater context. Working on the book was also a process of growth and development, as was the case for another of the authors, Jay: “Writing is a collaborative process, and there were plenty of moments in my conversations with my co-authors and interviewees, and reading through the survey responses that just changed everything about how I saw aromanticism and approached my writing.”
We have many hopes for this book. AUREA’s vision is to become a central hub for the aromantic community, supporting growth, research, and advocacy. The Other A in LGBTQIA+ is a step toward that goal. It’s not just a book; it’s a foundation for visibility, recognition, and a future where aromantic people are seen, heard, and understood. One of the authors, James Dillon, recalls how working on the book provided him with a sense of dignity and place as an aromantic person: “I am so excited for other aromantic people to be able to experience that too. We have always been here. We have a history.”
In a world where romantic love is often held up as the ultimate ideal, The Other A in LGBTQIA+ offers a different perspective—one that celebrates diversity, challenges norms, and centers the voices of those who have too often been overlooked. It’s a book for anyone who has ever felt out of place, anyone who wants to learn, and anyone who believes in the power of community.
AUREA, the Aromantic-spectrum Union for Recognition, Education, and Advocacy, is an volunteer-run organization with a diverse set of members from all over the world. It exists to further the recognition and education of aromanticism internationally by compiling information about aromanticism on the internet, and now in this book. This publication is AUREA’s latest project to spread awareness, share aromantic experiences, and educate both aromantic individuals and their allies.
Their book The Other A in LGBTQIA+ publishes on 21st May 2026.