24th May marks Pansexual and Panromantic awareness and visibility day. So, as we know, pansexual people have nothing to do with saucepans or frying pans, and not even the nonstick ones!
The pansexual label is about people who are attracted to others regardless of their gender identity or biological sex, while panromantic people are the ones who are romantically (which means, not necessarily sexually) attracted to others regardless of their gender identity or biological sex. There are celebrities like Miley Cyrus, Janelle Monáe, Monica Dogra, and movie characters, like Lando Calrissian and Deadpool that identify with this label as pansexual.
Here are the top five topics (more like myths and questions) that will be discussed on this Pansexual and Panromantic awareness and visibility day.
Is pansexuality the same as bisexuality?
Pansexual and bisexual, both these identities are similar but not the same. By definition, the identity bisexual means “to be attracted to your own gender and other genders,” and the identity pansexual means “to be attracted to all genders.” So, when someone is pansexual, it means they are attracted to an individual and their gender doesn’t factor into attraction.
There are obviously overlaps between the two identities, but they are different. Someone who identifies as pansexual can have the same level of attraction to people of any gender, but they may still experience this attraction to people in different ways.
Pansexual and being monogamous
When someone’s attraction goes beyond gender, similar to how bisexuals are “accused” of being promiscuous and non-monogamus, people who identify as pansexual also get accused of not being able to be in one relationship. Just as someone who identifies as heterosexual can be monogamous, people from the queer community and people who identify as pansexual or bisexual can also be monogamous and committed.
Just as some heterosexual people can be polyamorous, some pansexual people can be monogamous. Just like some people in the heterosexual community, there are people from the queer community who may identify as polyamorous and monogamous, it’s just ones preference.
Being Pansexual is just a fancy label
The term “pansexual” originated and is attributed to “pansexualism,” a label popularised by Sigmund Freud in the early 1900s. The label was used to define sexuality as the basic drive for all human interaction. Pansexuality has always existed, but it wasn’t defined by the labels until the 20th century. Thanks to celebrities coming out as pansexual, there is more visibility to the label now. There are more number of people identifying with the label now, does not mean it is a “trend.” The label has always existed and just gaining popularity right now, does not mean it is a fancy term!
So, on Pansexual and Panromantic Awareness & Visibility Day, if you identify as panromantic or pansexual – enjoy the 24th of May, or if you know someone who does identify with this label, wish them!
