An informative and (I think) unbiased look at bisexuality, pansexuality, omnisexuality, and polysexuality
There’s a lot of discourse going around over these orientations, in addition to a general misunderstanding of what these all actually are. Although there are similarities and overlaps between them all, the people with these identities will tell you that they are not all the same.
Bisexual/Biromantic
Bi is probably the most well-known out of all the orientations discussed in this post. It is defined in multiple different ways. Many have the belief that being bi simply means that one is attracted to both men and women, however many bi individuals will tell you that that is not an accurate definition.
It is more accepted these days to define being bi as either
A. attraction to two or more genders or
B. attraction to genders both the same as and different from your own gender
Being bi can account for attraction towards both binary and non-binary genders. Despite what some may argue, bisexuality and biromanticness are not inherently transphobic identities, and many bi people are open to relationships with people who are not cis. The only thing that could possibly make being bi transphobic is if a specific individual chooses to define their own bisexuality in a way that is trans or non-binary exclusionary. However, keep in mind that this can also be said about many other sexual or romantic orientations.
A bi person can be attracted to as few as just two, or as many as most or all existing genders out there. It depends on the individual. Although bi can technically be any combination of any two genders or more, it is usually assumed and expected that a bi individual is at least attracted to both men and women. A bi-identifying person who is attracted to more than two genders that however does not include either male or female will most likely be met with confusion by others.
Below is the bi flag.
Pansexual/Panromantic
Although less known than bi, pan is an identity that is rising to popularity. Most commonly, pan is usually defined as attraction to individuals regardless of their gender. They do not see sex or gender as a limitation.
However, despite what is surprisingly (and frankly, unreasonably) popular belief, a pan person is not attracted to every person they see. Just like all other individuals and all other orientations, pan people may have preferences. However, a pan person’s preferences often are case-by case, lying in what a specific individual is like rather than taking their entire gender into account.
However, while a large number of pan people consider themselves to be “gender-blind”, or in other words, claiming that they don’t see gender as a factor in their attraction, most pan people will still acknowledge their partner’s gender out of respect for their partner.
Also despite what some people may say, pansexuality is not inherently more inclusive than all other orientations. In fact, a bi and pan person may both be attracted to the exact same people.
However, some individuals (especially non-binary ones) may prefer the term “pan” over “bi” despite that because they may feel that the “bi” reminds them of the word “binary” (But please remember that both orientations can account for non-binary people).
Below is the pan flag.
Omnisexual/Omniromantic
Omni may possibly be the least well-known identity in this post. Omni is very similar to pan, to the point that some people out there use the two terms interchangeably, or think of both as the same thing.
However, an omni person will likely tell you otherwise and explain to you that there is a distinction between being pan and being omni.
While pan may be defined as attraction to any sort of individual regardless of gender, while an omni person may define themselves as attracted to all or any genders. While pan is widely regarded as not taking gender into account, omni individuals recognize gender as a factor of attraction, and recognize themselves as being attracted to all genders. Omni people would not call themselves “gender blind”, and may still have gender-based preferences.
It is important to point out though that some people may consider themselves as attracted to all genders while still choosing to identify themselves as pan instead of as omni, or may intentionally identify with both or use them both interchangeably. Again, this depends on the individual.
Again, an omni person may be attracted to the exact same range of people as a bi or pan person is.
Below is the omni flag.
Polysexual/Polyromantic
First things first, it is important to note that this orientation is called ply for short, and not “poly”. “Poly” is a term that refers to Polynesian people. Ply is not the same as polyamory, which is “polyam” for short.
Although slowly rising in popularity, it is still an identity with little recognition, and much of that likely has to do with a general lack of understanding.
Ply is usually defined as attraction to many or most genders, but not all. However, a ply person can be attracted to as few as only two or three genders, or as many as nearly all of them but with an exception or two.
Ply out of all the identities in this post, is probably the one where who one is attracted to differs the most from person-to-person.
For example, you may have one ply individual who is attracted to all genders except male. While another ply person may be attracted to men and masculine and androgynous (demiguys, bigender and agender people, etc) individuals, but not women or feminine enbies (like demigirls). Or maybe another ply person may be attracted to anyone except androgynous individuals.
The possibilities and combinations that could be considered as ply are honestly endless. Multiple things can be taken into account when you are ply, such as gender and the way that someone presents themselves and their gender.
However, ply should not be confused with trans chasing or attraction solely based on genitalia. Those things are not ply, but are transphobic.
Sometimes (but not always) a gay or straight individual may choose to change their identity to ply while dating a non-binary partner in order to account for their partner’s gender.
A ply and a bi individual may be attracted to the exact same people, but due to the “many, but not all” nature of ply, they generally are not attracted to the exact same people that pan and omni people are.
Below is the ply flag.
Bi, pan, omni, and ply are all considered part of the multiple-gender attraction spectrum
What does that mean though?
It means that these orientations fall under an umbrella category of being attracted to more than one gender. You may be more familiar with “m-spec”, the shortened form of the term.
People who are attracted to only one gender may be referred to by m-spec individuals as monosexual or monoromantic.
(There doesn’t seem to be an official m-spec flag, but this is one I’ve seen a handful of people using)
M-spec people can have preferences
M-spec people are not slutty or promiscuous for their identities
M-spec people just like everyone else, cannot control who they are attracted to. It is not a choice
M-spec people are not all the same
M-spec identities are not fake
M-spec identities are all valid, and equally valid
None of these identities is worth more than the others
All of these identities deserve very much and very equal respect
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