Sexual vs. Romantic Attraction

Romantic attraction – A component of sexual orientation that refers to a person’s desires to engage in romantic behaviors such as dating, having romantic relationships, and getting married. Romantic attraction is on a continuum of intensity and is typically geared toward specific subjects (e.g. women, men, gender-nonconforming individuals, or all of the above). It is separate from sexual attraction. 

Sexual attraction – A component of sexual orientation that refers to a person’s desires to engage in sexual behaviors (e.g. kissing, cuddling, intercourse) with another person. It can be experienced on a continuum of intensity and is typically geared toward specific subjects (e.g. women, men, gender-nonconforming individuals, or all of the above). It is separate from romantic attraction.

Source: 

Killerman, S. (n.d.). The Safe Zone Project: Core Vocabulary. Retrieved October 13, 2020, from https://thesafezoneproject.com/activities/core-vocabulary/