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In your own words, what does it mean to be pansexual?

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Etymology

Greek πᾶν ( pan), meaning "all"

Definition

Sexual or romantic attraction to people regardless of gender

Classification
Sexual identity

Parent category
Bisexuality

Other terms

Synonyms

Omnisexual

Associated terms

Polysexual, queer, heteroflexibility

Demographics

Culture
Western

Flag

Flag name

Pansexual Pride Flag

Meaning

Magenta for women; yellow for non-binary people; cyan for men

Pansexuality is sexual, romantic or emotional attraction towards people regardless of their sex or gender identity. Pansexual people may refer to themselves as gender-blind, asserting that gender and sex are not determining factors in their romantic or sexual attraction to others.

Pansexuality may be considered a sexual orientation in its own right or a branch of bisexuality, to indicate an alternative sexual identity. Because pansexual people are open to relationships with people who do not identify as strictly men or women, and pansexuality therefore rejects the gender binary, it is often considered a more inclusive term than bisexual. The extent to which the term bisexual is inclusive when compared with the term pansexual is debated within the LGBT community, especially the bisexual community.

Pansexuality is also sometimes called omnisexuality. The prefix comes from the Ancient Greek word for "all, every", πᾶν; comes from the Latin word for "all", omnis. The hybrid words pansexual and pansexualism were first attested in 1917, denoting the idea "that the sex instinct plays the primary part in all human activity, mental and physical", a reproach (credited to Sigmund Freud) levelled at early psychology.

A literal dictionary definition of bisexuality, due to the prefix , is sexual or romantic attraction to two sexes ( males and females), or to two genders ( men and women). Pansexuality, however, composed with the prefix , is the sexual attraction to a person of any sex or gender. Using these definitions, pansexuality is defined differently by explicitly including people who are intersex, transgender, or outside the gender binary.

A medical specialist at Columbia University states that pansexuals can be attracted to cisgender, transgender, intersex and androgynous people, and that the term pansexual "is generally considered a more inclusive term than bisexual." Volume 2 of Cavendish's Sex and Society, however, states that "although the term's literal meaning can be interpreted as 'attracted to everything,' people who identify as pansexual do not usually include paraphilias, such as bestiality, pedophilia, and necrophilia, in their definition" and that they "stress that the term pansexuality describes only consensual adult sexual behaviors."

The definition of pansexuality can encourage the belief that it is the only sexual identity that covers individuals who do not cleanly fit into the categories of male or man, or female or woman. However, bisexual-identified people and scholars may object to the notion that bisexuality means sexual attraction to only two genders, arguing that since bisexual is not simply about attraction to two sexes and encompasses attraction to different genders as well, it includes attraction to more than two genders. Gender is considered more complex than the state of one's sex, as gender includes genetic, hormonal, environmental and social factors. Furthermore, the term bisexual is sometimes defined as the romantic or sexual attraction to multiple genders. The Bisexual Resource Center, for example, defines bisexuality as "an umbrella term for people who recognize and honor their potential for sexual and emotional attraction to more than one gender", while the American Institute of Bisexuality states that the term bisexual "is an open and inclusive term for many kinds of people with same-sex and different-sex attractions" and that "the scientific classification bisexual only addresses the physical, biological sex of the people involved, not the gender-presentation." According to the National Center for Transgender Equality, 25% of American transgender people identify as bisexual.

Scholar Shiri Eisner states that terms such as pansexual, omnisexual, polysexual, , etc. are being used in place of the term bisexual because "bisexuality, it's been claimed, is a gender binary, and therefore oppressive, word" and that "the great debate is being perpetuated and developed by bisexual-identified transgender and genderqueer people on the one hand, and non-bi-identified transgender and genderqueer people on the other." Eisner argues that "the allegations of binarism have little to do with bisexuality's actual attributes or bisexual people's behavior in real life" and that the allegations are a political method to keep the bisexual and transgender movements separated, because of those who believe that bisexuality ignores or erases the visibility of transgender and genderqueer people.

