What does it mean to be pansexual?

Pansexuality is a sexual orientation defined by the potential for attraction to people regardless of their gender identity or sex assigned at birth. In simple terms, pansexual people are attracted to others based on who they are as individuals, not the gender box they fit into.

The term itself comes from the Greek prefix “pan”, meaning "all," paired with "sexual" – but that doesn’t mean pansexual people are attracted to everyone. Instead, gender just isn’t the determining factor in who they might fall for or feel connected to. As The Trevor Project puts it, pansexuality is “the attraction to people regardless of gender.”

How is pansexuality different from bisexuality?

Both pansexual and bisexual people experience attraction to more than one gender, but the way people define or relate to each term can be different. Bisexuality typically refers to attraction to two or more genders – often, but not always, one’s own gender and another. Pansexuality, by contrast, often emphasizes that gender is not a relevant factor at all in attraction.

Some pan people describe themselves as “gender-blind” in who they’re drawn to. Both are valid identities, and there’s a lot of personal preference in how someone chooses to identify. As Verywell Health notes, many people see bisexuality and pansexuality as overlapping but distinct ways of describing diverse sexual attraction.

Clearing up common misconceptions

Despite growing visibility, myths about pansexuality persist. Let’s clear a few up:

• Pansexuality doesn’t mean being attracted to everyone. Just like anyone else, pan people have preferences, types, turn-offs, and boundaries.
• It’s not just a phase or a trend. Pansexuality is a real, enduring orientation that has been around long before it became more widely known.
• Pansexuality is not the same as polyamory. Being pan describes who you’re attracted to, not how many people you date or love. You can be monogamous, polyamorous, single, or any other relationship style and still be pan.

The flag, the feelings, and the visibility

The pansexual pride flag is a bright and meaningful symbol of the community. It features three horizontal stripes – pink/magenta for attraction to the same gender/women, yellow for attraction to non-binary or gender-diverse people, and blue/cyan for attraction to a different gender/men. It’s bold, it’s joyful, and it represents inclusivity across the gender spectrum.

Pansexual Visibility Day, also known as Pansexual Awareness Day or Pan Day of Visibility, is celebrated on May 24 and exists to uplift pan voices and experiences. Increased representation in media and everyday conversations has helped bring pansexuality into the public eye, though there's still work to be done in terms of recognition, understanding, and respect.

So what does it feel like to be pan?

For many pansexual people, discovering and naming their orientation can be a moment of immense relief – like finally finding a word that fits your identity. It can also come with challenges, especially when people outside the LGBTQIA+ community (or even within it) misunderstand or invalidate the identity. That’s why it’s so important to foster supportive spaces where people can express their full selves without judgment. As WebMD notes, visibility and affirmation play a critical role in mental health and belonging.

How to support pansexual people

At the end of the day, supporting someone who is pan is about what you’d expect – treating them with respect, using the language they use for themselves, and not making assumptions. Here's a quick list to keep in mind:

• Respect their identity, even if it’s different from your own.
• Don’t pressure someone to explain or defend their orientation.
• Understand that pan people, like everyone, deserve relationships free from stereotypes or judgment.
• Include pan perspectives when talking about LGBTQIA+ issues. Inclusion means everyone.