An achillean is defined as someone who identifies as a man and feels attraction to other men or masculinity. This term encompasses various identities such as men-loving-men (MLM), apollian, chaeronean, and wildean. The label is inclusive of all men who love other men, whether they are exclusively attracted to men (e.g., gay or vincian) or are also attracted to other genders (e.g., bisexual or pansexual). Achillean unites these identities under one umbrella, fostering solidarity among them. It can be used to highlight that a man prioritizes his attraction to or relationships with other men or as an identity on its own, particularly for those unsure about their attraction to other genders.
David identifies as achillean, appreciating how it captures his attraction to men while allowing for flexibility in his overall orientation. For years, David felt connected to different labels but never found one that fully encompassed his experience. He was sure of his love for men but unsure if other attractions might surface in the future. When he discovered the term achillean, it resonated deeply; it honored his attraction to men without limiting him to only one label. One evening, while talking to his friend Liam, David explained, “Being achillean gives me the freedom to say I’m attracted to men without boxing myself into a narrower definition. It’s an inclusive identity that fits how I feel.” Embracing this label has allowed David to express his attraction confidently and connect with a broader community of men who share similar experiences, whether they identify as gay, bisexual, or another m-spec orientation.
The female counterpart of achillean is sapphic. The non-binary counterparts are diamoric and enbian.
Other terms
There are many other terms used to refer to non-exclusive attraction to men, often drawing from ancient Greek and Roman literary figures, as well as LGBTQ+ rights activists and artists from the 16th century onward. These terms include:
- Apollian or Apollinian: honoring the ancient Greek and Roman god Apollo.
- Wildean: named after writer Oscar Wilde.
- Chaeronean: based on the Order of Chaeronea, founded in 1897 by early LGBTQ+ rights activist George Cecil Ives.
- Hyacean or Hyacique: inspired by Hyacinthus from Greek mythology.
- Ganymedic: paying tribute to Ganymede from Greek mythology.
- Patroclean: named after Patroclus from Greek mythology.
- Sivanic: honoring singer and YouTuber Troye Sivan.
- Tomic: paying tribute to the erotic artist Tom of Finland.
- Vincic: named after the inventor Leonardo da Vinci.
- Vincian: also based on Leonardo da Vinci; sometimes used as an alternative to achillean but can also refer to homosexual men (exclusive attraction).
Historical or lesser-known identities
Some historical or now rarely used identities under the achillean umbrella include uranian and virescin.
History
The term achillean has historically been used to describe things related to the mythological figure Achilles. The first use of achillean in the context of men attracted to men was in 1959, in A.C. Hamilton’s academic article “Spenser’s Treatment of Myth”:
“Guyon conquers these Achillean affections by his own strength; but they break out again when Cymochles lapses into lust and Pyrochles burns in the idle lake.”
The revival of achillean likely came through the internet, specifically from a Tumblr post by user asculan on June 13, 2016.
Source
https://new.lgbtqia.wiki/wiki/achillean