They are related but distinct concepts. Many people identify as bisexual their whole lives. Nonbinary people could identify as bigender, agender, or genderfluid, to name only a few terms. “Bisexual” and “pansexual” are two different ways to describe sexual orientation. Perhaps they like pastels but not dark colors. Gender isn’t a binary, meaning that people don’t all fall into the categories of “men” or “women.”. Many people still disagree on what the basic concepts of gender and sexual identity mean. Pansexual people may describe their attraction as focusing on personality rather than gender. There is not a right or wrong answer. These are different because “multiple” isn’t the same thing as “all.”. Many people use “queer” because they aren’t sure how to describe their orientation, or because their orientation feels fluid and changes over time. Sian Ferguson is a freelance writer and editor based in Cape Town, South Africa. This is because “all colors” is, by definition, more than one. Understanding the full range of concepts and identifying what works can sometimes take time. Am I romantically attracted to the same people I’m sexually attracted to. Learn more about what to expect from different forms of this surgery…. For example, people with a pansexual orientation may feel an attraction to the personality of someone who is agender. What exactly does it mean to be pansexual? There are overlaps between the two, but they are distinct. A lot of people assume bisexuality is a “stepping-stone” to homosexuality, but this isn’t true. So, are bisexual people only attracted to men and women, and not nonbinary people? Someone who is pansexual can have the same level of attraction to people of any gender. To some people, it means attraction to two or more genders, or multiple genders. It is important to note that identifying as pansexual does not mean feeling attracted to everyone, just as a heterosexual male does not feel an attraction to every female, and vice versa. © 2005-2020 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Gender identity is based on psychological and social factors, as well…, Female-to-male gender-affirming surgery may involve the creation of a new penis. In this article, we outline some differences between bisexuality and pansexuality. Nonbinary people have been acknowledged by, and as a part of, the bisexual community for many decades. For example, someone who identifies as bisexual may feel attracted to those who are gender-fluid, male, or nonbinary but not those who are female. Beyond bisexual and pansexual, there are other words to describe your orientation, including: This isn’t a comprehensive list of sexual orientations — more and more words are being coined to describe people’s unique experiences of sexual orientation. Again, bisexuality and pansexuality don’t mean exactly the same thing, and it’s completely valid to identify as either (or both!). There is also a difference in the type of attraction that a person might experience. What community do I feel comfortable with? No matter the reason, you’re allowed to change the way you describe your orientation. Many pansexual people describe themselves as being attracted to people based on personality, not gender. And when bisexual and pansexual people date someone publicly, it’s often assumed that they’re picking a side. So, “both genders” is a misnomer. Generally, if someone identifies as bisexual, they feel an attraction to more than one gender. Yes! Is there any gender — or group of genders — that I’m not sure if I’m attracted to? The truth is that both orientations are valid in their own right. Additionally, many pansexual people know that the definition of bisexual can include nonbinary people. Learn more about the differences between sex and gender. Sexual orientation can change over time. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For example, someone who is transgender and undergoing a transition might feel as though they do not fit into the spectrum. Traditional binary approaches exclude many people who do not fit into that model. For example, someone may feel a romantic attraction to one gender but a sexual attraction to another. Is it OK to be more attracted to one gender than another? It simply means that they find themselves attracted to people of all sorts of gender categories. Read on to learn about the different types…, Mutual masturbation is fairly safe, can help you master your moves better than any tutorial, and it practically guarantees a happy ending for all…, Talking to a partner about STIs doesn’t have to be a cringe-worthy affair. Can you identify with more than one of these terms?