Pansexual (often shortened to pan) is a sexual orientation describing an individual who experiences sexual attraction to individuals where gender identity is not a factor. Since pansexual individuals experience attraction regardless of gender identity, they effectively experience attraction to all gender identities.
Pansexual individuals may be described as being "gender blind," meaning that gender identity is not a factor in their attraction to an individual. They may instead feel that their sexual attraction is influenced by other factors, such as presentation or personality.
The romantic counterpart to pansexual is panromantic.
Pansexual vs. Other Identities
Pansexuality is often compared against other multisexual identities. In particular, it is similar to omnisexual and bisexual as these terms may be used to describe attraction towards all gender identities. These terms are also sometimes used interchangeably due to their similarities and overlaps.
Omnisexual
Omnisexual describes attraction to all gender identities. The most commonly accepted difference is that omnisexual individuals may feel a difference in their attraction to individuals based on the target's gender identity. This may manifest as having a preference for certain gender identity(s) or as experiencing attraction differently depending on the target's gender identity. Omnisexual individuals may also find certain traits attractive only on individuals of certain gender identities.
Pansexual individuals generally do not feel any internal difference in attraction towards targets of different gender identities, or feel like any difference felt is irrelevant. Although some pansexual individuals may still have a gender preference, this preference may not be in regards to gender identity, may not impact how attraction is felt, or may be so minor that one feels it is irrelevant.
Bisexual
Bisexual describes attraction to two or more gender identities. Some bisexual individuals are attracted to all genders, however not all are. Some individuals may identify as both bisexual and pansexual, while others may prefer one over the other. The choice to use one identity over the other usually comes down to individual preference. Some individuals prefer to identify as pansexual over bisexual because pansexual is more specific, and they want to specify that they experience attraction regardless of gender identity.
Flag and Symbols
The pansexual flag was created in 2010 by shrikeabyssals.[1] The flag's meaning has been loosely defined, but most interpret pink to represent attraction to women, yellow to represent attraction to non-binary individuals, and blue to represent attraction to men.
The second alternate pan flag was designed by Discord user Hey All Scott here! on June 4, 2021.
Another common symbol for pansexuality is the P with an arrow and crossed tail. The cross of the tail represents the cross on the symbol for Venus (♀), used to represent women. The arrow represents the arrow on the symbol for Mars (♂), used to represent men. The symbol predates the flag and is still occasionally used today.
Etymology
The prefix pan- comes from the Greek word for "all" or "every".