Differences Between Bisexuality and Pansexuality
Many questions arise when one proclaims that they are bisexual. But what about pansexual? Pansexuality is not a familiar term within people outside of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) community. I only learned about pansexuality in a feminism class three years ago. I had never heard the term before but when I learned its definition, I immediately came to like it. While I don’t mind identifying as bisexual, I prefer the term pansexual when it comes to my identity. But how are bisexuality and pansexuality different? Aren’t they the same thing?
How Bisexuality and Pansexuality Differ
The dictionary states the definition of bisexual as: “sexually attracted to both men and women”. Meanwhile, the definition of pansexual is: “not limited or inhibited in sexual choice with regard to gender or activity.” While it can be easy to say that both definitions mean the same, exact thing, the key difference between bisexuality and pansexuality rests on the focus on gender identity.
Bisexuality implies that there are only two genders, that being male and female. Pansexuality, on the other hand, implies that there are more than two genders. Pansexuals have no problem dating or sleeping with a transgender person, for example. This also includes people who fall out of the gender binary and consider themselves genderqueer (people who do not identify as just man or woman).
Pansexuality and Bisexuality -- Love Isn’t Based on Gender
One thing that bisexuality and pansexuality do have in common is that the people who identify as such usually don’t base their feelings on gender. Lately, I have noticed on social networks such as Tumblr that there is an active discussion between the bisexual and pansexual communities. A lot of bisexuals have come out and stated that they don’t base their sexuality on gender identity, either. They still consider and call themselves bisexual, though.
This has created some confusion between the two labels. But I think it’s great that there is an active discussion. If anything, it shows how fluid sexuality is in many people. Instead of it being as a concrete thing, sexuality is more complex and intricate than society likes to make it. Not everyone falls into the neat labels of straight or gay, and that’s okay. That doesn’t make pansexuals and bisexuals confused about their sexuality.
Choosing to Label Your Sexuality
For a long time, I had issues labeling my sexuality. I was ashamed of being bisexual and wanted so badly to just be a lesbian because of all the biphobia I had experienced outside and within the LGBTQ community. It’s something that I regret to say, but it’s true. Now, though, I am trying to accept and love myself more.
There is nothing wrong with being bisexual or pansexual. Also, I am learning that while labels are important in self-discovery and in accepting your sexuality, it’s okay to not know. Sadly, I have noticed that many people are so hung up about labels and try to be a living, breathing replica of the exact definition. Maybe we should focus more on ourselves instead of trying to live up to a textbook definition. That way there is more room for growth and happiness in our lives.
APA Reference
Celis, V.
(2014, November 5). Differences Between Bisexuality and Pansexuality, HealthyPlace. Retrieved
on 2024, May 4 from https://www.healthyplace.com/blogs/thelifelgbt/2014/11/differences-between-bisexuality-and-pansexuality
Author: Vanessa Celis
"No matter which terminology you use to describe yourself, it's not going to be wrong and it might change over time. Either way, as long as you feel comfortable with who you are, you're doing great."
This is brilliant and I needed to read that. It really resonates with me as I wonder how to sign up for online dating if I don't know "what" to call myself. :) Thank you so much!
Bruh, I thought I was Bi for like two months now, but today I was like, what is the difference between Pansexuals and Bi? so I searched it up, and then the article said that Pans don't care if your trans, or gender neutral and I was like...well damn. Because I have been crushing on a gender neutral person, and I saw a couple of Trans people online and my immediate thought was 'i'd date them!' so maybe i'm pan? *shrugs* i honestly don't know.
Vanessa,
Thank you for clarifying these terms for me a little more. I identify as a bisexual but I could also identify with the pansexual. It's all very confusing. I personally don't care for labels so I prefer not to label myself to either categories. Love is love no matter what or who you identify with. Great post. The purpose of a blog is to get people to think. Your purpose has been achieved. I thought you were very friendly and open. Some people get offended over everything. It must be stressful to live like that.
There are only two genders; male and female. If someone is trans, they are that gender. If someone is genderfluid than they are both gender. If someone is agender, they are neither gender. I'm sorry if this makes me sound naive, but that's what I believe. So you're whole argument on how they are different doesn't really work.