The American Institute of Bisexuality argues that "terms like pansexual, polysexual, omnisexual, and ambisexual also describe a person with homosexual and heterosexual attractions, and therefore people with those labels are also bisexual" and that "by replacing the prefix bi - (two, both) with pan- (all), poly- (many), omni- (all), ambi- (both, and implying ambiguity in this case), people who adopt these labels seek to clearly express the fact that gender does not factor into their own sexuality", but "this does not mean, however, that people who identify as bisexual are fixated on gender." The institute believes that the idea that identifying as bisexual reinforces a false gender binary "has its roots in the anti-science, anti- Enlightenment philosophy that has ironically found a home within many Queer Studies departments at universities across the Anglophone world," and that, "while it is true that our society's language and terminology do not necessarily reflect the full spectrum of human gender diversity, that is hardly the fault of people who choose to identify as bi. ... The Latin prefix bi- does indeed indicate two or both, however the 'both' indicated in the word bisexual are merely homosexual (lit. same sex) and heterosexual (lit. different sex)." The institute argues that heterosexuality and homosexuality, by contrast, "are defined by the boundary of two sexes/genders. Given those fundamental facts, any criticism of bisexuality as reinforcing a gender binary is misplaced. Over time, our society's concept of human sex and gender may well change."

The term pansexuality is sometimes used interchangeably with bisexuality, and, similarly, people who identify as bisexual may "feel that gender, biological sex, and sexual orientation should not be a focal point in potential [romantic/sexual] relationships." In one study analyzing sexual identities described as alternative terms for bisexual or bi-self labels, "half of all bisexual and bisexual-identified respondents also chose alternative self-labels such as queer, pansexual, pansensual, polyfidelitous, ambisexual, polysexual, or personalized identities such as byke or biphilic." In a 2017 study, identifying as pansexual was found to be "most appealing to nonheterosexual women and noncisgender individuals." Polysexuality is similar to pansexuality in definition, meaning "encompassing more than one sexuality", but not necessarily encompassing all sexualities. This is distinct from polyamory, which means more than one intimate relationship at the same time with the knowledge and consent of everyone involved. American Institute of Bisexuality stated, "The term fluid expresses the fact that the balance of a person's homosexual and heterosexual attractions exists in a state of flux and changes over time."

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Etymology Greek πᾶν ( pan), meaning "all" Definition Sexual or romantic attraction to people regardless of gender Classification Sexual identity Parent category Bisexuality Other terms Synonyms Omnisexual Associated terms Polysexual, queer, heteroflexibility Demographics Culture Western Flag Flag name Pansexual Pride Flag Meaning Magenta for women; yellow for non-binary people; cyan for men Pansexuality is sexual, romantic or emotional attraction towards people regardless of their sex or gender identity.

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Read about Cyrus' experiences and describe what it's like to grow up gender fluid.

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How does the slogan "hearts not parts" reflect pansexual orientation?

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What are some common misconceptions about pansexuality? Why do people have those misconceptions?

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How do anti-gay laws still affect former British Colonies?

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How the British Empire Exported Homophobia | Empires of Dirt

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Read the story of Mary Walsh and Beverly Nance and share your opinion - was the judge right to dismiss this case?

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"Ms. Walsh and Ms. Nance were shocked to be turned away because of who they are and felt humiliated, stigmatized, and demeaned," their lawsuit reads, arguing the couple were treated "less favorably because of their sex (and) less favorably because of their association with a person of a particular sex ... (and) on the basis of their nonconformity with sex stereotypes."

In her dismissal of the couple's lawsuit, Hamilton wrote that while the Fair Housing Act does prohibit discrimination on the basis of "race, color, religion, sex, familial status, or national origin," it does not prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

"Under (the) circumstances, the Court finds the claims boil down to those of discrimination based on sexual orientation rather than sex alone," the decision reads, citing a previous court decision reached in 1990. "The Eighth Circuit has squarely held that 'Title VII does not prohibit discrimination against homosexuals.'"

