Pansexuality, the | pansexual (adj.)
The term "pan" derives from Greek, meaning "everything". Pansexuality is a sexual orientation where a person can experience romantic and/or sexual attraction towards individuals, irrespective of their sex or gender. In other words, pansexual individuals can feel attracted to all gender identities. It is one of the polysexual orientations.
Although the term pansexuality has been used since the 1960s, the prejudice that this form of sexuality is a fad persists (Echte Vielfalt 2022). Nevertheless, even before the 1960s, there were people for whom the gender of the other person played no role in romantic and sexual relationships. Another prejudice against pansexual people is the idea that they are immediately attracted to all people (Echte Vielfalt 2022). Just like people of all other sexual orientations, there are attractive and unattractive traits and characteristics for pansexual people; however, these are not related to gender identity.
It is often difficult to differentiate between pansexuality and bisexuality, as both sexualities describe a desire for multiple genders. While pansexuality refers to desire independent of gender, bisexuality is a desire of at least two genders. Which term people who desire multiple genders can better identify with depends on their personal experience of their sexuality. Some people also use both terms to describe themselves (Echte Vielfalt 2022).
Like any other sexual orientation, pansexuality is diverse and is experienced and lived out individually.
Sources (in German)
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"Pansexuality" (2023): Queer Lexicon, accessed 12.12.2023
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"Misconceptions about pansexuality, set straight" (2022): Real Diversity, accessed 12/12/2023
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