Achillean is an umbrella term for men who are attracted to other men,[1] regardless of sexual or romantic orientation. This term includes men who are gay, m-spec, ace-spec, aro-spec, non-binary, and queer. It is the counterpart to sapphic. A synonym is Vincian, referring to the idea that Leonardo da Vinci was attracted to men.[2]
| Pronunciation | ə-ˈki-lē- |
|---|---|
| Etymology | Achilles + -ic |
| Abbreviations | MLM |
| Subcategories | |
| Flag | |
 | |
| Flag name | Achillean pride flag |
Etymology
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The term derives from Achilles, the greatest warrior among the Greeks at Troy and slayer of Hector from Homer's Iliad.[3] The definition comes from the relationship between Achilles and his friend Patroclus. Some have interpreted this relationship as a same-sex relationship.[1]
The term Vincian was coined by Tumblr user bivirgil on June 22, 2018. He created the original flag in the same post.[2]
Use
editThe term achillean is used to refer to any man who is attracted towards other men, such as homosexual, homoromantic, multisexual, and multiromantic men.[4]
Flag
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The achillean pride flag was created in 2016 by a tumblr user.[1] The light blue represents men and the green carnation is a reference to Oscar Wilde, who popularized using a green carnation to hint at homosexuality.[5]
References
edit- ^ a b c Theil, Michele (2024-10-23). "The fascinating meaning behind the MLM term 'Achillean'". PinkNews. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
- ^ a b "bivirgil's post". Internet Archive. Retrieved 2025-01-11.
- ^ "Definition of ACHILLES". Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
- ^ Barron, Victoria (2023-02-21). Perfectly Queer: An Illustrated Introduction. Jessica Kingsley Publishers. ISBN 978-1-83997-409-0.
- ^ Burton, Tara Isabella (2023-06-27). "How Oscar Wilde Created a Queer, Mysterious Symbol in Green Carnations". Literary Hub. Retrieved 2024-11-14.