We explain what a pansexual person is and how it differs from someone who is bisexual. Also, their flag and other sexual orientations.
What is a pansexual person?
A pansexual person is someone who feels romantically, erotically and/or sexually attracted to other people regardless of sex and gender identity that they may have. That is, pansexual people are interested in people without distinction of their biological or psychological sex. This type of sexual orientation is often considered a form of bisexuality.
The term pansexual is made up of the prefix bread-coming from ancient Greek, translatable as “everything” and by the word sexual or sexuality in its sense of “sex-affective orientation.” This term began to be used in the West in the 1970s, but it was not until 1990 that it reached its current diffusion and popularity, following the numerous declarations of pansexuality by American artists and celebrities.
Pansexual people, thus, can be romantically or sexually interested in people of any sex, regardless of their established gender identity: cis, trans or non-binary.
It is important not to confuse pansexuality, which is a sexual orientation, with gender identities. The first has to do with the type of sexual-affective attraction that is experienced, while the second has to do with “psychological sex”, that is, with the way in which each individual identifies themselves in gender matters.
pansexual flag
The pansexual community identifies itself as a collective and has chosen a flag to represent its interests as a group. This flag is rectangular and It consists of three thick stripes: one pink, one yellow and one blue in that specific order. Each represents a possible gender of attraction: female, non-binary, and male.
Differences between pansexuality and bisexuality
Traditionally, Bisexuals are understood to be people who express a romantic and erotic attraction for both men and women which can be understood as a kind of intermediate category between hetero and homosexuality.
Instead, Pansexuality not only refers to the sexual definition of individuals, but also to their gender identity: cis, trans, agender, nonbinaryamong others. Pansexual people are attracted to others regardless of their gender.
This distinction makes a lot of sense if we think about overcoming the binary scheme of sexuality and gender identity, given that the traditional idea of bisexuality refers only to men and women. cis.
Other sexual orientations
In addition to pansexuality, there are other sexual orientations, such as:
- Heterosexuality. It is understood as sexual and romantic attraction to people of the opposite sex.
- Homosexuality. It is understood as sexual and romantic attraction to people of the same sex.
- Bisexuality. It is understood as sexual and romantic attraction to people of the own sex and the opposite sex.
- Asexuality. It is understood as the absence of sexual attraction in any sense.
Continue with: Gender Fluid
References
- “Pansexuality” on Wikipedia.
- “What is it to be pansexual?” at Planned Parenthood.
- “Pansexuality Meaning and Why it's not to be Confused with Bisexuality” in Elle Magazine.
- “Bisexuality vs Pansexuality: What's the difference?” (video) in ADP.