I personally really firmly disagree with the term "pansexual", as a bisexual. To me, bisexuality has always meant "no matter with which sex you were born, I can be attracted to you". In no way did bisexual ever mean to me "I am attracted to two specific gender identities". It was never about gender, it's about sex, and there are two sexes - two, bi. Pansexuality is now suggesting that somehow everyone else excludes people with non-binary genders. As if you cannot be a woman who likes men, and be attracted to a transgender man, even though that person identifies as a man, it has to make you pansexual. I never excluded transgender people from my bisexual preference and I am not going to change the term that I have always identified with just because someone has decided that bisexuality cannot include non-binary gender identities.
I read this because i am currently struggling with my sexuality. for a while, I've been bouncing from straight, to bi, to pan. I wasnt sure. Thank you for writing this, it really helped me understand that i am pansexual, not bi.
No, bisexuals do NOT only date men and women to the exclusion of trans people. That is grossly incorrect. As a bisexual trans man, I should know. Thanks for spreading stereotypes and misinformation about bisexual people.
This article is indeed spreading a biphobic message so he/they are entitle to outraged. And people who wrote and approved this article should have politely informed themselves before, but they didn't.
They probably thought they did by just reading this article as this was supposed to be informative
Please define your terms. This discussion board is turning into an argument board because people are not defining the terms they are using.
"Gay" means the equipment in your pants does not (traditionally speaking) match the equipment in your head.
"Trans" Does it refer to someone who transitioned or desires to, or to someone with ambiguous genitalia?
"Bi" means you are not particular about what's in your partner's pants? Or does it mean you are not particular about the gender they present as?
WTH is "pansexual", then?? You are attracted to people who are not "attractive"?? I have a degree in technical communication and this article cleared up nothing for me. :/ I'll try rereading it when I am less tired.
Thank you for trying though :)
Pansexuals lack sexuality attraction based on gender. It doesn't need to imply that there is more than two genders. It's just simply you do not care for what you're dating on a physical level. That is all.
This article is extremely rude and misinformed. So I'm going to leave this here: https://bisexual.org/?qna=what-is-the-difference-between-bisexual-and-terms-like-pansexua…
What is rude about it? Not trying to be rude, just genuinely curious.
Is there someone or some material authorized to talk about this? I mean I was curious about these terms ,these being new to me and due to lack of examples locally. I thought I got a clear interpretation when I read the post, but as I scrolled down, everything went blank again. I would really like to know more about these stuffs. I am sorry if some of the words I used are rude or something. If they are ,it is due to lack of my vocabulary. I hope I get my point across without striking anyone as rude.
You can check out Bisexual.org foruch better definition of bisexuality. The term as defined in the dictionary is not same as how bisexual people define ourselves. I do not define “bisexual” as attracted to “only 2 genders”.
The word bisexual has a traditional meaning. Why would you use a term that does not suit you to inadequately define yourself to those who are accustomed to a traditional rendering of the word? Why call yourself "bisexual" if that's not what you are? That's like me saying "I'm a toaster, but I don't agree with your definition of the word "toaster", to me a toaster is a person who is sexually attracted to pizza ovens." You seem to be twisting words just to confuse people and get attention.
I'm not sure that it really matters how you identify yourself. I am proud father of my 20 year old daughter who was born as my son. It has taken some time to get my head around it but I'm getting there. She has now told me that she is pansexual hence my interest in this topic.
I'm not sure that we should be arguing about definitions and peoples interpretation of them though. Maybe I'm wrong?
We need more people like you in this world. Thank you. Some of my friends' parents have issues with their orientations, and I think it's so cool that you don't :)
I personally am trying to find out whether I'm hetero, bi or pan; so your saying that labels don't matter has resonated with me quite a bit
Perhaps you are a virgin. You have no sexual attraction to anyone or you would be aware of it. Unless your comment is about the definitions of words? I had no sexual feelings toward anyone until after I had sex and recognized how my monthly cycle affected my impulses. Sexual feelings and body chemicals are somewhat intertwined. I think of homosexuality the way I think of robbing a bank; it may be fun, but that does not necessarily mean it is a good idea. I may have strong inclinations to rob a bank, but I don't justify my actions based solely upon what is pleasurable or enticing because actions have consequences.
