Pansexual people are physically, emotionally, and romantically attracted to people of all genders.
Some pansexual people see their attraction as existing regardless of a persons gender identity.
Pansexual persons may consider their attraction devoid of gender preference and blind to gender, where omnisexuality does not.
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This includes cisgender women as well as transgender and nonbinary people.
Others may argue that gender blindness common to pansexual attraction may help fight against gender-based biases, includingtransphobia.
Origins of Pansexuality and Omnisexuality
The term pansexual originates from the Greek prefix pan meaning all.
Attraction in Omnisexuality vs. Pansexuality
Pansexual people may lack a gender preference.
However, they can still have preferences in who, from people of all genders, they find attractive.
Attraction in omnisexuality is slightly different.
Omnisexual people are attracted to people of all genders, but gender does play a role in this attraction.
Omnisexual people can still have preferences when it comes to attraction.
Pansexual Preferences
The pansexual pride flag first appeared online in 2010.
Omnisexual people are attracted to people of all genders, but gender does play a role in this attraction.
Omnisexual people can still have preferences when it comes to attraction.
The original flag design, attributed to @pastelmemer, showed five stripes.
From top to bottom, they include light pink, pink, black, blue, and light blue.
The colors have since been explained based on omnisexual attraction as follows:
Can You Be Both?
Gender is a social construct and it exists on a spectrum.
It is about how you see yourself as a woman, man, both, or something entirely different.
Sexuality is about who (if anyone) you find attractive.
If you are questioning your gender, you are not alone.
Some great resources include The Trevor Project,The Gender Unicorn, and theTransgender Law Center.
Learning More About Your Sexual Identity
Coming to terms with your sexuality can be a process.
Questioning your sexuality is a healthy part of working toward coming to terms with your sexuality.
Talking about it can help and conversations about your sexuality can be started in any way you feel comfortable.
Coming to terms with your sexuality doesnt have to follow some script.
There are safe spaces you’re able to use to start conversations with others about your sexuality.
While they are sometimes used interchangeably, they refer to subtly different sexual identities.
People who are attracted to all genders can still have preferences in who they find attractive.
Coming to terms with your sexuality looks different for everyone.
Center for Positive Sexuality.#TuesdayTerms: Bi/pan/omni/polysexual.
Them.Inqueery: The past and popular usage of the word pansexual.
Gender and Sexuality Resource Center at the University of Northern Colorado (GSRC).Pride flags.
GLAAD.Glossary of terms LGBTQ.
Bisexual Resource Center.Bi+ info.
2020;20(3):324-341. doi:10.1080/15299716.2020.1743402
