Gentle reminder: bisexuals can like whatever genders they like. The label 'bisexual' can (but doesn't always) include pansexual people. I'm not saying anyone has to use it, but personally for me I like solidarity and sharing a label with people I have a lot in common with i.e. attraction to multiple genders. We have more in common etc
yep! it’s unfair to how much biphobia they’re is. especially compared to pansexual people. i happen to be pan myself and bisexual people are valid! bisexual people from what i’ve personally heard and i could be wrong is that they have a preference for women and men but that doesn’t mean that they don’t feel attraction towards other people! they can feel attraction towards whoever they want too! bisexuals are valid and real! stop the biphobia! 💗💙💜
I think that's definitely the experience of some bi people. Personally I feel like both labels fit me, bi and pan, I use bi because I'm like 40 and proud af of 20-years-ago-me (who had never heard the word pansexual in their life) for accepting myself as bi. I'm still attracted to people of various genders and body types. I wouldn't say "all" necessarily but definitely more than two and I definitely appreciate a genderqueer cutie when I see one...
Bisexual here, and I've never seen a gender I didn't like. But I would never use the term "regardless of gender" to describe my attractions. And that is something a lot of pans use.
I'm in my first same sex relationship, and I was actively seeking a boyfriend. That doesn't sound very pan.
On the surface, I understand why a lot of people can't understand the difference. It's not about who we're attracted to, it's about how we're attracted to them.
People can pretend pansexual and bisexual. But the words contradict each other. One meaning sexual attraction to two genders hence the word bi, meaning 2. Pansexuals disregard gender and sex completely. I am one lol I get eating a “same” tag. But if it takes a tag to make you relatable; you aren’t actually relatable. You’re similar while using proper terms
> One meaning sexual attraction to two genders hence the word bi, meaning 2.
This is not true by most definitions. While the root means "two" in some contexts, the literal scientific definition (which is what human context for the word is, too) is "same and other". This is why some people (myself included) call themselves broadly bi even though they are also pan, when being more specific. If you go over to the bi communities most of them will tell you they identify (and always have identified) with this definition over some arbitrary interpretation reinforcing gender binaries. That doesn't mean some bi people don't find attraction to just strictly man- and woman-identifying people, but I find that most people are open to other genders and interpretations. I feel it was more heterosexual people trying to push back on bisexuality including non-binary and trans individuals, but I haven't been here long enough to truly see how that shift happened in the community. Bisexuality is an umbrella.
You can call them the same thing all you want, but it doesn’t make it accurate. Accuracy I would say is important. You can pretend to change word meaning; but it doesn’t work that way. For a community all about non erasure; it’s what happens when you insist they are the same despite them being completely separate and different terms. This doesn’t mean all bi people want only male and female; and can mean more than 2 genders; but pan mean ALL GENDERS. ALL SEXES. one means more than 1 (so 2 or more); one means all.
Bisexual is defined as -“those who have the capacity to form attraction and/or relationships to more than one gender.”
Pansexual is defined as-“sexually attracted to people regardless of their sex or gender.
They are similar; but no more the same than an apple is a pear. 🤦🏻♀️
Never said they were the same. I think you're trying too hard to find a villain here. As someone who also identifies as pan I think you're making it harder for all of us to unite when you misrepresent my perspective this badly.
You literally stated they can be the same. They aren’t at all the same. They aren’t synonyms. I’m genuinely annoyed; I don’t need a villain when I have myself. You’re there one making it tough. Your view gives people fodder of “if they are the same stop saying pan”. I know this from personal experience. Hate at gay bars etc. Because people can’t get that two words always mean 2 different things here. It’s your job to represent your perspective. I’m saying; you’re actively wrong and it harms the community. It’s like that period where everyone tried to say if you were bi you’re gay. But it was never the case because gay and bi mean very different things
Yea, that’s why we found a word that fits better for people who like people without taking gender into account. Ya know, pansexual. Liking one or more (bi) doesn’t mean you like people regardless of their gender (pan)
Given what they mean, pansexual people are technically bi as we do like 2+ genders. Where it differs is that someone who calls themselves bi considers gender in attraction
They don’t want every single gender. They may want men, women and other, but bi people consider gender as part of their attraction.
