Differences Between Bisexuality and Pansexuality

The problem with Bisexuality and Pansexuality is that neither orientation exists. They are both states of confusion. People who claim to be either or both aren't yet decided on what sexuality they identify as. This occurs in women more often than men because women are far more likely to be open to experimentation with their sexuality. Women that end up claiming to be either pan or bi are either overly promiscuous or closeted homosexual. Whenever you see a self identifying pan or bi woman settle down(yet still identifying as pan or bi), it is always with another woman. Pan and/or Bi women are almost always homosexual and prefer their own gender with very rare exceptions. Whenever a past identifying pan or bi woman settles down with a man it is because she is done experimenting with her sexuality and has realized she is hetero. Either way pan and bi are just cover terms women use for their sexual confusion. Either meant to excuse promiscuity or hide closeted homosexuality. Mostly women end up feeling that way. On the rare case that a man identifies as either pan, bi or both, it can be attributed to a similar sexual confusion, but with a definite cause behind it . Those men only identify as pan, bi, or both, because their sexual confusion was caused, often purposely, by feminist mothers trying to feminize their sons to further their cause's agenda. In those cases you will always find that, in addition to those radical feminist mother's feminizing indoctrination, there is also a complete absence of a strong male father figure. Those pan, bi, or both, men always grow to adulthood and either become homosexual or hetero. Those few who don't tend to commit suicide at young ages.

The updated understanding of bisexuality is that you are attracted to your own gender + others. I think the notion that “bisexual” is an inherently transphobic label causes unnecessary stigma for those who identify themselves as bisexual.
https://www.pride.com/bisexual/2019/1/17/sara-ramirez-gives-indya-moore-history-lesson-bi…
^At this link you can look at Sara Ramirez putting it in better words than I can.
I just ask that you reframe your relationship to the word “bisexual”.

The reason for me why I wouldn’t come out as pansexual is it sounds a lot like professional (hear me out) because I live in a situation where being gay is “swinging the wrong way” and being bisexual is classified as “swinging both ways” to people that have no desire to learn anything about any sexuality. And because pansexuality isn’t a term that comes up a lot it sounds really silly... like you’re sexually attracted to pots and pans. It’s a term that I’ve seen made fun of, which is kinda hard to deal with for people.

“Pansexuals have no problem dating or sleeping with a transgender person, for example.”
You just insinuated that trans men are actual men and that trans women aren’t actual women. To say that if a bisexual person is attracted to a trans person they are actually pansexual is just transphobic and exclusionary.

We are all human. We don't need to label ourselves. I am bisexual and I am proud. There is no need to label yourselves. We are all different and there is nothing we can do.

I had a crush on a female classmate (I'm female) and I thought, oh, I'm lesbian, but no, no, no, I was bi, because I still liked some of my male classmates. Then I met a pan girl this year, and I asked her what it meant, she said it met that she/he/they could like ALL genders. And a month or two later I met a transgender person for the first time, and that's when I figured out, I shouldn't assume gender on people because there is more than 2 genders, even though everyone (in my school) says there is only two, my friend, trans people, non-binary people, me, and may others say there is more than 2 genders! And I am using this for a compare/contrast essay and this helps a lot! Sorry if there is any grammatical errors.

I always called myself bi, yet I’m dating a non binary person. Most of these comments have just made me more confused. I believe they all state what it means to them? So does that mean bi can be what I want it to be, and I can still be bi sexual and date genderqueer people? Also, you can be bi and date a transgender. For transgender people fall under whichever gender YOU identify them as. I personally identify them as the gender they became with time

Thank you this helped me a lot, because I’m currently struggling on my preference of gender

Doesn't matter what people tag you as, YOU ALL ARE JUST HUMANS!!!!! (We all are!!!!!!)
Is this labelling really important?????? We all are who we are..No Shame.
I'm a bisexual, a I wear it with pride. Don't need to think about so much, just carry on your lives people!! Be happy and mind your own business, you won't earn anything by judging and labelling, so just quit!!!!!!!!

