Pansexuality: What It Means

Written by Nicole Schmidt
Medically Reviewed by Shruthi N, MD on January 28, 2025
7 min read

Pansexuality is the romantic, emotional, and/or sexual attraction to people regardless of their gender. Like everyone else, pansexual people may be attracted to some people and not others, but the gender of the person does not matter. People of any gender identity can and do identify as pansexual. Some people use the terms “bisexual” and “pansexual” interchangeably, but there are distinctions between the two.

Some people prefer the term “omnisexual” to “pansexual.” That's because the term pansexuality implies that attraction to people has nothing to do with gender. In contrast, people who prefer the term omnisexual can be attracted to people of any gender but find that gender is still a factor in their attraction. 

Both “pan” and “omni” mean “all,” and the distinction between omnisexuality and pansexuality is hazy. Some people use them interchangeably.

Bisexuality, at its core, involves attraction to people of two or more genders, while pansexuality means attraction to a person regardless of gender. Polysexuality refers to attraction to people of many, but not all genders.

It is important to note that while a bisexual or pansexual person may be attracted to people of different genders or regardless of gender, this does not mean that they are automatically attracted to all people of those genders, just as a straight woman is not necessarily attracted to all men.

Pansexual vs. bisexual

Pansexuality and bisexuality are similar, but not quite the same. Pansexuality is broader than bisexuality, and people who identify as pansexual may be attracted to people of all genders. Bisexuality involves attraction to two or moregenders, but not necessarily all. People who identify as bisexual may be pansexual, but not necessarily. Some people prefer to identify as bisexual even if they may be pansexual simply because the term “bisexual” is more commonly recognized.

Pansexual vs. polysexual

The distinction between these two terms is that pansexuality is broader than polysexuality. Unlike bisexuality, polysexuality specifically implies that there are some genders to which the person is not attracted. Poly means many, but not all. 

For example, someone who is polysexual may be attracted to people of every gender except for women. Meanwhile, a pansexual person may be attracted to men, women, nonbinary people, and people of any other gender identity.

Some people wrongly assume that being attracted to all genders means that pansexual people act on their attraction more often than others. This misconception feeds into the harmful stereotype that pansexual people are sexually forward. However, pansexual people — like anyone else, regardless of their sexuality — are individuals with their own preferences for the amount of sexual activity they want. Some may be highly sexually active, while others may prefer not to have sex at all.

Just because someone is pansexual, it also doesn’t mean that they’re attracted to everyone that they meet — just as a straight woman isn’t attracted to every man she meets, and vice versa. Pansexuality means having the potential to be attracted to people of any gender, but attraction is not the default.

These stereotypes often lead to false notions such as the idea that pansexual people are less likely to commit to monogamous relationships. Pansexual people are just as likely as hetero- or homosexual people to prefer monogamy. Pansexuality is not the same thing as polyamory, or having multiple relationships at once. Being attracted to people of any gender has no connection to a preference for having multiple partners.

People often confuse pansexuality with bisexuality; while there are some similarities, they’re not the same thing. Bisexuality generally means being attracted to two or more genders, but not necessarily all genders. Pansexuality, on the other hand, emphasizes that gender is not important when it comes to attraction. 

It’s also common for people to dismiss pansexuality altogether, either by wrongly assuming pansexual people are confused or unable to make up their minds or by labeling pansexuality a passing fad. In reality, the term has existed since the early 1900s and has been used in its current meaning since the 1960s. Pansexuality is a valid and long-recognized sexual identity that reflects the diversity of human attraction.

Pansexual people have been historically underrepresented in the media, and when they are included, the portrayal isn’t always positive. A survey by the charity Just Like Us found that 47% of respondents aged 18 to 25 felt pansexual people were “rarely or never” shown in a positive light. But as awareness and acceptance of different sexual identities grow, representation is slowly improving. 

While pansexual characters remain less visible than other identities, their inclusion — though sometimes imperfect — has sparked important conversations about pansexuality and the need for more accurate portrayals beyond stereotypes.

