Non-romantic sexual partnerships that are portrayed as healthy, meaningful and committed.
Romantic non-sexual partnerships in which the lack of sex isn’t a cause of angst or tension.
Platonic, non-sexual partnerships that are put on the same level as committed romantic partnerships.
Short-term relationships that are treated as happy and meaningful, and for which the end is considered a natural progression instead of a tragedy.
Polyamorous families and group marriages.
Love triangles that are resolved by polyamory instead of by competition and jealousy.
Healthy BDSM relationships in which communication, mutual respect and clear boundaries are shown to be just as important as the kinky stuff.
Non-BDSM relationships making use of safewords and other kinds of consent practices to manage intimacy.
Relationships in which the people explicitly talk about what kinds of touch they’re comfortable with and what they dislike.
Relationships that don’t involve any kind of physical contact, but are based on other kinds of intimacy and affection instead.
“Shallow” relationships that don’t involve commitment or intense closeness being treated as different, but equally valid and not inferior, compared to “deeper” relationships.
Stories in which a character’s relationship with themself is treated as more important than their connection to another person.
Relationships break-ups that are treated as good decisions instead of as miserable and melodramatic.
Relationships in which controlling, manipulative or abusive behavior is recognized for what it is instead of being romanticized, and the other characters shut that shit down.
Characters who get out of abusive relationships and rebuild their lives.
Married people who still act sweet, appreciative and funny to each other after being together for years, instead of taking each other for granted or fighting all the time.
Romance stories that explore what happens after people get married instead of ending as soon as the characters have sex/get together/get married.
Stories in which the hero rescues the damsel in distress, but they don’t become a couple, because the damsel already has a girlfriend, and the hero knows that saving a woman does not mean he’s entitled to have her.
Long-running close friendships between men and women, with no hint of sexual/romantic interest, ever.
Female+female platonic relationships that are treated as special and important in the same way “bromances” are.
Relationships between people of the same gender that all the characters treat as normal, and the plot doesn’t revolve around coming out or dealing with homophobia, and doesn’t end with one or both partners dying.
Relationships with trans and/or non-binary characters whose gender is acknowledged but isn’t treated as weird or as a source of drama.
Relationships with disabled characters who aren’t treated as “tragic,” “pitiable,” or “inspirational” because of their disabilities.
