Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Pansexuality?What Is Bisexuality?DifferencesCommon MisconceptionsSexual vs. Romantic OrientationHow Do I Know What I Am?Frequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Pansexuality?
What Is Bisexuality?
Differences
Common Misconceptions
Sexual vs. Romantic Orientation
How Do I Know What I Am?
Frequently Asked Questions
To understand the spectrum of sexual andgender identity, knowing the terms people use to describe themselves and their attractions is key. Two recognized terms, bisexuality andpansexuality(also calledomnisexuality), describe romantic or sexual attraction to more than one gender.
However, there are more specific differences between the two terms regarding which genders a person is attracted to and what type of attraction may be involved.
This article discusses their definitions, similarities, and differences.
Vladimir Vladimirov / Getty Images
To be pansexual or identify as pansexual means that your sexual, emotional, or romantic attractions are not exclusive to people of one particular sex, gender, or gender identity.The prefix “pan-” is Greek for “all.“However, a reference to all doesn’t mean everyone. Rather, it denotes a more inclusive range of attraction.
Identifying as bisexual means you might feel sexual, emotional, or romantic attraction, or act on that attraction, to people of more than one sex or gender.The prefix “bi-” denotes either/or, but in this case doesn’t specifically mean opposites.
An Explanation of Omnisexual vs. Pansexual Identity
What Is the Difference Between Pansexuality and Bisexuality?
Both sexual orientations experience attraction to more than one gender, gender identity, or sex. However, people who identify as pansexual experience attraction to any gender, gender identity, or sex equally, whereas people identifying as bisexual may favor some genders over others.
People who identify as bisexual may experience attraction to people of the same gender or sex. It’s also possible that they are attracted to people who have a different gender or sex from themselves. In either case, a person who identifies as bisexual may have more attraction or experience with a particular gender or sex.
For example, a person who identifies as a bisexual woman may be primarily attracted to other women sexually, and most of their sexual experiences may be with other women. However, they may sometimes be attracted romantically or sexually togender-fluidpeople.
What Is Genderqueer?
Common Misconceptions About Bisexuality and Pansexuality
There are many misconceptions about both sexual orientations. However, there are a few that overlap, such as bisexuality and pansexuality being:
Gender vs. Sex: Meaning, Differences, Healthcare
Sexual Orientation vs. Romantic Orientation
There are many ways people can be attracted to one another (more than can be listed here). Some people may also find a pattern to their sexual or romantic attraction, lending itself to an orientation.
That said, if a person identifies as bisexual, pansexual, or another orientation, it won’t necessarily predict or define their behavior.
Types of Sexuality
Sexuality types are often described in terms of experiencing sexual attraction and to whom you are typically sexually attracted. Though it’s not an exhaustive list, some types of sexuality include:
People who aren’t sure whom they are sexually attracted to may identify asquestioning.
Cis Woman: What It Means (and How Other Gender Identities Are Defined)
Types of Romantic Orientations
Similar to sexuality types, different romantic orientations involve whom you are romantically attracted to and to whom you typically experience romantic attraction.
Romantic attractions include the following:
Though sexual attraction and romantic orientation often align, they may not for everyone.
How Do I Know if I’m Bi, Pan, or Something Else?
Identifying to whom you are attracted and how can happen with or without direct experience. Research has found that core attractions experienced in adulthood often emerge in late childhood and early adolescence. Attraction may also change over time.
You don’t need to have previous experience to identify as having a specific sexual or romantic orientation. However, for some, experiences may help shape identity.
What can be challenging is the stigma and discrimination surrounding identifying or coming out as a sexual identity other than heterosexual (attraction to people of the opposite sex or gender). This leads many people to delay embracing the identity with which they most align.
What Are Gender Stereotypes?
Summary
Though similar, bisexual and pansexual are not the same identity. Both sexual orientations describe people who are attracted emotionally, sexually, or romantically to people of more than one gender. A key difference, however, is that people who identify as pansexual are attracted to every gender, while people who are bisexual are attracted to more than one gender.
