Tillie Doyle
Pansexuality is a sexual orientation in which a person can be romantically, emotionally, and/or sexually attracted to people of any gender, including those who are outside the gender binary or identify as agender. The term pansexual is derived from the Greek prefix pan-, meaning all. People who identify as pansexual may also refer to themselves as gender-blind, indicating that gender does not play a role in their romantic or sexual attraction. While pansexuality is sometimes considered a distinct sexual orientation, it is also occasionally viewed as a branch of bisexuality, as both encompass attraction to more than one gender. However, some individuals who identify as bisexual may not feel that the term fully captures their attraction to people of all genders, and thus may prefer to identify as pansexual. Ultimately, the choice of label is a personal one, and individuals should feel free to explore different terms to find what suits them best.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Sexual, romantic, or emotional attraction towards people of all genders, or regardless of their sex or gender identity |
| Synonyms | Omnisexuality, pansexualism |
| Etymology | The prefix "pan-" comes from the Ancient Greek "πᾶν" (pan), meaning "all, every" |
| History | The term "pansexual" was first attested in 1914 (spelled "pan-sexualism") |
| Related Terms | Bisexuality, asexuality, homosexuality, queer, sexually fluid |
| Notable Individuals | John Wilmot, Friedrich Schill, Shulamith Firestone, Nico Tortorella |
| Common Misconceptions | That pansexuality is a "stepping stone" to homosexuality, that pansexual people are hypersexual |
| Resources | GLAAD, The Asexual Visibility and Education Network wiki, LGBTQIA+ groups |
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What You'll Learn
Pansexuality is a sexual orientation
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, it is important to note that people who identify as pansexual do not usually include paraphilias, such as bestiality, pedophilia, and necrophilia, in their definition. Pansexuality explicitly rejects the gender binary and is often considered a branch of bisexuality, as both identities include attraction to more than one gender. However, some people who identify as bisexual draw a distinction between the two, arguing that bisexuality can include attraction to multiple genders.
The term 'pansexual' was first attested in 1914 (spelled 'pan-sexualism') and was coined by opponents of Sigmund Freud to denote the idea that the sex instinct plays a primary part in all human activity, mental and physical. The term 'pansexuality' emerged as a term for a sexual identity or sexual orientation in the 1990s.
It is important to remember that sexual orientation is fluid and can change over time. Individuals are not limited to one label and can identify with multiple terms or change the way they describe their sexual orientation. The choice of how to identify is entirely up to the individual, and there are many resources available for learning more about pansexuality and other sexual orientations.
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It includes attraction to all genders
Pansexuality is a sexual orientation in which an individual feels romantic, sexual, or emotional attraction towards people of all genders, including those who are transgender, non-binary, or intersex. It is important to note that pansexuality explicitly rejects the gender binary and does not consider gender or sex as determining factors in attraction. This means that a pansexual person's attraction is not limited or influenced by the gender of the person they are attracted to.
Pansexuality is often compared to bisexuality, and there is some overlap between the two. Bisexuality is defined as the potential for attraction to more than one gender, usually two or more. However, some individuals who previously identified as bisexual now identify as pansexual as they feel it more accurately describes their attraction to people regardless of gender. The term "pansexual" is derived from the Ancient Greek "pan" meaning "all, every", reflecting the inclusive nature of this sexual orientation.
It is worth noting that pansexuality does not imply attraction to everyone or every personality type. Just as heterosexual individuals do not feel attraction towards every person of the opposite gender, pansexual individuals do not feel attraction towards every person of any gender. Pansexuality simply means that a person's attraction is not limited by gender boundaries or expectations.
Pansexuality is a broad term, and individuals who identify as pansexual may have varying interpretations of what it means to them. Some may feel that it empowers them to move beyond societal gender roles, while others may appreciate the inclusivity it offers in not excluding any gender from the potential for attraction. Ultimately, sexual orientation is a personal matter, and individuals are free to choose the labels that best describe their experiences and attractions.
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It is distinct from bisexuality
Pansexuality is a sexual orientation or identity in which a person is romantically or sexually attracted to people of all genders, regardless of their sex or gender identity. The prefix "pan-" comes from the Ancient Greek "πᾶν" (pan), meaning "all, every".
While pansexuality is often considered its own distinct sexual orientation, it is sometimes also viewed as a branch of bisexuality. This is because bisexuality, by definition, includes attraction to people of the same gender and different genders, and so also encompasses multiple genders. However, bisexual-identifying individuals may argue that bisexuality does not simply refer to attraction to two sexes, but also includes attraction to different genders, and therefore multiple genders.
Despite this overlap, there are important distinctions between pansexuality and bisexuality. Firstly, the term "bisexuality" and its prefix "bi-" imply attraction to two genders, whereas "pansexuality" and its prefix "pan-" explicitly denote attraction to all genders. This distinction is particularly significant for those who identify as non-binary or outside the gender binary, as these individuals may feel that their gender identity is more accurately acknowledged and affirmed by the term "pansexual". For example, an individual may feel that their attraction to a non-binary person is better described as "pansexual" than "bisexual" because the latter implies attraction to only two genders.
