In theory: Bisexuality is attraction to more than one gender, while pansexuality is attraction regardless of gender. For example a bisexual person could be attracted to women and nb people but not to men.
In practice: Mostly synonyms, some years ago ‘pansexual’ was kind of a buzzword to mean ‘inclusive bisexual’ (as in can also be attracted to trans and nb people), but I haven’t met a bi person that wasn’t ‘inclusive’ or that wasn’t attracted to a particular gender like the example above.
I probably fit the “inclusive bisexual” definition better but prefer the label pan. I also like the bi flag better so if I’m ever throwing a flag up it’s usually bi lol. I use pan because I’m agender and it feels kinda weird to say that gender is something I care about when it isn’t, but I find myself more attracted to people that present either androgynous or feminine, but not really masc (except for the ladies sometimes). All that to say, these labels are basically pointless and only serve to (poorly) provide a surface level summary of whatever the hell is going on in our heads
The other commenter gave you the right answer already. But I meant ‘in practice’ literally, as in, if the sexuality of someone matters to decide your course of action, like flirting with them or introducing a friend, they basically mean the same.
Now if you wanted to get technical, pansexual people are technically bisexual (?). Pansexuality would be a special case of bisexuality in which the attraction is equal across the entire gender spectrum.
But as rarWars said it’s hard to put identity into strict rigid definitions. If you think it too hard this model means that every sexuality is just a special case of bisexuality as well, ace is a special case of pan…
The old definition of bisexual is attracted to both men and women. The more correct definition is attracted to more than one gender. So saying “fuck him and fuck her” is limiting to two specific genders and not reflective of what bisexual is.
Bisexuals aren’t exclusively attracted to men and women, nonbinary and agender folks are largely included. Common interpretation of the bi=2 prefex is including 1) same- (homo) and 2) different- (hetero) gender sexuality. Colloquially the difference between bi and pan is usually described as bisexuality allowing for preference for certain genders but not exclusively so, while pansexuality is attraction regardless of gender. A given bisexual might be attracted to twice as many women as men, but that doesn’t mean their attraction to those men isn’t real, you know? Meanwhile a pansexual could have attraction to the exact same people but wouldn’t ascribe it to gender, just individuals. Largely the difference between the two is therefore personal preference in how someone experiences their sexuality.
Wouldn’t Bisexual be fuck him and fuck her, otherwise it would be Pan? Idk I thought I was finally understanding but this graphic confuses more now.
In theory: Bisexuality is attraction to more than one gender, while pansexuality is attraction regardless of gender. For example a bisexual person could be attracted to women and nb people but not to men.
In practice: Mostly synonyms, some years ago ‘pansexual’ was kind of a buzzword to mean ‘inclusive bisexual’ (as in can also be attracted to trans and nb people), but I haven’t met a bi person that wasn’t ‘inclusive’ or that wasn’t attracted to a particular gender like the example above.
Then wouldn’t the “in practice” inclusive bisexual people be pansexual by definition
People don’t label themselves according to rigid definitions.
I probably fit the “inclusive bisexual” definition better but prefer the label pan. I also like the bi flag better so if I’m ever throwing a flag up it’s usually bi lol. I use pan because I’m agender and it feels kinda weird to say that gender is something I care about when it isn’t, but I find myself more attracted to people that present either androgynous or feminine, but not really masc (except for the ladies sometimes). All that to say, these labels are basically pointless and only serve to (poorly) provide a surface level summary of whatever the hell is going on in our heads
The other commenter gave you the right answer already. But I meant ‘in practice’ literally, as in, if the sexuality of someone matters to decide your course of action, like flirting with them or introducing a friend, they basically mean the same.
Now if you wanted to get technical, pansexual people are technically bisexual (?). Pansexuality would be a special case of bisexuality in which the attraction is equal across the entire gender spectrum.
But as rarWars said it’s hard to put identity into strict rigid definitions. If you think it too hard this model means that every sexuality is just a special case of bisexuality as well, ace is a special case of pan…
The old definition of bisexual is attracted to both men and women. The more correct definition is attracted to more than one gender. So saying “fuck him and fuck her” is limiting to two specific genders and not reflective of what bisexual is.
Clue is in the name. Bi-sexual. Two-sexual.
Bisexuals aren’t exclusively attracted to men and women, nonbinary and agender folks are largely included. Common interpretation of the bi=2 prefex is including 1) same- (homo) and 2) different- (hetero) gender sexuality. Colloquially the difference between bi and pan is usually described as bisexuality allowing for preference for certain genders but not exclusively so, while pansexuality is attraction regardless of gender. A given bisexual might be attracted to twice as many women as men, but that doesn’t mean their attraction to those men isn’t real, you know? Meanwhile a pansexual could have attraction to the exact same people but wouldn’t ascribe it to gender, just individuals. Largely the difference between the two is therefore personal preference in how someone experiences their sexuality.
Thanks, that’s the first explanation of the difference that’s actually managed to reduce my confusion.