PRISM Inc.
- Apr 16, 2022
- 2 min read

Pansexuality

Updated: 1 day ago

What is Pansexuality?

Pansexuality means an attraction to all gender identities. The prefix “pan” was chosen because it comes from the Greek root meaning “all.” Oftentimes, pansexuality is also defined as "attraction regardless of gender."

Pansexuality and Bisexuality

Pansexuality lies under the Bi+ Umbrella.

While both bisexual and pansexual refer to attraction to multiple genders, pansexuality is commonly considered a more inclusive label. Bisexuality is often misunderstood as meaning "attraction to men and women," and some find this definition to be too limiting. Hence, individuals may choose pansexuality as their label to include non-binary, transgender, gender fluid, and other gender non-conforming people within the scope of their attraction.

Others may identify as pansexual because they consider themselves attracted to others regardless of gender—or, as it's sometimes called, "genderblind." It's important to note, however, that this is not the case for everyone; many pansexuals do have gender preferences.

Ultimately, whether a person decides to identify as bisexual or pansexual is a personal choice and should never be invalidated.

Pansexual Issues

Misconceptions

There are many myths surrounding bi+ identities, like pansexuality. Some of these include:

Pansexuals are really either gay or straight and just need to figure things out
Pansexuality is just a phase—a transition between straight and gay
Pansexuals are more likely to cheat because they are attracted to everyone
Pansexuals are more likely to sleep around because they are attracted to multiple genders
Pansexuals think they are better than bisexuals because they are attracted to people's personalities and not their looks

These myths unfairly marginalize pansexual folx and erase and invalidate their sexuality.

Pansexual Symbols

Pansexual Flag

The pansexual pride flag was created in 2010 on the internet and has grown in popularity since. It has three colored bars: pink on top, yellow in the middle, and blue on the bottom.

Pink - Attraction to those who identify as female Blue - Attraction to those who identify as male

Yellow - Attraction to those who identify outside of the gender binary

The P Symbol

Another common symbol is a “P” with an arrow and crossed tail.

The cross represents the symbol for Venus, which signifies female identity, while the arrow represents the symbol for Mars, signifying male identity. The two combine to form a "P", standing for pansexual.