Can someones romantic orientation and sexual orientation be very different (aromantic pansexual or asexual polyromantic) or do they have to go in hand (aromantic asexual, biromantic bisexual)?

If you feel it, it is real and valid. We separate the types of attraction because they are so different, and many people have different orientations for each of them. While most people label no more than their romantic and sexual orientations, anyone can have a different orientation or all types of attraction -- aesthetic, platonic, romantic, sensual, and sexual. With the number of different people in the world, we can near guarantee someone out there can define themselves as panaesthetic, polyplatonic, biromantic, homosensual, asexual. Some people even have opposing orientations, like heteroromantic homosexual, or have fluid sexuality that changes regularly. Whatever set of labels feels right, is right, even if that means having no label or making up a new one.

They can absolutely be different! Your sexual orientation and your romantic orientation are two separate things. Even if they statistically are more likely to go hand in hand, almost ALL combinations are possible here. :)

No , they don't , it's not the same thing at all! An asexual could be panromantic and a pansexual could be aromantic

The romantic orientation and sexual orientation of the person need not go in hand, it may be different. It's all about the preferences in the end.

Of course not, for example, I am a hetroromantic asexual. Romantic attraction and sexual attraction are different which means they do not have to match each other, sometimes they do, sometimes they don't, it depends on the person.

They can absolutely differ! And the amount they differ, can be extreme or very slight. Someone can just not experience one form of attraction, but still very much experience the other, and that's okay. That's why the terms are separated now - it's not just one word description.

They can be different, you can be bisexual without having to be biromantic; just because you're attracted to a certain gender etc sexually doesn't mean you are romantically

Romantic and sexual orientation do not necessarily coincide. Any combination of orientation is possible, and they can also be very different, like the example you mentioned. That's totally alright, and it's always possible to find a lifestyle and relationships that fit the way you feel!

Of course it can my friend is pan romantic but identifys sexually as lesbian so it doesn't matter your orientation is your orientation no one can change that

They can be different. Not everyone feels both romantically and sexually attracted to people.

Romantic and sexual orientation are like socks, sometimes they can be paired, but they don't have to be.

Someone's romantic orientation can definitely be very different. We are all different to begin with. For example, Somebody might be aromantic, but may be interested in both genders.

How we each identify can vary greatly. Some of us have our romantic orientation as very different than our sexual orientation. Personally I am pan-romantic grey-asexual.

They can absolutely be different. Sexual and romantic attraction are different, and while the most common combination of differention orientations is asexual xxromantic or xxsexual aromantic, any combination is possible and whatever fits you.

Well, my girlfriend is an asexual lesbian, and one of my friends is bisexual but heteroromantic, and another friend of mine is pansexual but aromantic. So, yes, the two can be very different.

Romantic and sexual orientation can be very different. There can always be a dichotomy between who you do or don't want to date and who you do or don't want to have sex with. It's different for everybody!

They can be extremely different! It all depends on the person, but usually, it actually doesn't go hand in hand.

For a long time I struggled to find both a sexuality and romantic orientation that really fit me. To be honest I never understood the sheer amount of sexualities out there, and felt compelled to join a more 'well-known' group, i.e bisexual, lesbian etc. Since then I have decided that the best fit for me is 'Questioning-Asexual, Demi-Pan-Romantic'--- which is incredibly long winded and seemed silly at first. But, we should never limit ourselves to one group, we should persevere to find one that feels comfortable, and accept ourselves if we can't find our place on the spectrum. Your romantic orientation does not affect your sexual orientation and vice versa, they are fluid and they can be completely different ends of the spectrum, and that does not invalidate you.

It is totally okay to have a romantic orientation and sexual orientation that are completely different! They do not have to go hand in hand at all, as they are two different aspects of attraction. It is totally okay to be aromatic pansexual, just like it's perfectly okay to be biromatic bisexual!

They can be very different. I know people (my mom for instance) who feel no sexual attraction, but do want and enjoy romantic relationships. I also know people who are romantically attracted to multiple genders, but only sexually attracted to one. Many people have both the same, but others do not, especially if they're aromantic or asexual.