Hey all, I need education!!!! If someone can please direct message me over my email (rohspo1@gmail.com) or just message me on Facebook, that would be wonderful. All these terms confuse me, and I don't know what I am yet... please help
Really great article but one small thing. You said "Bisexuality implies that there are only two genders, that being male and female." However, I am bisexual know and acknowledge there are more than two genders, I just am not attracted to those genders.
To put it in super simplified terms all pansexuals can consider themselves bisexual but not all bisexuals can consider themselves pan.
"Bisexuality implies that there are only two genders, that being male and female."
That's because there are only two genders. Please, pick up a science textbook. You can't magically decide not to have a gender, and you can't change your gender like underwear. That's not how it works.
You're confusing sex and gender there. Sex is what you're born with or "what's between your legs" as some people like to point out. Gender is social, meaning it's how society defines you or how you choose to be defined by society. Sex and gender are often used interchangeably, hence the confusion, but they are certainly different. Thus, bisexuality is something that believes in only two genders while pansexuality sees it as a spectrum.
I agree with most of what you said, however, I wouldn't say bisexuality is someone who "believes" in only two gender. I would expand that to say that people who identify as bisexual are attracted to two genders- male and female- while people identifying as pansexual are attracted to the gender spectrum. Being bisexual doesn't mean we discount or disbelieve anything, it just refers to whom we are attracted. Does that make sense?
So instead of being called bisexual or pansexual, why not use the words bigender or pangender...this eliminates the sex piece and focuses exactly on gender. Society, in general, screwed up the whole process when heterosexual and homosexual came into being...lol
There is already such thing as bi gender and pangender but that’s to gender, what you identify as, while bisexual and pansexual are your sexuality, who you’re attracted to.
People are people who cares about if they are any of the above I personally think that if you love the person it shouldn't matter about if they are heterosexual pansexual bisexual gay or transgender they are a person and just a person
Hey people of the internet, I see a lot of people who are like “I’m confused I don’t know what I am yet,” and I just want to say take your sweet time. You don’t have to know what you are yet, like if you know you are somewhere on the spectrum then you are just that and it’s okay to say that and not have a title. You don’t always have to title yourself, you can simplify things, you are allowed to not know what you are yet. I’m very well informed on things in the LGBTQ+ spectrum so if you have questions feel free to email me at cececlod01@gmail.com
Give me a break. Genetically you are either physically male or female no matter what is between the legs. Even if you change what is there your DNA is the same.. why do people like making labels and making things more complicated than they need to be. It doesn't matter to me whether the person is male. Female, "transgender", "transexual", "transvestite" or what ever label you want to use. I am attracted to the person and it doesn't matter what "gender" they are. If your DNA is male but you feel you should be female then fine and visa versa. Don't get caught up in all these dumb labels.. not everyone fits into a neat category or label. So what does it matter if "bisexual" is the same or different than "pansexual". As far as I'm concerned the LGBT (add as many letters as you want) has been a good thing until they got hung up on these stupid labels to try and make everyone happy. So the LGBT has lost their purpose. To diminish discrimination because you will NEVER eradicate discrimination. Human beings will always be afraid of things they don't know, understand or like. So stop labeling people cause labeling someone or yourself will make it easier for people to discriminate against.. we are ALL HUMAN BEINGS no matter race, color, religion or "sexual" or "gender" identity. So be yourself and treat everyone how you want to be treated even the people who might hate or dislike you.. cause hating them does no good and they don't care.. so be true and good to yourself and don't worry about what other people should call you. Unfortunately the LGBT is a guilty of discrimination as any other organization out there.. I never fit "their" idea of what a "bisexual" or "pansexual" man should look like. My head, face, throat, back, chest, arms, hands, legs and feet are heavily tattooed.. so I know how discrimination feels from both the LGBT and others.. sorry if the caps upsets anyone I use them for emphasis.