Thank you thank you thank you!!! Now i fit!!!

I was told: mom, I am bisexual. But, boys dont like girls who are Really bi-sexual. They like it if they think it only means seeing a sexual encounter between two hetero girls. ( she used other words here) Otherwise they think that bisexual girls are only lesbians and dont want anything to do with them. They say they are like boys ( her experience only, navigating this process in 2019 at 13 years old) and if a boy likes a bi-girl then it's like saying he is gay. I can only sigh. Hold my tongue, try to share the progress of where we are compared to where we were, love that I have raised a being that feels I see them as that being and can tell me whatever...Alone I cry, cuss and want to beat people up. Why why why. Someone, somewhere, somehow, some phenomenon or whatever resulted in the human populi seeing penis with Male vagina with female and the majority now at this stage-- just know it as that and so, there must be nothing else. Humans just are a people so in need of validation they will go with whatever they have been shown as most popular, most regarded, most supported just....because --even if they themselves have no direct confirmation. That's important because if there is no DiRECT confirmation of ones beliefs
then they are simply implied but not confirmed. Maybe we were given an opportunity to be told something, understand it,learn grow, modify it accept it even-- just to be faced with the ONE thing that could make us re do all of this again, our kids. Newer generations. Kids evolved from all that we have learned thus far. In short, I typed a bunch of words here that mean nothing unless read. They wont be. It's like the labels we keep assigning EVERYTHING. Nothing has any value until we give it some. Give people value. Save the definitions and see the divinity

Well, in some countries your web page would be closed, because talking about sex is a taboo there fore no sexuality labels are needed. Evenmore the act is only legally between man and woman only for breeding reasons and not for having fun and joy. There are also tribal traditions In some of these countries where women have genital cuttings. In Iceland for example was prostitution illegal as well as watching online pornmovies. According to the people of the island pornmovies are insulting to women discrimination their dignity.
Its nothing wrong having no desire for Sex, and Sex does not complete a person. Love or falling in love is not Sex, and Sex is not Love eventhough you can not claim to be in love with a person without having had a complete relation. I don't believe that persons of same gender fall in love or have attraction its just they hate each other want to punish or humble each other. You can also be loved by your surroundings and you don't need to need to have Sex because you already receive respect
So Breeding is just a choice or/and way of life-tradition, and not an organic or mental issue
P.S Breed boys, treat them as boys and don't ware them dresses, don't let them play with dolls.

I happened upon this site while trying to clarify the difference between bisexuality and pansexuality. (I am a psychologist and wish to be sensitive to the terms people use to describe themselves.)
My sense is that the meaning of certain words or labels may be evolving and this may add to confusion in communication. For example, there are two sexes, male and female. This is determined genetically. It used to be (I'm an older person) that the word "gender" was used to mean the same thing, e.g. on a form, you might be asked to identify your sex or gender - and there were two choices.
With changes in cultural understanding, people are now aware that there is something else called "gender identity" which, as of now, has no biological markers. It is based on a discernment of one's sense of oneself as male or female. Since we don't know what causes there to be differences between one's sex and one's gender identity, we do not consider mismatches (e.g. genetic male who identifies as female) to be a "disorder" but a variation in how people are. This variation is generally referred to as being transexual ("trans").
Sometimes trans people pursue a change in primary or secondary sexual characteristics through surgery/hormones. They remain genetically the sex they were born but may live their lives according to their gender identity, without or without medical intervention.
A more recent development in cultural awareness or expression is that there are some people whose gender identity may be both (as in fluid) or neither (as in asexual). Again, with no biological markers, this is something that people discern based on how they experience themselves. It is not clear to me if there has always been a significant number of people who identify as both or neither, or whether this is a cultural development. It is hard to know since open discussion of gender identity is a relatively recent phenomenon.
Gender identity is different from sexual orientation, the latter being the sex one is attracted to male or female (or both or neither). "Attraction" here means feeling inclined to engage in sexual behavior with someone, not simply thinking that someone is nice-looking or has a fun personality, etc.
However, issues of sexual orientation have become more complicated as more trans folks medically change their outward sexual characteristics and clothing/pronouns. Does one's sexual orientation include attraction to people who have made these changes? I think that must be a personal decision and doesn't need yet more labels - just discussion between the individuals considering a relationship.
With regard to people who are born with ambiguous genitalia or extra or missing chromosomes, these are "disorders", i.e. medical conditions caused by problems in development. Having such a medical condition does not make a person less worthy of love and respect. It is simply a challenge, as are many medical conditions.
In the end, we are all just people, seeking to live our lives in a happy and healthy way. I hope my comments haven't offended anyone and I don't mind being politely corrected if someone feels I am mistaken.

