Pan-sexuality

[Goatboy]

I've seen threads where people have been confused about what pansexuality is, however I don't beleive there's been a discussion on it's use as a term.
To save time here a description of the term can be found here

So I was wondering what people thought about it:
Does it describe you perfectly; do you find it useful; unhelpful; unneccessary?

Do you have trouble with stereotypes associtaed with it, do you wish to avoid it becasue of this or something else?

People I've seen who use it usually have different reasons for using it, and what they conisder it to them.
Some seem to use it, yet at the same time say they prefer one gender over another.
Also do you think the terms omnisexuality (some people seem to say this is a more known term - however they have trouble with it), polysexuality are better terms or are just over-complicating things?

It would be great to hear from pan's, bi's and asexuals - though others are welcome too.

[Strife]

I consider myself pan. I find it useful because it doesn't just signify attraction to male and female, but to any person.
I've never seen or heard anyone saying that pansexuals are just doing it to be trendy, as I've heard many people say bisexuality is. This will probably change, though, once it becomes more well known. I've heard of no negative associations with it, but some people probably think that we're unfaithful, like they think bi people are.
I think it's okay to use the term pansexual if you're more attracted to one gender. I am, and I just consider it to mean that you are attracted to all people, not necessarily equally.
I haven't heard of those terms, but if they mean essentially the same thing, I'd just prefer one word to be agreed upon. : /

[bitesize]

Most people I know have no idea what pansexuality is. I'm bisexual myself, but I have a feeling that if I was pans I would refer to myself among my peers as bi, simply because people would understand that more easily.

[llamasliketoparty]

I'm pan. And I do have to explain it to people. I use it because it fits me really well. I fall in love with people, parts aren't the issue. I'm vaguely transgendered and wouldn't mind in the least dating another transgendered person. I think omnisexual and pansexual can be intrchangable. I dislike polysexual. In my mind that implies more than one person at a time and I disapprove of that. I don't really know any stereotypes of it.. Any examples of it?

[sturmeskind]

I dislike terms in general... I'm not sure whether I'm bi or pan or whatever (though I'm pretty sure I'm not straight) and I don't want other people to put me into a category that might turn out to be wrong later. I don't know who I'm going to fall in love/have sex with/be attracted to yet, it might include trans- or intersexual people or not, I don't know.

[Looweeze]

I identify myself as Pan sexual as i see attraction to romantic/sexual partners in the same light as the platonic attraction to friends - regardless of gender.
However i've never had a specific attraction to trans, but if i just clicked with someone, i don't think it'd matter either.

The only negativity about the term, is that people immediately assume, even though it's a very umbrella term that you are sexually attracted to transexuals or you are one yourself.

I like 'other' as a label tbh, sexuality and gender identity are so fluid, there is no real fullhardy definition of any preference.

[Singing to the starlight]

I am pans/bi. I see them as the same thing, and I tell people I'm bi as its much easier and you dont have to explain yourself every two seconds.

[darkxdreamer13]

I've recently learned that I think I'm pan. I dated a girl, and still like guys.
I don't think people's gender should matter for a relationship. As long as you both love eachother, that's all that matters, to me anyways. I wouldn't care if they were trans or whatever.
I'm still "in the closet" except a couple close friends know, but I just say bi becasue it's almost the same thing, and then easier for people to understand.

[Agoraphobia♥]

I'm pan but I just say bi because it really is easier, everybody knows what bisexualism is but not a lot of people knows what it means to be pansexual.

[lilangel!]

Im bi but have been thinking lately that i may be pan. Even though im not 100% sure im pan, i still use bi as my identity becaue its just generally easier as most people know what bi is and are not sure what pan is.
But using either should be accepted by all
It really annoys me when people say that just because you find more than one gender attractive, doesn't mean that you will cheat. Sorry but that really annoys me haha

Hannah

[Union Of V]

My view on pansexuality - from someone who describes himself to the vast majority of people as straight - is that it's a sign that people are starting to accept that sexuality isn't bipolar or tripolar (straight/gay, straight/bi/gay) but rather far too complex to categorize easily. I feel an individual's sexuality is a very intimate part of himself, and just as each person's personality is unique to himself so is his sexuality. I think most people who identify as pansexuals have abandoned the idea of matching one's preferences against a small list of "possible" sexualities, in favour of simply accepting that their sexuality is what they themselves fall for and can't be "stereotyped" so easily.

[ChaosControl]

Originally Posted by Union Of V

I feel an individual's sexuality is a very intimate part of himself, and just as each person's personality is unique to himself so is his sexuality.

I agree with this. I don't have anything against those who describe themselves as bi or pan, but personally I don't see the point in trying to label something that can't be determined so clinically. If you're attracted to someone, it's difficult to say why you like them...you just do. That's why I feel that labels are restricting - I'm mega confused right now and don't think categorising my feelings will help me figure anything out. But I don't mean any disrespect to those who are confident with their sexuality and use the terms pan, bi, straight, gay, etc. If you know then that's cool; if you're not sure then it's nothing to worry about.
=]

[bitesize]

Originally Posted by lilangel!

It really annoys me when people say that just because you find more than one gender attractive, doesn't mean that you will cheat. Sorry but that really annoys me haha

Hannah

Why?¿ It's true. I find girls attractive but that doesn't mean I'm going to go and cheat on my boyfriend.

[Klutz]

I'm an open pansexual, although like previously said it isn't a well-known term really. I had to explain it multiple times to my older sister before she somewhat understood the whole thing. o.o

[lilangel!]

Originally Posted by bitesize

Why?¿ It's true. I find girls attractive but that doesn't mean I'm going to go and cheat on my boyfriend.

That what im saying. It annoys me when people say that you will cheat, or are more likely to.

[bitesize]

Originally Posted by lilangel!

That what im saying. It annoys me when people say that you will cheat, or are more likely to.

Ahhh ok, I must have picked up on that wrongly. (: I completely agree. There might be a little more competition, but being bisexual doesn't automatically rid you of morality..

[MaggzB]

i am pan but tell people im bi. i gave up trying to explain it to people and because people understand bisexual when someone wants to know my sexuality thats what i say.