A zucchini is an informal term used to refer to one’s partner in a queerplatonic relationship. A queerplatonic relationship (QPR) is characterized by a deep, intimate bond that transcends the traditional boundaries of friendship but does not necessarily meet the expectations of a romantic relationship. A zucchini can be of any romantic or sexual orientation and allows for unique, personal connections that do not fit within standard categories.
The level of commitment between people in a queerplatonic relationship is considered to be higher than a platonic relationship, but not conforming to traditional ideas of a romantic relationship. Zucchinis can have any romantic orientation or sexual orientation.
Jules and Noor always had a special bond. Their friendship was stronger and more intimate than what they had with other friends, but it didn’t feel like a romantic relationship. They shared deep conversations, made future plans and supported each other in everything. When they came across the term zucchini during a conversation about queerplatonic relationships, they immediately thought it was perfect.
“That’s us,” Jules said, laughing. “No romance, but a bond no one else understands.” Noor nodded enthusiastically. “Exactly! It feels good to have a word that describes what we have.”
They began lovingly calling each other their zucchini and liked having a term that did their relationship justice without having to conform to traditional labels. It helped them better communicate their bond to others and also recognize that their connection was as valuable as a romantic or platonic relationship.
For Jules and Noor, embracing the term zucchini was not only a way to describe their relationship, but also to celebrate their unique bond. It gave them the freedom to shape their relationship on their own terms, without worrying about how others would interpret it.
History
The term was coined by Dreamwidth user meloukhia on Dec. 25, 2010, in response to a post titled “A/romance” by another user. The term zucchini was originally a joke about the lack of a word to properly describe the term, so any word could be used, such as zucchini, or zucchini in English.
This is also the origin of the term queerplatonic. The term became known after WordPress user Sciatrix posted “My Thoughts on the Word ‘Zucchini’,” a neutral to negative post about the term, on July 11, 2011.
Culture
In July 2014, the first issue of the Rotten Zucchinis zine, edited by two people referred to only as “Omnes” and “Nihil,” was published. The magazine contains general information about queerplatonic relationships and personal testimonies in essays and poems around relationships, with a general content warning about interpersonal violence and acephobia. Tumblr user rotten-zucchinis announced the release of the zine in their first post.
Around November 2014, rotten-zucchinis released “Queerplatonic Zucchinis: A Short Primer: Asexual/Ace and Aromantic/Aro Language of Non-Normative Relationships,” a more in-depth glossary than was contained in the zine’s first issue. The second issue of the zine, which focuses on the potential negatives of queerplatonic relationships, including interpersonal violence, appeared in May 2015.
Flag
The Zucchini flag was created by FANDOM user Unfunny person420 on April 14, 2021.
The flag combines the colors of the aromantic flag and the queerplatonic flag.
- green stripes represent the aromantic spectrum
- pink and yellow stripes represent queerplatonic relationships
- white represents the uniqueness of the relationship and the blurred lines between platonic and romantic relationships.
Resources
- The Ace Theist blog post “A Genealogy of Queerplatonic” by Coyote.
- Dreamwidth post responding to the post “A/romanticism.”
- WordPress post “My Thoughts on the Word ‘Zucchini.'”
- Ace Zine Archive entry on Rotten Zucchinis.
- Tumblr post announcing the first issue of Rotten Zucchinis.
- Tumblr post announcing the primer “Queerplatonic Zucchinis.”