Hamilton's decision notes that while several U.S. district courts have maintained that the FHA doesn't protect against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, other U.S. district courts have more recently ruled that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is a form of sex discrimination and is therefore protected by the FHA.

"This Court is bound by the law of the Eighth Circuit, however," the decision reads.

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Judge dismisses lesbian couple's lawsuit alleging discrimination by Sunset Hills retirement community

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"Ms. Walsh and Ms. Nance were shocked to be turned away because of who they are and felt humiliated, stigmatized, and demeaned," their lawsuit reads, arguing the couple were treated "less favorably because of their sex (and) less favorably because of their association with a person of a particular sex ...

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Review the types of homophobia listed here. Which type seems to be the most harmful?

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Watch this video and describe why it can be dangerous for transpeople to just be in public.

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According to Abad, what assumptions are made about transwomen and how does that affect their every day life?

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Detroit, MI

JULISA : " Ok, so everything started when I had auditioned for the Bad Girls Club in Florida. I was all over the tabloids. Then I messed around with a rapper, who is known, who got caught with me and then he made some really awful transphobic remarks to cover his tracks. After that, I was contacted by a show being filmed in Detroit called Motor City Housewives with Delicious from Flava of Love. So I came here and filmed the show. It never got picked up. I moved to Palmer Park because it was supposedly LGBT-friendly.

I was evicted from four apartments in a year because they like to do that here. In the hood, they don't check your credit. You pay security deposit and first month and then you have three months before they evict you. In Florida, I had an apartment where my rent was $850 a month, a Dodge Durango in the driveway, and insurance I could afford. My living was steady there. It took me two years but then I was pushed into doing sex work here because everything was taken from me and I could not get stable. I still can't.

There is no respect for you when you are a trans woman of color here. The misconception that we are all prostitutes or street workers is really hard. I don't know anyone who chooses sex work. We are out there working because we don't have a choice. It is the only opportunity many of us have. We need to survive. Many girls have had to date cops because that's what the cops wanted and you don't want to go to jail. Walking to the store is unsafe. I live in the Wild Wild West.

I've spoken to many publications openly about what it's like to be a trans woman out here. I help my girls and teach them how to find resources. I advocate for us in the workplace. I am out. I try and educate everyone I meet.

I have been in the news due to my advocating. I hope and pray someone sees me and offers me a paid position for this type of advocating work.

It's disheartening and incredibly unfortunate that, instead of receiving messages of people wanting to help or job offers, my Instagram, Facebook, and social media is clogged with inappropriate messages from men being like, "I saw you one T.V., they tell me how beautiful I am, and ask me -what is my ticket!?"

I don't want to sound ungrateful, but a lot of the resources here aren't great. The food boxes help me, but what about homeless trans women? What homeless person you know, carries around a can opener in their purse? Where are they taking this food box? To an abandoned building without water and electricity? Where are you taking this food now? In the summer? I know a lot of my home girls who were putting their food in a room and it was freezing outside so it wouldn't spoil. In the winter time that was okay.

Organizations help us to an extent but do not fully understand what we need.

I speak three languages, I have a college education, and I type eighty-five words a minute. There is no reason that I should not be able to get an opportunity. I can help. I know what we need!

It's just so hard sometimes.

Transilient: What do you do you to take care of yourself while surrounded by so much pain and trauma? What gives you joy? :

I haven't had that in a long time, to be really honest with you. I live day to day trying to survive. Out of my peers and the group of girls that I know, I am, to them, one of the ones who's most put together and well off. So, a lot of my crying and suffering I do in silence when I shower. I am afraid if I break down in front of them, they will lose hope. I guess I have had to learn to not talk about things.

I don't ever want my mom to feel like she failed because there are certain things I have had to do in order to survive. So, I just have to keep it to myself and don't talk about it. "

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JULISA : " Ok, so everything started when I had auditioned for the Bad Girls Club in Florida. I was all over the tabloids. Then I messed around with a rapper, who is known, who got caught with me and then he made some really awful transphobic remarks to cover his tracks.

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What is New Mexico doing to change the violence to the Queer community?

