This is a stupid question, but fuck that I'll ask anyway.

I am far from being an expert in LGBT terminology but I think that bisexual is used for someone who can be attracted to both genders (and sometimes to one more than the other), while pansexual is used for people for whom gender doesn't play a part in their sexual attraction.
Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.
And there is no such thing as a stupid question

 

Bisexual is when you like both genders like Eleanor said pansexual I have no clue ;o

 

Good question!

As far as I'm concerned it's two words for the same thing, really. "Pansexual" is a more accurate definition to describe what I am, for example, but as nobody knows exactly what it means I just tell people I'm Bi and it gets the same point across.

Some people put the definition at Bi = liking men and women, Pan = liking other humans regardless of gender identity (which includes trans, genderqueer etc.). I think the latter definition is unnecessary to add to, Bi should include other gender identities by default, even if an individual's personal preference does not include them.

 

This is 100% true
got it right

 

As I understand it, pansexual is like a "branch" that comes from bisexuality. It is a person that sees no gender and pretty much just likes someone for their personality.

I disagree with that. While they are similar you cannot simply put them together. I like a man because he is a man and I like a woman because she is a woman. I wouldn't be able to go out with a transgender, sorry if that sounds offensive.

Obviously not an expert on this subject so feel free to correct me. Interesting question though.

 

I validated that with the second part of my post. I feel that while "Bisexual" should include all of humankind, we all have preferences and some would date a trans person, others not. We don't need two words, really.

Of course, this is just me. You're welcome to disagree.

 

I'm thinking out loud here, so bare with me

What we have here is the whole "a square is a rectangle, but a rectangle isnt a square" deal. A pansexual is a bisexual, but a bisexual isnt a pansexual?

I could see your argument working only with a bisexual that was to be a 3 on the scale. For all the other bisexuals it couldn't work because they have certain preferences towards a gender and those preferences won't allow you to "truly" be pansexual since you clearly see a difference between genders.

It would be awesome if we can have the opinions of other bisexuals and pansexuals here. I'm really interested about the whole subject haha

 

I was just trying to keep it simple and elegant - why have a thousand words splitting hairs when you can just drop most of the labels and get on with your life? And besides, as I said everyone has preferences to some degree. In my argument, the presence or absence of certain preferences is the only real difference between Bi and Pan.

You can actually stretch this definition to include gay and straight people too... they have preferences that eliminate entire sexes/genders. Or maybe this is all just academic and overthought?

I'm interested in the subject too. Any more opinions from others out there?

 

turns out bisexual is sexual attraction to males and females. pansexual is sexual attraction to males, females, and hermaphrodites

 

I've never heard of that.
So bisexuality by default would include an attraction (or at least possibility) to those born male but who have a female gender identity?

 

huh, never heard of pansexual.

 

I think Pansexual is when your sexually attracted to any and all genders that may or may not exist. So, pretty much that the gender doesent matter at all. Bisexual is when your sexually attracted men and women.

 

learn something new everyday, had never heard of pansexual

 

Which is why I tell people I'm bi-it involves less of an explanation and means practically the same thing anyways.

 

Bisexual is a more physical level - only guys or girls.
Pansexual is a more emotional level - everything inbetween aswell as guys and girls.

But what does it matter? sexuality is fluid.

And for the record - there are no stupid questions, only stupid answers.

 

Bisexual: sexually attracted to both sexes
Pansexual: a person who participates in or is open to sexual activities of many kinds

 

This is why you gotta love EC! Never even heard the term "pansexual" before.

 

That's okay, no-one else can agree on the meaning of the term, so if you're off the hook.

And you wonder why I call myself bi?