Bisexuals are salt water and pansecuals are freshwater. But fr from my understanding bisexual started as an exonym (originaly it meant something like hermafroditism but later it became about orientation), and since bisexual people have always been subject to erasure they latched onto it. Of course this term came to existence when the academic view of gender was binary so way later people wanted to update the label to reflect the change in paradigm but a lot of older people had become very attached to the laber and refused to change it and then people tried to rationalize differences but they are so subtle that imo is an exercise in futility.
I use both , but use pan online where people are more likely to understand me and bi irl cause for a lot of people the label pan feels completely alien.
You can only be bisexual if you are from the bisexual region of France, else you are sparkling pansexual
Bisexuals have a tomato base while pansexuals are more teriyaki.
There are some transphobes and/or enbyphobes who will insist that bisexual means attraction to only two genders, and we all know why they’re doing that.
Others will say that bisexual means they based on the meaning of the prefix “bi-”. But that is the etymological fallacy. The current meaning of a word is not necessarily related to its etymological origin. Words change meaning literally all the time, and we should all be nonplussed about it by now [1].
In reality, words only mean what people generally understand them to mean [2]. Most dictionaries still retain, at least implicitly, a two definition, but most LGBT+ orgs and psychological associations and whatnot tend to define it as “more than one” gender, or similar.
Similarly, pansexual is generally defined as attraction to all genders or attraction being irrelevant of gender in the vast majority of places that care to declare a definition. But there are those who use it to mean the same thing as the latter definition of bisexual because they believe bisexual to mean the former definition of bisexual.
So what is the actual difference? It probably depends where you are and who you’re talking to. Womp womp.
There’s a joke/stereotype that many people who describe themselves as bi are attracted to one specific type of guy, and literally all women.
In my practical experience, people are more likely to identify as bisexual if they tend have a preference for certain gender presentations over others, and more likely to identify as pansexual if they are (closer to being) equally horny for all. Or if they have a preference for more pastel colours.
🤷♀️
[1] Even I believe, in my heart, that using the word nonplussed this way is wrong.
[2] Ha! I got the linguistic prescriptivists and the logicians with that one!
I always viewed it like bi- as in, one’s own gender + another (whatever group it may be).
Then there are pan- and omni-, and I thought pan- = one’s own + multiple but not all
while omni- = all of them
is that not the case then? til
I thought pansexuals needed to be seasoned first and washed immediately after each use then thoroughly patted dry?
This feels like a corner of the community trying to make rules for everyone. I think the intent is good, but I don’t think the definitions are as you say at this point in history because I don’t think they are any particular way. The people with the identities should decide on labels and meanings, and after several discussions with bi and pan people (specifically about this) or seems clear to me that there is not a strong consensus about what the terms “truly” mean. It is all over the place (at least in the sample of people whose discussions I witnessed).
One common thread is that almost none of them want to use the labels to exclude others.
I know a few who would probably love this.
Just a heads up to everyone that has a Bisexuality definition that isn’t Bisexual, I’d really recommend not putting anti-trans labels and bullshit on Bi people, it’s never failed too piss off every Bi person I’ve ever been or known.
…Im sorry what?
There’s a ton of non-bisexual people in this thread (and elsewhere) that present a false definition of bisexual that excludes trans/nb/agender/gf/generally gender non-conforming people. Or otherwise may assume that bisexual people are necessarily either monogamous or polyamorous, neither of which is universally true of all bi people. Actual bisexual people (like myself) are understandably upset by these incorrect assumptions. It’s especially harmful to have people assume that a bisexual person wouldn’t be attracted to a trans person because of the implied transphobia it puts on bisexual people.