Furthermore, the term "pansexuality" is often associated with the idea of being gender-blind, suggesting that gender is not a determining factor in romantic or sexual attraction. This concept of gender blindness is not typically associated with bisexuality, and some individuals may feel that the term "bisexuality" does not adequately convey the extent to which gender influences their romantic or sexual attraction. Additionally, some individuals who identify as pansexual may feel that the term "bisexuality" does not accurately reflect their attraction to people who do not identify as strictly men or women, or their rejection of the gender binary.
It is worth noting that the choice of sexual identity labels is deeply personal, and individuals may choose to identify with multiple terms or change their preferred labels over time. Some people identify with both pansexual and bisexual, or use the terms interchangeably to describe themselves. Ultimately, the specific terminology used to describe one's sexual orientation is a matter of personal preference, and individuals should use whatever label feels most accurate and comfortable for them.
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It is not a stepping stone to homosexuality
Pansexuality is a sexual orientation or identity in which a person is romantically or sexually attracted to people of all genders, regardless of their sex or gender identity. It is often considered part of the bisexual umbrella, but many people who identify as pansexual believe that bisexuality does not accurately describe their attraction to people of all genders.
Pansexuality is not a stepping stone to homosexuality. Firstly, pansexuality is a valid and distinct sexual orientation in its own right. While some people may identify with being pansexual at one point and then as heterosexual or homosexual later on, this does not mean that pansexuality is a phase or a stepping stone to any other sexual orientation. People who identify as pansexual may do so their whole lives.
Secondly, the misconception that pansexuality is a stepping stone to homosexuality may stem from the belief that pansexuality is the only sexual identity that covers individuals who do not identify as strictly men or women. However, this belief is inaccurate, as homosexuality, bisexuality, and the asexual spectrum can also include attraction to individuals outside the gender binary.
Thirdly, pansexuality explicitly rejects the gender binary and asserts that gender and sex are not determining factors in romantic or sexual attraction. This means that pansexual individuals are open to relationships with people of any gender, including those who are transgender, non-binary, or intersex. While some may view this as a progression towards homosexuality, it is important to understand that pansexuality is not defined by a person's biological sex or gender but rather by their attraction to people of all genders.
Finally, the idea that pansexuality is a stepping stone to homosexuality may contribute to the misconception that pansexual individuals are hypersexual or attracted to everyone they see. This assumption is not only incorrect but can also lead to pansexual people being invalidated or not taken seriously. It is crucial to respect and validate an individual's sexual orientation, whatever it may be, and to understand that it is not a stepping stone to anything else but rather a valid and unique part of their identity.
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Pansexual people may also identify as bisexual
Pansexuality is defined as the experience of sexual, romantic, or emotional attraction toward people of all genders, or regardless of their sex or gender identity. People who identify as pansexual may refer to themselves as gender-blind, asserting that gender and sex are not determining factors in their romantic or sexual attraction to others. The prefix "pan-" comes from the Ancient Greek "πᾶν" (pan), meaning "all, every".
Pansexuality is sometimes considered a sexual orientation in its own right, or, at other times, as a branch of bisexuality. This is because the attraction to all genders falls under the category of attraction to people of the same gender and different genders, indicating a lack of gender preference. While pansexual people are open to relationships with people who do not identify as strictly men or women, this is not exclusive to pansexuality and can also be found in broad definitions of homosexuality, bisexuality, and the asexual spectrum.
The term "bisexual" is sometimes defined as the romantic or sexual attraction to multiple genders. Bisexual activists have described their orientation as including two or more genders. The Bisexual Manifesto, first published in 1990, pointed out that bisexual people can be attracted to more than two genders. It is important to note that bisexuality does not imply attraction to only two genders, as the prefix "bi-" means "two". Many people who identify as bisexual acknowledge that there are multiple genders.
Some people identify with both pansexual and bisexual, and some use the terms interchangeably to describe themselves. This is because pansexuality and bisexuality can overlap, and both terms refer to attraction to multiple genders. However, the difference lies in the fact that "multiple" is not the same as "all". While a pansexual person may experience the same level of attraction to people of any gender, a bisexual person may feel attracted to certain genders and not others. For example, someone who identifies as bisexual may feel attracted to those who are gender-fluid, men, or non-binary people but not to women.
It is important to remember that sexual orientation is not static and can change over time. People are free to choose and switch their sexual orientation labels as they see fit.
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Frequently asked questions
Pansexuality is the romantic, emotional, and/or sexual attraction to people of any gender or to people regardless of their gender. The prefix "pan" comes from the Greek word for "all".
Bisexuality involves attraction to people of two or more genders, while pansexuality means attraction to people of all genders. Some people use the terms interchangeably, but they are not the same.
The hybrid words "pansexual" and "pansexualism" were first attested in 1914, coined by opponents of Sigmund Freud to denote the idea that the sex instinct plays the primary part in all human activity. The term "pansexuality" emerged as a term for a sexual identity or sexual orientation in the 1990s.
