Pansexuality refers to sexual, emotional, or romantic attraction to individuals no matter their gender identification or intercourse. An individual who’s pansexual could also be interested in some individuals and never others, however the gender or intercourse of the individuals who they’re interested in doesn’t matter.
Whereas some think about pansexuality to fall below the umbrella of bisexuality, it might even be thought-about a separate sexual orientation. In keeping with PFLAG, the primary and largest group devoted to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ individuals and their households, bisexuality describes sexual, emotional, or romantic attraction to individuals of a couple of gender. Because the prefix “bi” means “two,” some individuals discover the time period “pansexuality” to be extra inclusive than “bisexuality” because it acknowledges that there are greater than two genders.
All the identical, some people who’re attracted to 2 or extra genders favor to determine as “bisexual.” Others could select to make use of the phrases “bisexual” and “pansexual” interchangeably to explain their sexual orientation. Some could favor the time period “omnisexual” to “pansexual” when describing their sexual orientation. The prefix “omni” means “all,” so omnisexual describes attraction to all genders.
Pansexual people will be of any gender identification or expression. They are often interested in cis- and transgender males, cis- and transgender ladies, non-binary individuals, and gender fluid individuals. An individual needn’t have any sexual expertise to be thought-about pansexual. The figuring out components for whether or not an individual is pansexual are attraction and self-identification.
Everyone seems to be entitled to good sexual well being together with respect, security, and freedom from discrimination no matter their sexual orientation or gender identification. In case you are going through discrimination on your sexual orientation or gender identification, it might be useful to hunt constructive help programs (whether or not within the type of household, mates, or neighborhood organizations).
Moreover, if coping with discrimination is negatively impacting your psychological well being, think about in search of skilled help from a psychologist or therapist who might help you handle any signs of stress or despair.
References:
Gould, W.R. Medically reviewed by David Susman, PhD. (2022, August 18). What Does It Imply to Be Pansexual? https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-pansexual-5075602
PFLAG. (Up to date January 2021). PFLAG Nationwide Glossary of Phrases. https://pflag.org/glossary
Rice, Okay. (2015). Pansexuality. The worldwide encyclopedia of human sexuality, 861-1042. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118896877.wbiehs328
WebMD. Medically Reviewed by Isabel Lowell, MD. (2021, October 20). Pansexuality: What It Means. https://www.webmd.com/sex/pansexuality-what-it-means