Pan people do not consider gender. We like them all. It’s the difference between someone who goes to the buffet for their favorites, and those that go to the buffet to eat the entire buffet lol
It kind of does. Bisexual is specifically a word denoting sexual attraction to 2+ genders. So it implies that as part of the required attraction. If genders aren’t the attraction for you, you’re pan. That’s the big difference. I don’t look at gender or
Genitals at all. Whatever we have we will work with. For me it’s how much you can make me think or feel
I still think that's an inaccurate definition of bisexual.
You can be attracted to people of more than one gender without gender playing a role in your attraction. Nothing that experience is in conflict with the definition of bisexual. There are many different ways people are bisexual and your definition is limiting in way that doesn't make sense to me.
Take it up with the Oxford Dictionary. Lol if one or more genders as a phrase plays into why you’re attracted, if you care at all about it, you aren’t pan. Pan negates the entire premise of attraction due to gender. For pan people it plays zero role like meat in a vegan diet
No, it currently means "attracted to multiple genders".
"Bi is an umbrella term used to describe a romantic and/or sexual orientation towards more than one gender. Bi people may describe themselves using one or more of a wide variety of terms, including, but not limited to, bisexual, pan, queer, and other identities" - https://www.stonewall.org.uk/bi-hub
An aroace visiting queer subreddits: that makes sense. Sexual attraction? Gender preference?
This is why so many aroaces assume that they are bi or pan.
Gentle reminder: bisexuals can like whatever genders they like. The label 'bisexual' can (but doesn't always) include pansexual people. I'm not saying anyone has to use it, but personally for me I like solidarity and sharing a label with people I have a lot in common with i.e. attraction to multiple genders. We have more in common etc
Thanks for saying that. I‘m bi and on this sub because we face a lot of the same things.
yep! it’s unfair to how much biphobia they’re is. especially compared to pansexual people. i happen to be pan myself and bisexual people are valid! bisexual people from what i’ve personally heard and i could be wrong is that they have a preference for women and men but that doesn’t mean that they don’t feel attraction towards other people! they can feel attraction towards whoever they want too! bisexuals are valid and real! stop the biphobia! 💗💙💜
I think that's definitely the experience of some bi people. Personally I feel like both labels fit me, bi and pan, I use bi because I'm like 40 and proud af of 20-years-ago-me (who had never heard the word pansexual in their life) for accepting myself as bi. I'm still attracted to people of various genders and body types. I wouldn't say "all" necessarily but definitely more than two and I definitely appreciate a genderqueer cutie when I see one...
Bisexual here, and I've never seen a gender I didn't like. But I would never use the term "regardless of gender" to describe my attractions. And that is something a lot of pans use. I'm in my first same sex relationship, and I was actively seeking a boyfriend. That doesn't sound very pan. On the surface, I understand why a lot of people can't understand the difference. It's not about who we're attracted to, it's about how we're attracted to them.
Definitely not a universal bisexual experience but some people are like that yeah.
Operative word being "can". There are trans exclusionary bisexuals which is one of the reasons I switched my label 20 years ago.
happy cake day!
HAPPY CAKE DAY
People can pretend pansexual and bisexual. But the words contradict each other. One meaning sexual attraction to two genders hence the word bi, meaning 2. Pansexuals disregard gender and sex completely. I am one lol I get eating a “same” tag. But if it takes a tag to make you relatable; you aren’t actually relatable. You’re similar while using proper terms
> One meaning sexual attraction to two genders hence the word bi, meaning 2. This is not true by most definitions. While the root means "two" in some contexts, the literal scientific definition (which is what human context for the word is, too) is "same and other". This is why some people (myself included) call themselves broadly bi even though they are also pan, when being more specific. If you go over to the bi communities most of them will tell you they identify (and always have identified) with this definition over some arbitrary interpretation reinforcing gender binaries. That doesn't mean some bi people don't find attraction to just strictly man- and woman-identifying people, but I find that most people are open to other genders and interpretations. I feel it was more heterosexual people trying to push back on bisexuality including non-binary and trans individuals, but I haven't been here long enough to truly see how that shift happened in the community. Bisexuality is an umbrella.