There are many misconceptions about both sexual identities. Though sexual orientation and romantic attraction may align for some, they don’t always. Actual experience isn’t necessary to determine sexual orientation or identity. However, for some, experience helps shape identity.
Frequently Asked QuestionsOver a lifetime, a person may experience different types of attraction to different genders. They may also identify with other sexual orientations than they did previously. It may occur after experiencing a different type of attraction or discovering an identity that more closely describes their experience. This is referred to as sexual fluidity.Yes, it is perfectly OK to be more attracted to one gender than another. The spectrum of sexual and romantic attraction is varied and diverse. Numerous misconceptions and myths about attraction contribute to a lack of understanding about the wide range of possible attractions.
Over a lifetime, a person may experience different types of attraction to different genders. They may also identify with other sexual orientations than they did previously. It may occur after experiencing a different type of attraction or discovering an identity that more closely describes their experience. This is referred to as sexual fluidity.
Yes, it is perfectly OK to be more attracted to one gender than another. The spectrum of sexual and romantic attraction is varied and diverse. Numerous misconceptions and myths about attraction contribute to a lack of understanding about the wide range of possible attractions.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Smalley KB, Warren JC, Fernandez IM.Health Equity: A Solutions-Focused Approach. Springer Publishing Company; 2020.Britannica.Pansexuality.PFLAG.LGBTQ+ glossary.American Psychological Association.Understanding bisexuality.The Trevor Project.Understanding bisexuality.Stonewall.5 common misconceptions about pansexuality.LGBT Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.Asexuality, attraction, and romantic orientation.Planned Parenthood.Sexual orientation.Stewart JL, Spivey LA, Widman L, et al.Developmental patterns of sexual identity, romantic attraction, and sexual behavior among adolescents over three years.Journal of Adolescence. 2019;77(1):90-97. doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2019.10.006American Psychological Association.Understanding bisexuality.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Smalley KB, Warren JC, Fernandez IM.Health Equity: A Solutions-Focused Approach. Springer Publishing Company; 2020.Britannica.Pansexuality.PFLAG.LGBTQ+ glossary.American Psychological Association.Understanding bisexuality.The Trevor Project.Understanding bisexuality.Stonewall.5 common misconceptions about pansexuality.LGBT Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.Asexuality, attraction, and romantic orientation.Planned Parenthood.Sexual orientation.Stewart JL, Spivey LA, Widman L, et al.Developmental patterns of sexual identity, romantic attraction, and sexual behavior among adolescents over three years.Journal of Adolescence. 2019;77(1):90-97. doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2019.10.006American Psychological Association.Understanding bisexuality.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Smalley KB, Warren JC, Fernandez IM.Health Equity: A Solutions-Focused Approach. Springer Publishing Company; 2020.Britannica.Pansexuality.PFLAG.LGBTQ+ glossary.American Psychological Association.Understanding bisexuality.The Trevor Project.Understanding bisexuality.Stonewall.5 common misconceptions about pansexuality.LGBT Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.Asexuality, attraction, and romantic orientation.Planned Parenthood.Sexual orientation.Stewart JL, Spivey LA, Widman L, et al.Developmental patterns of sexual identity, romantic attraction, and sexual behavior among adolescents over three years.Journal of Adolescence. 2019;77(1):90-97. doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2019.10.006American Psychological Association.Understanding bisexuality.
Smalley KB, Warren JC, Fernandez IM.Health Equity: A Solutions-Focused Approach. Springer Publishing Company; 2020.
Britannica.Pansexuality.
PFLAG.LGBTQ+ glossary.
American Psychological Association.Understanding bisexuality.
The Trevor Project.Understanding bisexuality.
Stonewall.5 common misconceptions about pansexuality.
LGBT Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.Asexuality, attraction, and romantic orientation.
Planned Parenthood.Sexual orientation.
Stewart JL, Spivey LA, Widman L, et al.Developmental patterns of sexual identity, romantic attraction, and sexual behavior among adolescents over three years.Journal of Adolescence. 2019;77(1):90-97. doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2019.10.006
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