Hi dear my confused at all - love your post, just one quick piece of information. There are in fact people who are born intersex and have both female and male physical characteristics (testicals and a vagina for example), as well as only one x-chromosome and no y-chromosome (also possibly variations like two X one Y), also oftentimes no hormonal assignment to the male or female gender is possible. They are indeed inter-sex, by other than that completely normal healthy human beings (unfortunately except for fertility though). Sometimes they feel an identification with one gender as they grow up, sometimes they keep identifying as neither. People born this way often have their parents decide their gender at birth and the doctors “adjusting” the body by removing some of the anatomical features, often depending on hormonal treatment further on - that often becomes a problem when the assigned gender does not correlate with what they identify as later, which becomes especially frustrating if you grow up a man in a woman’s body but you used to have testicles as a baby but they were wrongly taken away from you for example. Or grow up a woman in a mans body but what used to be a vagina was operated into a penis, or development of your breasts were prevented by artificial hormonal treatment. They are around 0,2 if worlds population, but only during the last decades their voices have been heard as these things were always hidden and “corrected” after birth, possibly creating a very unhappy confused person, unless they conincidentally guessed the gender their baby identifies later on (but again - not all intersex people identify with either one gender). So that’s just some additions so information in your post ;)
Interesting articles as I never met a pan sexual person (or so I thought) before until recently. I think now I can identify as one. Used to be confused but not anymore. Thank you
To many labels are put on people, we’lll read in the news paper or hear on the news about crimes “ prostitute found beaten last night “ you know what this person is a human being not just a prostitute maybe a mother, a daughter or son, a sister to son one!!! At one time was a child with hopes and dreams went to school so quit labelling I have children and grandchildren and they are all part of the human race what if we are all spiritual beings having a human experience !!!
Thank you, I wasn’t clear on the difference at all. Although I have always identified myself as bisexual gender never played a role in my past/current partnerships. I have always followed my soul, that person/persons out there that you just click with. Yes labels help clear things up and help people understand things better but I agree with you on how badly people get hung by them. Thank you again for the help. -from someone who is also learning to expect themselve aging-
I completely accept both sexualitys (despite personally believing that they should/could be the same). The article above states that "Bisexuality implies that there are only two genders, that being male and female. Pansexuality, on the other hand, implies that there are more than two genders. Pansexuals have no problem dating or sleeping with a transgender person...". this annoys me because to me it seems that transgender women and men arn't being thought of as being a man or women which is what they want. by implying that a bi-sexual person will only date a cis man or woman but a pan-sexual person is open to both, makes me feel like you're not recognising what a trans person is which is a MAN or a WOMEN ( or non-binary). if anything a pan person should be thought of as someone who doesn't care what the person identifies as, for example men, women, and non-binary (if you want to add other genders go for it i guess). At the end of the day this is only my opinion and i dont expect everyone to agree or for it to be right.
Your comment makes a lot of sense, and I am bi but I don't mind dating somebody who has changed their gender. If you love a person, there gender, race, original gender, E.T.C shouldn't effect if you date them. If I love somebody, I don't care if they were born a man and now a woman vise versa, because it doesn't matter. And when somebody changes their gender, they should be called the gender they changed to. I forgot what else I was going to say, (LOL) but I agree. And I would like to stay anonymous because you would judge me for being this young but liking all genders.
Hi thank you for your responses because I am young actually about freshman ageand I'm very confused on my sexuality, at first glance it seemed I'm bisexual but I have never dated or even kissed a guy, sometimes I feel attracted to guys but not always. Apparently it takes a lot for me to be attracted to a male and that confuses me but the way I see it is that everybody is on a spectrum, the two points on the very ends are straight and to the left is gay but in between are the bi/pansexual people. Not everyone is in the exact middle, as I was typing this I realized that I am more towards the straight side but I do still like guys. Btw it doesnt matter how old you are to know who you are into. Most people I have heard about know when they are a child (from around 5-17 I have seen) hope this helps someone!
I really think that there is not really a difference I believe that trans people are the gender that they became/becoming fully so personally I identify as bi because the trans process is wanting to be and being the gender of your choice. So the difference is very small.
Interestingly enough bisexuality doesn't refer to being attracted to men and women but actually refers to being attracted to two genders.
