I cannot cosign this enough. Thank you for articulating this in such an insightful way. Even though I believe that I experience romantic (and sexual) love, I personally value my platonic love and most important platonic relationship far above any romantic or sexual ones. Even some people who experience romantic love still prefer or choose to value platonic love. I want more platonic options which are not lesser or inferior to their romantic equivalents, or perhaps even better.
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I really appreciate the response! Honestly I hate how much emphasis society puts on the idea that "love" can have meaningfully different contexts and importance... Which is to say, basically, everyone should get really invested in showing love to their friends. A good best friend is such a wonderful thing and I really wish it was treated as equal as romance in media, sigh.
I will continue to make art that celebrates the platonic. I will continue to make art that shows both people who do not experience romantic (and/or sexual) love and also value platonic love, as well as people who do experience romantic (and/or sexual) love and also value platonic love. I want to show that platonic love is not merely a substitute for those who cannot access romantic love, but something so good and wonderful that even those who can experience powerful romantic love may choose to value platonic value equally or above it. I hope to see your art too.
Yes!! It's through just a few of us making art that celebrates the platonic that people will slowly start to see it everywhere. Representation is ever-evolving, and that means everyone can shape it to what they want to see - which for me, is the power of purely platonic love for the world and the people around you.