What is pansexual?

Pansexuality is a sexual, romantic, or emotional orientation characterized by attraction to people regardless of their gender or sex identity. Here are some key points about pansexuality:

Attraction Regardless of Gender

Pansexual individuals are attracted to people of all genders, including but not limited to male, female, transgender, intersex, nonbinary, and agendered/genderqueer individuals245.

Focus on the Person

Pansexuality is often described as being more focused on the person as an individual, rather than their gender or sex identity. This means that the attraction is not limited by traditional gender categories235.

Distinction from Bisexuality

While bisexuality generally refers to attraction to more than one gender, often with an awareness of gender and potential limitations on which genders one is attracted to, pansexuality is broader and includes attraction to people of all genders. However, it's important to note that definitions can vary, and self-perception is crucial234.

Individual Variability

Like any other sexual orientation, pansexuality does not mean that a pansexual person is attracted to every individual of any gender. Attraction is still subjective and varies from person to person34.

Relationships and Identity

Pansexual individuals can be in a wide variety of relationships, and their orientation does not change based on the gender of their partner. They may face unique challenges, such as microaggressions or the dismissal of their sexual identity35.

Terminology and Labels

Some people use terms like "omnisexual" interchangeably with "pansexual," although "omnisexual" may imply that gender is still a factor in attraction, albeit a less significant one3.

In summary, pansexuality is about being open to romantic, emotional, or sexual connections with people of any gender identity, focusing on the individual rather than their gender.