Pansexual celebrities 

Over the past few years, some well-known celebrities have openly discussed their pansexuality. These include:

  • Miley Cyrus
  • Janelle Monae 
  • Angel Haze
  • Jazz Jennings 
  • JoJo Siwa 
  • Bella Thorne 
  • Cara Delevingne 
  • Brandon Urie 
  • Demi Lovato 
  • Caldwell Tidicue (AKA Bob the Drag Queen)

Pansexual characters 

Pansexual characters appear more often in TV shows, movies, and books. One of the most notable is David Rose from Schitt’s Creek (played by Dan Levy). In the Emmy-winning series, David uses a wine analogy to explain pansexuality, saying he drinks all types. “I like wine, not the label,” he says. This memorable scene has been praised for bringing sexual fluidity into the mainstream with humor and clarity.

Other notable fictional pansexual characters include:

  • Ola, from Sex Education
  • Rick Sanchez, from Rick and Morty
  • Klaus Hargreeves, from The Umbrella Academy
  • Deadpool, from Deadpool
  • Sadie Miller, from Steven Universe
  • Jadzia Dax, from Star Trek

Pansexual people are attracted to others regardless of gender, so they can find themselves in a wide variety of relationships. These relationships may be “straight-passing,” or they may be clearly nonheterosexual. Regardless of their partner’s gender, a pansexual person remains pansexual — they often do not experience “straight-passing” privilege. Instead, they may experience microaggressions as their sexuality is ignored or dismissed.

As with every relationship, it’s important for anyone partnered with a pansexual person to discuss boundaries. Neither partner should make any assumptions about things such as monogamy, sexual acts, or general preferences. Every pansexual person is different and has their own preferences. If you’re in a relationship with someone who is pansexual, it’s important to respect them and their boundaries.

Figuring out your sexual identity can take time, and it’s perfectly okay to explore new feelings or attractions while you’re discovering what feels right for you. If you find that someone’s gender doesn’t matter as much as their personality or the connection you share, you might be pansexual. Pansexuality means feeling open to forming romantic or sexual connections with people of any gender — whether they’re male, female, nonbinary, or another identity.

It’s important to remember that labels are simply tools to help you understand yourself — they don’t define your worth or experiences. You don’t need to pick a label for your sexuality to be valid, and it’s completely okay if your understanding of yourself evolves or changes over time.

While you don’t need to come out to your loved ones as pansexual, some people find it to be helpful or cathartic. If you choose to come out, you can explain pansexuality as being a natural attraction to people regardless of gender. Some pansexual activists use the phrase “Hearts, not parts” to explain this orientation. While the phrase is a bit too simple, it can be a useful tool when talking with people who aren’t familiar with LGBTQ terminology. 

If you’re talking to your loved ones about pansexuality because you have a new partner, you should talk with your partner first. If a new relationship is spurring you to come out, then you are likely dating someone else who falls under the LGBTQ+ umbrella. If you come out, you may be outing your partner as well. This can have serious effects on your partner’s life. 

If your partner would prefer to remain in the closet, then you may choose to wait before coming out yourself out of respect for their privacy.

Sexual identity is deeply personal and unique to each individual, but pansexuality generally means that your attraction to others isn’t based on gender. Pansexual people have historically faced stereotypes and a lack of representation in the media, but awareness and acceptance of different sexual identities are steadily growing. If you’re exploring your own sexuality, be patient with yourself — your understanding can change and evolve over time. For support, try talking with close friends or connecting with others in the LGBTQ+ community.

What is the symbol of pansexuality? 

The pansexual symbol combines the male, female, and transgender symbols into a P-shape that represents pansexuality.

What are synonyms for pansexuality?

Some people use “omnisexual” or “polysexual” as synonyms for pansexuality, but the way someone identifies can depend on their personal feelings and experiences.

What’s the pansexual flag?

The pansexual flag features three horizontal stripes of equal size: pink to symbolize women, blue for men, and yellow stands for nonbinary and gender-fluid people.