This article discusses their definitions, similarities, and differences.
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What Is Pansexuality?
“However, a reference to all doesn’t mean everyone.
Vladimir Vladimirov / Getty Images
Rather, it denotes a more inclusive range of attraction.
What Is Bisexuality?
What Is the Difference Between Pansexuality and Bisexuality?
Both sexual orientations experience attraction to more than one gender, gender identity, or sex.
People who identify as bisexual may experience attraction to people of the same gender or sex.
It’s also possible that they are attracted to people who have a different gender or sex from themselves.
However, they may sometimes be attracted romantically or sexually togender-fluidpeople.
Common Misconceptions About Bisexuality and Pansexuality
There are many misconceptions about both sexual orientations.
Some people may also find a pattern to their sexual or romantic attraction, lending itself to an orientation.
How Do I Know if Im Bi, Pan, or Something Else?
Identifying to whom you are attracted and how can happen with or without direct experience.
Research has found that core attractions experienced in adulthood often emerge in late childhood and early adolescence.
Attraction may also change over time.
You don’t need to have previous experience to identify as having a specific sexual or romantic orientation.
However, for some, experiences may help shape identity.
This leads many people to delay embracing the identity with which they most align.
Summary
Though similar, bisexual and pansexual are not the same identity.
There are many misconceptions about both sexual identities.
Though sexual orientation and romantic attraction may align for some, they don’t always.
Actual experience isn’t necessary to determine sexual orientation or identity.
However, for some, experience helps shape identity.
They may also identify with other sexual orientations than they did previously.
This is referred to as sexual fluidity.
Yes, it is perfectly OK to be more attracted to one gender than another.
The spectrum of sexual and romantic attraction is varied and diverse.
Numerous misconceptions and myths about attraction contribute to a lack of understanding about the wide range of possible attractions.
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Stonewall.5 common misconceptions about pansexuality.
LGBT Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.Asexuality, attraction, and romantic orientation.
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