What is pansexuality?

Miranda Kuyk bisexuality and pansexuality

Pansexuality is a sexual orientation where someone is attracted to people of any gender identity

What does it mean to be pansexual?

Let’s clear something up straight away: pansexuality is a sexual orientation, not a gender identity. It means that someone is attracted to other people, regardless of their gender identity. Pansexuality means being emotionally, romantically or sexually attracted to another person of any gender. Anyone can be pansexual. It doesn’t matter what their gender identity is either. So, a cis-man who is pansexual may be attracted to women, transgender men, non-binary people, men, and people of any other gender identity.

Note: ‘cisgender men’ or ‘cis men’ refers to men who were assigned male at birth, based on having a penis and other biological characteristics, and identify as men too. Cis is the opposite of trans. We discuss trans men more here, and here’s some support and advice about navigating sex and relationships for trans men and trans masculine people.

What is the difference between pansexuality and bisexuality?

Some people think there’s a difference between pansexuality and bisexuality, where as others use the labels interchangeably. Historically, being bisexual meant being attracted to both men and women. ‘Bi’ refers to two. But now we know there are many more gender identities than just female and male, and so many people use ‘bisexual’ in an inclusive way that refers to lots of gender identities. Some people feel the distinction is: pansexuality is regardless of gender, where as bisexuality includes gender in their attraction.

It’s okay if your meaning of pansexual doesn’t quite match someone else’s. Your sexual identity is yours! It’s also okay to ask someone what they mean when they say they’re pansexual. Just remember to be respectful.

Do pansexual people just fancy everyone then?

There is a common myth that, because pansexual people are attracted to all genders, they’re greedy and attracted to everyone. This isn’t true! For one, that would be exhausting. We don’t assume that straight men fancy each and every woman. Likewise, just because pansexuals are capable of being attracted to anyone, it doesn’t mean they fancy everyone. Most people have physical and emotional preferences when it comes to their crushes, and pansexuals do too.

Am I going through a phase? Is this normal?

People often think that pansexual people are just experimenting and haven’t decided what their sexuality is. This isn’t true either! Pansexuality is a valid sexuality. It doesn’t mean you’re indecisive or greedy or just going through a phase.

Whatever your sexuality or sexual orientation is, it’s normal. Sexuality is a spectrum and you can be anywhere on that spectrum. At the end of the day, your sexuality is for you, no one else, so it’s all okay as long as it makes you happy!