hiiii. So this article really helped. So thank you. I'm still a tiny bit confused though. My question is, if I'm bi, and feel attracted to transgenders, would I still be considered bisexual?

for some of the dumb people on here, THERE ARE MORE THAN 2 GENDERS. but there are 2 sexes (if you are not including intersex people). Sexes are male and female and gender is if you are a man or woman, and there are many other genders that people are unaware of. a bi person can be attracted to a transgender person, say they are ftm trans that person was born as a female but identifies their gender to be a boy. a bi person is attracted to the opposite and same sexes, or genders, which still works with a transgender person, they may be biologically female or male but they identify as a man or woman, a bi person can like a man that is trans or woman that is trans because they are attracted to those sexes or genders, some trans people don't identify as being boy or girl but as a different gender which I think pansexuals are attracted to.

Let's all identify as humansexual and call it a day.

A buzz term for changing times. Celebs like Miley Cyrus will jump all over it for attention. There will not be equality as long as racial and sexual labels exist.

My view on bi and pan is they're both basically the same thing but with pan you are making it clear that you are comfortable with being with anybody who falls under any category of non binary and such.
Like the definition of Bi is "romantically or sexually attracted to both men and women. While pan is "not limited in sexual choice with regard to biological sex, gender, or gender identity."
To me, Bi and Pan are the same thing and can be used almost completely interchangeably, one of them just makes it clear they are open to all.
However to some people there may be a big difference in using one or the other. For example, someone identifies as bi and while they are supportive of whereever people fall on the gender spectrum, they personally prefer a life partner who conforms to a single gender and therefore identify as bi rather than pan. Or a bi person might have no preference what-so-ever but chooses to identify as bi simply because it is more commonly known.
I feel that it largely depends on the person because gender, attraction, and sexuality are very fluid things.
This is in no way supposed to be attacking bi people by saying they only think there are two genders, in case some people see it that way.

I really like Judi's reply. I had not heard the term pansexual until about a half hour ago. So I googled it and got here. Seems to me, losing the labels and just saying you are attracted to the person you are attracted to should suffice.