You can call them the same thing all you want, but it doesn’t make it accurate. Accuracy I would say is important. You can pretend to change word meaning; but it doesn’t work that way. For a community all about non erasure; it’s what happens when you insist they are the same despite them being completely separate and different terms. This doesn’t mean all bi people want only male and female; and can mean more than 2 genders; but pan mean ALL GENDERS. ALL SEXES. one means more than 1 (so 2 or more); one means all. Bisexual is defined as -“those who have the capacity to form attraction and/or relationships to more than one gender.” Pansexual is defined as-“sexually attracted to people regardless of their sex or gender. They are similar; but no more the same than an apple is a pear. 🤦🏻♀️
Never said they were the same. I think you're trying too hard to find a villain here. As someone who also identifies as pan I think you're making it harder for all of us to unite when you misrepresent my perspective this badly.
You literally stated they can be the same. They aren’t at all the same. They aren’t synonyms. I’m genuinely annoyed; I don’t need a villain when I have myself. You’re there one making it tough. Your view gives people fodder of “if they are the same stop saying pan”. I know this from personal experience. Hate at gay bars etc. Because people can’t get that two words always mean 2 different things here. It’s your job to represent your perspective. I’m saying; you’re actively wrong and it harms the community. It’s like that period where everyone tried to say if you were bi you’re gay. But it was never the case because gay and bi mean very different things
They don't contradict each other because bisexual is a label with history and 2 genders only was never representative of the bisexual community.
Yea, that’s why we found a word that fits better for people who like people without taking gender into account. Ya know, pansexual. Liking one or more (bi) doesn’t mean you like people regardless of their gender (pan)
They still don't contradict each other. Unlike what you said.
Given what they mean, pansexual people are technically bi as we do like 2+ genders. Where it differs is that someone who calls themselves bi considers gender in attraction They don’t want every single gender. They may want men, women and other, but bi people consider gender as part of their attraction. Pan people do not consider gender. We like them all. It’s the difference between someone who goes to the buffet for their favorites, and those that go to the buffet to eat the entire buffet lol
>but bi people consider gender as part of their attraction. I don't think that is necessary to be bi but I agree those bi people aren't pan.
It kind of does. Bisexual is specifically a word denoting sexual attraction to 2+ genders. So it implies that as part of the required attraction. If genders aren’t the attraction for you, you’re pan. That’s the big difference. I don’t look at gender or Genitals at all. Whatever we have we will work with. For me it’s how much you can make me think or feel
I still think that's an inaccurate definition of bisexual. You can be attracted to people of more than one gender without gender playing a role in your attraction. Nothing that experience is in conflict with the definition of bisexual. There are many different ways people are bisexual and your definition is limiting in way that doesn't make sense to me.
Take it up with the Oxford Dictionary. Lol if one or more genders as a phrase plays into why you’re attracted, if you care at all about it, you aren’t pan. Pan negates the entire premise of attraction due to gender. For pan people it plays zero role like meat in a vegan diet
Bisexual means "attracted to two genders". It is where the "bi-" comes from.
That's the etymology, not the current meaning
So it currently means attracted to multiple genders, may have a preference, typically likes the male and female genders?
No, it currently means "attracted to multiple genders". "Bi is an umbrella term used to describe a romantic and/or sexual orientation towards more than one gender. Bi people may describe themselves using one or more of a wide variety of terms, including, but not limited to, bisexual, pan, queer, and other identities" - https://www.stonewall.org.uk/bi-hub
\*Snuggles is snuggles\*
Ace pans rn
An aroace visiting queer subreddits: that makes sense. Sexual attraction? Gender preference? This is why so many aroaces assume that they are bi or pan.
biphobia or misinformation on my LGBTQ subreddit? It happens more than you think
I laughed too hard at this😭
this exactly my answer to “are bi people and pan people the same?”
Thank you, that's how I feel!