
Bisexual, pansexual, and omnisexual are all sexual orientations that involve attraction to multiple genders. While there is considerable overlap between these terms, each means something unique to the person identifying with them. Bisexuality is often defined as attraction to two or more genders, while pansexuality and omnisexuality are defined as attraction to all genders. However, some people who identify as bisexual are attracted to all genders, and some pansexual and omnisexual people have a preference for a certain gender.
Am I Bi, Pan or Omni?
| Characteristics | Bisexual | Pansexual | Omnisexual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attraction to multiple genders | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Attraction to all genders | No | Yes | Yes |
| Attraction to one's own gender | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Attraction to two genders | Yes | No | Yes |
| Attraction regardless of gender | No | Yes | No |
| Awareness of gender | Yes | No | Yes |
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What You'll Learn

Bisexuality: attraction to two or more genders
Bisexuality is a sexual orientation that refers to the romantic, sexual, or emotional attraction towards people of multiple genders. It is one of the three main classifications of sexual orientation, alongside heterosexuality and homosexuality, and exists on the heterosexual-homosexual continuum. Bisexuality is often used as an umbrella term for a wide range of identities, orientations, and attractions to more than one gender.
The term bisexuality is mainly used for people with both heterosexual and homosexual attractions. However, a bisexual identity does not necessarily equate to equal attraction to both sexes. Many bisexual people are attracted to transgender and non-binary people, and many bisexual people are themselves transgender or non-binary. Research shows that a lot of bisexual people are attracted more to one gender than another, and their bisexuality is still valid.
The Kinsey scale, which measures sexual attraction, sexual orientation identity, and sexual behaviour, suggests that having a higher level of attraction to one gender results in less attraction to the other. However, some studies do not support this, and it is important to note that bisexuality cannot be defined by a fixed ratio of attraction to different genders.
Bisexuality has historically been used to refer to attraction to same and different genders, rather than specifically to men and women. This means that bisexuality has always included attraction to people of the same gender as oneself, as well as people of different genders. However, some people feel that the term bisexuality excludes non-binary genders or erases transgender people, and prefer to use other terms such as pansexual, queer, or fluid, which feel more inclusive.
It is important to remember that how someone defines their bisexuality is unique to them, and that there is no "bisexual card" that can be taken away if someone does not experience equal attraction to multiple genders.
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Pansexuality: attraction to people of all genders
Pansexuality, or pansexualism, is a sexual orientation or sexual identity that refers to the romantic or emotional attraction towards people of all genders, regardless of their sex or gender identity. The prefix "pan" comes from the Ancient Greek "πᾶν" (pan), meaning "all, every". The term "pansexual" was first used in 1914, and it emerged as a term for a sexual identity in the 1990s.
Pansexual people may refer to themselves as "gender-blind", indicating that gender and sex are not determining factors in their romantic or sexual attraction to others. However, it is important to note that pansexual people are not always "gender-blind". Some pansexual individuals do not consider gender a major factor in their sexual attraction, while others actively reject the gender binary.
Pansexuality is sometimes considered a branch of bisexuality, as both identities involve attraction to multiple genders. However, bisexuality is often defined as attraction to two or more genders, while pansexuality specifically denotes attraction to all genders. This distinction has led to some controversy and disagreement within the LGBTQ+ community, with individuals choosing different labels based on their personal experiences and preferences.
It is worth noting that pansexuality explicitly rejects the gender binary in terms of its etymology. However, this feature is not exclusive to pansexuality and can also be found in broad definitions of homosexuality, bisexuality, and the asexual spectrum. Pansexuality is also closely related to omnisexuality, which refers to attraction to people of all genders, with an awareness of gender as a factor in that attraction.
Ultimately, the choice of label is a personal one, and individuals should select the term that best fits their sexual identity and experience.
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Omnisexuality: attraction to all genders, but gender is a factor
The term "omnisexual" comes from the Latin "omni-", meaning "all". An omnisexual person is attracted to people of any gender identity or absence of gender identity. However, unlike pansexuality, gender is a factor in their attraction. That is, gender itself contributes to an omnisexual person's sense of attraction.
Omnisexuality is often considered to be similar to pansexuality, and the two terms are sometimes used interchangeably. However, they are distinct. Pansexual people are attracted to people of all genders, regardless of gender. That is, gender is not a factor in their attraction. Pansexual people may refer to themselves as "gender-blind", asserting that gender and sex are not determining factors in their romantic or sexual attraction to others.