I apologize to any and all that may be offended by the comment I am about to post because I sincerely care about every individual on this planet and want everybody to be comfortable in their own skin and happy as people, BUT, seriously, most of you PEOPLE (I guess unless you identify as a non-person, like an animal or plant, or a rock for that matter) are getting way too hung up on labels and on wanting to fuss and fight about something that really shouldn't be anybody's business in the first place. Is it really necessary to have to constantly define and redefine your sexual status or preferences?! Reading all of your posts just now made me feel like I had entered the twilight zone. Most of society could seriously not care less about what subtleties and nuances of your gender and/or your sexual preferences are. It's because of juvenile discussions like what I just read that gives the LGBTQ-MNOP community the stigma that you are all out of your minds. But then of course, many of you go and blame the people who really are just indifferent, and trying to lead normal satisfying lives themselves, (and rightly so, imho) about your constant inventing of new labels to identify every lustful feeling or emotional whim that happens to strike you, and the subsequent blabbering about how you should label such feelings and make it forcefully known to everyone you talk to that you identify as x,y, or z. It's my sincere belief that you are not only hurting society by shoving this nonsense down our throats at every chance you can, but you are doing real damage to your very own psyche and emotional well-being as well. Sometimes, actually, I think MOST times, it's better for you to just be, and enjoy the moment, and stop worrying so much about how you're going to be perceived if you don't use what you believe to be the correct nomenclature regarding your sexual status. As the psychologists of the world today (and prior to psychological science, those who studied the anatomy of the soul) tend to say or relate, the world that you perceive around you and your perceptions of the way that everyone in the world view you, is more often than not, like a mirror showing you a reflection of how you actually perceive yourself. If you feel that people are hung up on gender identity, and on sexual preference, it's most likely the case that it is yourself having unresolved feelings regarding these issues. If it's animosity that you think you are perceiving from the outside world regarding these issues, more likely than not it's your own subconscious trying to tell you something, and for whatever reasons, you may have built up animosity or resentment towards yourself. My advice would be threefold; to be yourself, try not to obsess about it, and stop trying to conform to labels or add unneeded pressure onto yourself by thinking that you need a definitive status regarding why you had a particular emotion or feeling about something related to sexuality. Otherwise, you just might drive yourselves crazy with emotional insecurities, and cause undue stress and confusion to yourself. In a way, by conforming to what you think or perceive as society in general being concerned with your sexual preferences or identity, you just might be like the self-fulfilling prophet, and in actuality be the one who is provoking negative responses from others when they weren't there to begin with.

Honestly I just don't label myself, makes things easier. I guess I identify as Pansexual but I go with the flow and ride the wave. I hate having that annoying talk about my pansexuality so I keep it on the low and say I'm bi. No too much different and more well known.

Please read this article instead-
https://www.minus18.org.au/index.php/resources/sexuality-info/item/647-bisexual-vs-pansex…
It better explains the pan vs bi conversation better. Don't be fooled by the "bi" in bisexual and think it has to mean only 2 genders. Again the article I listed above really describes the differences much better than I ever could in this comment section.

Honestly, it just seems like "pansexuality" is a... modernized?...term that has the same essential meaning as bisexuality. In a time when there are labels for EVERYTHING, it seems necessary to make room for "extra" genders... though I would have considered a trans person to be included in the "male" or "female" genders. I mostly feel like applying so many labels to gender is a mess, and is mixing up gender identity with gender rolls and sexuality where it isn't necessary to do so... but maybe that's just the new normal. Either way... my view has been and remains that sexuality is a spectrum, without easily defined boundaries. My husband identifies as bi or pan, depending on the conversation, but means the same thing either way. I don't really label myself, but am attracted to individuals of both/all genders. It's not nearly as complicated as people try to make it.

Hey I wanted to just comment that saying the whole pans don’t mind dating someone who is transgender after talking about bisexuals only dating male and female is in a way saying that transgender people aren’t qualified as male or female. A transgender woman is a woman and a transgender man is a man and would fall under the bisexual binary of if a person went for male or female. I apologize for the terrible wording of this comment, I hope I got my point across but otherwise I apreciate the forum!

Interestingly enough bisexuality doesn't refer to being attracted to men and women but actually refers to being attracted to two genders.

I really think that there is not really a difference I believe that trans people are the gender that they became/becoming fully so personally I identify as bi because the trans process is wanting to be and being the gender of your choice. So the difference is very small.

I completely accept both sexualitys (despite personally believing that they should/could be the same). The article above states that "Bisexuality implies that there are only two genders, that being male and female. Pansexuality, on the other hand, implies that there are more than two genders. Pansexuals have no problem dating or sleeping with a transgender person...". this annoys me because to me it seems that transgender women and men arn't being thought of as being a man or women which is what they want. by implying that a bi-sexual person will only date a cis man or woman but a pan-sexual person is open to both, makes me feel like you're not recognising what a trans person is which is a MAN or a WOMEN ( or non-binary). if anything a pan person should be thought of as someone who doesn't care what the person identifies as, for example men, women, and non-binary (if you want to add other genders go for it i guess). At the end of the day this is only my opinion and i dont expect everyone to agree or for it to be right.