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Lawmakers in New Mexico took a step forward for LGBT+ people recently by advancing a bill to ban the so-called "gay panic" defence - a strange, backward legal idea that's evaded the march of sexual and gender equality across the US with remarkable resilience.

In a nutshell, the gay panic defence is the idea that many heterosexual people can be triggered into violent, even murderous, reaction by an unwanted sexual advance from someone of the same gender - in another sense, that someone who murders a person based on their sexual orientation is not necessarily responsible for their actions.

This argument is not used as a defence in its own right, but as a complement to other defences such as temporary insanity, provocation, or self-defence. In an era where hard-won federal and state legislation treats property damage, violence and murder meted out to LGBT+ people as hate crimes, that the gay panic defence remains unbanned in most US states seems a remarkable oversight - but in some places, things seem to be changing.

As one New Mexico lawmaker said: "It is appalling that we would continue to allow the alleged perpetrator of violence to defend themselves by claiming they panicked because of the sexual orientation or gender identity of their victim - that we would say the sheer surprise revelation of our sexuality or gender would determine our worthiness to live."

Though it is infrequently used, the defence is only outlawed in a few states; according to the National LGBT Bar Association, those that have banned it include California, Illinois, Rhode Island, Nevada, Connecticut, Maine, Hawaii, New York, New Jersey, Washington, and Colorado, as well as the District of Columbia.

As the association points out, referring to it as the "gay" panic defence is reductive, since the tactic can be used against people of any sexual orientation or gender identity, not just those who identify as gay. Hate crimes against LBGT+ people remain alarmingly prevalent, and the existence of a defence that could be used to justify identity-based violence does not make this often deadly problem easier to solve.
Read more
The defence infamously got a national airing after the murder of Matthew Shepard, a young gay man in Wyoming, who was found tied to a fence barely alive and horrifically beaten in 1998. After he died in hospital several days later, two men were arrested for robbing and killing him.

During court proceedings, one of the men's legal teams attempted to advance the "gay panic" theory on his client's behalf, claiming that Shepard had made an advance on his client and triggered a violent response - one that drew on traumatic youthful homosexual experiences as well as the influence of drugs and alcohol.

The judge rejected the defence, declaring that "even if relevant, the evidence will mislead and confuse the jury"; the prosecution, meanwhile, argued that the defence implicitly offered an excuse that could be cited to explain any murder away.

While the Shepard case did not see the defence vindicated, it did leave a lasting impact on the way violence against LGBT+ people is policed. A decade later, Shepard's name was given to a law that extended the federal definition of hate crimes to cover gender, disability, gender identity, or sexual orientation.

Since then, legislation to eliminate the panic defence has been introduced not just at state level, but federally too. During the last Congress, Democratic members of the House and Senate introduced the Gay and Trans Panic Defense Prohibition Act of 2019, which would enter into law that "No nonviolent sexual advance or perception or belief, even if inaccurate, of the gender, gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation of an individual may be used to excuse or justify the conduct of an individual or mitigate the severity of an offence".

The bill never moved past the committee stage, but if reintroduced, it may stand a better chance with a Congress and White House both controlled by the Democrats.

The gay panic defence is not the same as the notorious "twinkie defence" that surfaced in the trial of Dan White, who murdered gay San Francisco city supervisor Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone in 1978.

White's team argued that he was suffering from depression at the time of the murders, and that his sudden turn to junk food as opposed to his usual healthy diet indicated the seriousness of his mental deterioration in advance of the murders. Contrary to popular belief, the defence team did not argue that the twinkies their client ate had themselves made him murderously violent. In a controversial verdict, Mr White was ultimately found guilty of manslaughter.

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States are finally moving to ban the homophobic 'gay panic' defence

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Lawmakers in New Mexico took a step forward for LGBT+ people recently by advancing a bill to ban the so-called "gay panic" defence - a strange, backward legal idea that's evaded the march of sexual and gender equality across the US with remarkable resilience.

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What's the difference between sexual orientation and sexualizing?

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Why was it important for a young teenager like Jojo Siwa to come out and share her story to the world?