Pansexuality is sometimes considered a sexual orientation in its own right, or, at other times, as a branch of bisexuality. This is because attraction to all genders falls under the category of attraction to people of the same gender and different genders.
Bisexuality and pansexuality are two of the more common orientations that involve attraction to multiple genders. There is also polysexuality, which is distinct from both bisexuality and pansexuality. A polysexual person finds people of many genders attractive, but not all genders. Like bisexual and omnisexual people, gender is a factor in their attraction.
It is important to note that these labels are just a way to describe an experience. When figuring out which label "fits" you, it is more important to pay attention to your experience and give yourself room to experience it.
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Polysexuality: attraction to multiple, but not all, genders
Polysexuality is the attraction to multiple but not all genders. It is an umbrella term that includes bisexuality, pansexuality, and omnisexuality. Polysexual people may be of any gender identity. The term is distinct from pansexuality and omnisexuality, but some people may identify with both the bisexual and polysexual labels simultaneously. This is because bisexuality is defined as attraction to two or more genders.
Bisexuality is a common orientation that involves attraction to multiple genders. It is often used interchangeably with pansexuality, but the two are not quite the same. Bisexuality is defined as attraction to two or more genders, while pansexuality is defined as attraction to people regardless of gender. The prefix "bi" does not imply attraction based on a gender binary, and bisexuality has never been limited to attraction to men and women. However, some people who identify as bisexual do not feel that the term pansexual suits them.
Pansexuality is a sexual orientation that emerged in the 1990s. It is defined as attraction to people regardless of their gender or sex. Pansexual people may refer to themselves as gender-blind, asserting that gender and sex are not determining factors in their romantic or sexual attraction to others. However, some pansexual people do not consider gender a major factor in sexual attraction, rather than being gender-blind.
Omnisexuality is a lesser-known term that has strong overlaps with pansexuality. An omnisexual person is attracted to people of all genders, but gender is still a factor in their attraction. In other words, omnisexuals are attracted to all genders, but not regardless of gender. They have an awareness of gender and view it normally, they just don't care.
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Differences between bisexual and pansexual
Bisexuality and pansexuality are related but distinct concepts. Both terms describe romantic or sexual attraction to more than one gender, but there are differences in the specific genders a person is attracted to and the type of attraction involved.
Bisexuality generally refers to people who feel attracted to more than one gender. People who identify as bisexual may experience attraction to people of the same gender or sex, or they may be attracted to people of a different gender or sex from their own. In either case, a person who identifies as bisexual may have a preference for certain genders over others. For example, a person who identifies as a bisexual woman may be primarily attracted to other women, and most of her sexual experiences may be with women, but she may sometimes be attracted to men or gender-fluid people.
Pansexuality, on the other hand, is typically defined as an attraction to all genders. People who identify as pansexual experience attraction to any gender, gender identity, or sex equally. This includes individuals who do not identify with a specific gender, such as those who are agender or gender-fluid. The prefix "pan-" is Greek for "all". However, it is important to note that "'all' does not mean 'everyone'. Rather, it denotes a more inclusive range of attraction. For example, a heterosexual male is not attracted to every female, and the same is true for pansexual individuals—they may be attracted to all genders but not to every person.
While these definitions provide a general framework, it is important to remember that sexual orientations and gender identities exist on a spectrum, and there is a wide variety of ways that people can be attracted to one another. The specific meaning of bisexuality and pansexuality may vary from person to person, and individuals are free to choose how they identify and which labels, if any, they wish to use.
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Frequently asked questions
Bisexuality is defined as being attracted to two or more genders. This can include all genders or a lack of gender.
Pansexuality is defined as being attracted to people of all genders, or regardless of their sex or gender identity. Pansexual people may refer to themselves as "gender-blind", asserting that gender and sex are not determining factors in their romantic or sexual attraction to others.
Omnisexuality is defined as being attracted to all genders. However, unlike pansexuality, gender is a factor in their attraction.
Polysexuality is defined as being attracted to multiple genders, but not all genders. Gender is a factor in their attraction.









