Hey I wanted to just comment that saying the whole pans don’t mind dating someone who is transgender after talking about bisexuals only dating male and female is in a way saying that transgender people aren’t qualified as male or female. A transgender woman is a woman and a transgender man is a man and would fall under the bisexual binary of if a person went for male or female. I apologize for the terrible wording of this comment, I hope I got my point across but otherwise I apreciate the forum!
Honestly, it just seems like "pansexuality" is a... modernized?...term that has the same essential meaning as bisexuality. In a time when there are labels for EVERYTHING, it seems necessary to make room for "extra" genders... though I would have considered a trans person to be included in the "male" or "female" genders. I mostly feel like applying so many labels to gender is a mess, and is mixing up gender identity with gender rolls and sexuality where it isn't necessary to do so... but maybe that's just the new normal. Either way... my view has been and remains that sexuality is a spectrum, without easily defined boundaries. My husband identifies as bi or pan, depending on the conversation, but means the same thing either way. I don't really label myself, but am attracted to individuals of both/all genders. It's not nearly as complicated as people try to make it.
Please read this article instead-
https://www.minus18.org.au/index.php/resources/sexuality-info/item/647-bisexual-vs-pansex…
It better explains the pan vs bi conversation better. Don't be fooled by the "bi" in bisexual and think it has to mean only 2 genders. Again the article I listed above really describes the differences much better than I ever could in this comment section.
Honestly I just don't label myself, makes things easier. I guess I identify as Pansexual but I go with the flow and ride the wave. I hate having that annoying talk about my pansexuality so I keep it on the low and say I'm bi. No too much different and more well known.
I apologize to any and all that may be offended by the comment I am about to post because I sincerely care about every individual on this planet and want everybody to be comfortable in their own skin and happy as people, BUT, seriously, most of you PEOPLE (I guess unless you identify as a non-person, like an animal or plant, or a rock for that matter) are getting way too hung up on labels and on wanting to fuss and fight about something that really shouldn't be anybody's business in the first place. Is it really necessary to have to constantly define and redefine your sexual status or preferences?! Reading all of your posts just now made me feel like I had entered the twilight zone. Most of society could seriously not care less about what subtleties and nuances of your gender and/or your sexual preferences are. It's because of juvenile discussions like what I just read that gives the LGBTQ-MNOP community the stigma that you are all out of your minds. But then of course, many of you go and blame the people who really are just indifferent, and trying to lead normal satisfying lives themselves, (and rightly so, imho) about your constant inventing of new labels to identify every lustful feeling or emotional whim that happens to strike you, and the subsequent blabbering about how you should label such feelings and make it forcefully known to everyone you talk to that you identify as x,y, or z. It's my sincere belief that you are not only hurting society by shoving this nonsense down our throats at every chance you can, but you are doing real damage to your very own psyche and emotional well-being as well. Sometimes, actually, I think MOST times, it's better for you to just be, and enjoy the moment, and stop worrying so much about how you're going to be perceived if you don't use what you believe to be the correct nomenclature regarding your sexual status. As the psychologists of the world today (and prior to psychological science, those who studied the anatomy of the soul) tend to say or relate, the world that you perceive around you and your perceptions of the way that everyone in the world view you, is more often than not, like a mirror showing you a reflection of how you actually perceive yourself. If you feel that people are hung up on gender identity, and on sexual preference, it's most likely the case that it is yourself having unresolved feelings regarding these issues. If it's animosity that you think you are perceiving from the outside world regarding these issues, more likely than not it's your own subconscious trying to tell you something, and for whatever reasons, you may have built up animosity or resentment towards yourself. My advice would be threefold; to be yourself, try not to obsess about it, and stop trying to conform to labels or add unneeded pressure onto yourself by thinking that you need a definitive status regarding why you had a particular emotion or feeling about something related to sexuality. Otherwise, you just might drive yourselves crazy with emotional insecurities, and cause undue stress and confusion to yourself. In a way, by conforming to what you think or perceive as society in general being concerned with your sexual preferences or identity, you just might be like the self-fulfilling prophet, and in actuality be the one who is provoking negative responses from others when they weren't there to begin with.
I really like Judi's reply. I had not heard the term pansexual until about a half hour ago. So I googled it and got here. Seems to me, losing the labels and just saying you are attracted to the person you are attracted to should suffice.