Introduction

We decided to come together to provide a space to demonstrate the truth about pansexuality, translating the carrd into multiple languages for accessibility, and standing together in unity. (Note: Translations are still in-progress. Please DM creators of carrd via Twitter to join our translation team)
The LGBTQ+ community seems to constantly be under attack, and sticking together can be the difference between life and death in many cases.

While we may be a privileged group, creating a site behind a screen, we believe it’s important to address many injustices toward the pansexual community as of late.
As many socially-constructed categories are, sexuality is constantly evolving and changing within a single individual and the community as a whole.
To acknowledge our evolution as a community, we must also often be open toward always learning about identities that potentially challenge our worldview.

If those of us within the LGBTQ+ community, who understand the strife over ‘coming out’, the struggles with loss of privilege, the internalized homophobia, the confusion and panic over identity and existence, continue to choose to discriminate against others within the community, the consequences could be dire.
If you wish to fight for our rights on a global scale and have us stand with you, you must stand with us too.

Definitions

“Pansexual is often conceptualized as a label that denotes sexual or romantic attraction to people regardless of their gender expression (masculinity or femininity), gender identity, or biological sex.” (Moradini et al., 2017)

The latin root ‘pan’ means all, and pansexuality can also be described as attraction to all genders.

"Pansexual refers to a person who is sexually, emotionally, romantically, or spiritually attracted to others, regardless of biological sex, gender expression (of masculine or feminine characteristics), or sexual orientation." (Rice, 2015)

A problematic definition:
Some may use the term 'gender-blind' to describe pansexuality. While it may not seem malicious, this is not a widely supported phrase, as it can be misunderstood as pansexuals erasing gender completely. For this reason, it is suggested to stick with the previously stated definitions.

History

How the term has developed and been used over time

Research

Terms like bisexual, pansexual, and queer seem to have a large amount of overlap within the LGBT community, and some individuals change how they identify depending on the situation. In Callis' interviews with bi, pan, and queer individuals, it became clear that the 'borders' between sexual orientations are not fixed (Callis, 2014). Therefore, to encompass this gender and sexual fluidity, we must recognize all terms as valid whether the individual who uses them sees them as separate or together.

Similar findings appeared in mixed surveys in online pansexual communities. Gonel (2013) explores how pansexuality is seen as an anti-conservative identity by not only discouraging the gender binary, but also seeing identity as fluid and always evolving. In this sense, pansexuality is also a distinct journey from bisexuality, while also acknowledging that many pansexual respondents did not limit themselves to a single identity.

Common Misconceptions

Myth:
Pansexuality invalidates Bisexuality

Truth:
While bisexuality certainly has a long history, a seemingly ‘newer’ term such as pansexuality cannot invalidate, erase, or replace another sexuality. Both terms can coexist and, in fact, thrive together. Both pansexuality and bisexuality have existed for as long as humans have, long before we had the vocabulary to describe it. One sexuality is not better or more appealing than the other, and cannot deprive the other from having a voice. Each term is one of many to describe the interesting experience of human sexuality in different ways, and therefore each garner respect and validity.

Myth:
Pansexuality is a micro-identity within Bisexuality

Truth:
As mentioned, bisexuality has a very important history and international presence, but pansexuality also has its own distinct history, both terms having been used differently over time. (See history section) Therefore, the concepts of both pansexuality and bisexuality have lived alongside each other in literature and in love for centuries, neither having come directly from the other.

Myth:
The Pansexual flag is Transphobic

Truth:
The pansexual flag includes a yellow section to represent those outside the typical binary of gender, but this is not created to be transphobic. The flag is simply a visual representation of pansexuality, similar to every flag, that is not representative of those who we may be attracted to. This ‘third category’ may include those who do not identify as women or men, trans or otherwise, such as nonbinary, agender, bigender, gender fluid, and many more. Gender is an ever-evolving social-construct, and pansexuality means that we are attracted to all of these equally.

Myth:
Conversely, pansexuality can only be held by trans and nonbinary people

Truth:
Quite simply, your gender identity does not have any kind of relationship with your sexuality. Gender is separate from sexual orientation. The sexual orientation label someone chooses to identify with is only meant for their own clarity, to help that person understand their internal experience.

Myth:
Pansexuals are hypersexual and/or are polyamorous

Truth:
The idea that any queer sexuality is hypersexual is typically founded in homophobia, as this has been used against the community to shame us for being 'sexually-deviant'. In reality, how much sex someone has is a choice, and is unrelated to their sexuality. Along these lines, those who are polyamorous are not inherently hypersexual either. Polyamory has many different forms and, as this is a romantic orientation, is also distinct from pansexuality, which is a sexual orientation. Another aspect to consider is that many pansexual individuals hold multiple sexual identities, such as demisexual or are on the asexual spectrum. For this reason, it's important to understand that pansexual doesn't mean someone desires or has more sex, and that neither frequency of sexual interactions is better or worse.

Myth:
Hearts over parts (or attraction to personality rather than body parts)

Truth:
This myth seems to be founded upon the idea that if pansexuals are not attracted to someone with their gender in mind, the only explanation is that we are somehow looking past gender (or are ‘gender-blind’) and are rather attracted to someone’s inside rather than outside. This assumption relies on the idea that gender is this tangible marker of someone’s ‘parts’, and that pansexuals can somehow ignore gender. In reality, pansexuals are attracted to all genders equally, and should still be aware of the gendered world that we live in, and how these identities are a core aspect of many people. Real pansexuals do care deeply about gender, for themselves and for others, but it is simply not a factor in whether we are attracted to someone.

Support & Resources

(US) Call: 1-866-488-7386
Text: 'START' to 678-678

The Trevor Project is an amazing and comprehensive resource for LGBTQ+ individuals. They actively research and educate others regarding suicide prevention for queer youth. They offer options to call, text, or chat online with trained individuals if you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or behavior. The Trevor Project also offers free online curriculum for those interested in educating themselves on the ways in which you can help those at risk for suicide. They even have a social media side to their resources called TrevorSpace, which is an affirming international community for LGBTQ young people ages 13-24.

TLC is a non-profit organization based in Canada that offers guides and tools for many different groups that are affected by suicide. They also offer a LifeLineApp (Canada only) that can route you to crisis lines, offer support and awareness, and access to other apps of mental health and self-management. TLC is not a crisis line itself, so if you are experiencing an emergency, please use their resources to find a crisis line you can call. Their main purpose is toward education and prevention. This link will take you directly to LGBTQ toolkits, but you may explore their directory for further education.

(US) National Suicide Prevention Line (English & Spanish): 800-273-8255

Crisis Text Line - Text 'HOME' to:
US & Canada: 741741
UK: 85258
Ireland: 50808