Ah I think I understand. Thanks.
bi means two so it assumes two genders
I don’t experience my sexual orientation through the strict dictionary defintions of root words in the English language. I don’t know why you think I would. I don’t. I’m not anti Trans. I’m attracted to plenty of Trans people, fem men, masc women, and plenty of gender non confotming or queer people, being attracted to people who are 1. same as me and 2. not same as me is also a binary. but bi generally meaning experiencing both same sex attraction and opposite sex attraction doesn’t mean I can’t be attracted to a man that expresses generally female traits or sexual characteristics intentionally, I don’t even know how it’s hard to figure out that gender non conforming people would be as or more attractive to someone attracted to sexual characteristics of all permutations. Please. don’t tell Bi people how they must experience their own sexuality based on the dictionary. It’s very belittling and can only lead to misunderstandings and harm. if you want to be a real technical asshole about it, I’m attracted to the sexual characteristics of male and female bodies and I’m not concerned about those characteristics matching any ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ standard created by society or anyone other than the person who is expressing and existing in their desired state. You don’t need to put anti Trans or anti gender queer sentiment on my sexual orientation, that makes no sense. I deeply love and respect and care for my Trans family members, friends, and fellow human beings.
I dont really think thats true.
I think that bisexual is just a term that has stuck since its been in use for so many many years
Its like feminism. Indeed the term feminism has the term ‘fem’ iin it so many people may assume that it has to do with equal rights of females ONLY . And indeed when liberal feminism started to be talked of more during the 1910s and 1940s when women and non-males starting taking up the jobs of dead males from the world wars it was indeed about more rights and suffrage for ONLY women… but I think that most modern feminists that are worrh their mettle would agree with me that femism has evolved to mean many things about ALL genders and has a lot to do with equality, independence, and equity amongst ALL genders.
Im a proletarian feminist and proletarian feminism has absolutely nothing to do with radical feminism or liberal feminism. So even though these terms are similar they are nothing a like in practice.
And feminism has nothing to do with those people in the past who ONLY resisted the current system for ONLY more women’s rights - feminism has nothing to do with those who push for ‘female supremacy’ despite the term’s ‘fem’ in it.
Being bisexual means many things nowadays to all people of ALL genders (I dont know and dont care how many genders there are. People should be able tk be who they want to be.) and there are many categories of bisexual peoples . But bisexual people have simply stuck with this term of ‘bisexual’ becauee the term simply stuck during the 1970s.
I’ll apparently be quoting myself again in this thread.
The bi part of bisexual refers to both homosexual (same gender) and heterosexual (different gender) so nobody’s left out. I guess an argument could be made that an agender person might not fit under either umbrella, but i would still consider agender to be either same gender (if the bisexual person is also agender) or different gender (if the bisexual person is not agender).
Surely you can understand that it’s insensitive to tell a bisexual person what their own sexuality means. I recommend reading more and chiming in less on matters that you know little about, especially when replying to someone (me) who explicitly said that they don’t appreciate the transphobic implications of an incorrect and ignorant interpretation of the term.
Im bi and my partner is NB and bi. No part of that is confusing or contradictory.
Attracted to the same gender and other genders. Two.
attracted to the sexual characteristics of men and women, why would that stop me from being attracted to someone that has any permutation of either sex characteristics in expression or configuration? and gender doesn’t even enter into it of you want to be that technical, but again, gender being a construct, why would it bother me, a person attracted to many characteristics of gender expression be not attracted to someone who expresses a configuration of gender characteristics that mix and match or invent their own? that makes no sense. don’t tell me how I experience my sexuality.
but that’s pan
No.
where’s the P in LGBTQ?
isn’t there a + at the end?
The bi part of bisexual refers to both homosexual (same gender) and heterosexual (different gender).
Let me repeat @[email protected] for you.
F all this. I’m omni
I really don’t know what I’m talking about but I always assumed bisexual was attracted to both traditionally presenting men and women, but maybe not so attracted to others, androgynous presenting or otherwise.
Pansexual is really like they dont even consider a persons gender at all, they can be attracted to anyone binary presenting or non-binary presenting
You’ve (unintentionally) fallen for a biphobic talking point.
I’m not interested in binary gender conformity and gender conformity is NOT a part of how I experience my sexuality as a bisexual person, and I’ve never met a bisexual person who’s claimed this is a part of their experience, I’m in my 40s, male, and spent a long time repressing my sexuality for everyone else’s supposed comfort or benifit, and of course my supposed safety as growing up we were all told any variety of non cishet behavior would get us all killed and many followed through with that threat. I’m very much against anyone being told they need to fit any kind of construct of sexual or gender expression based on anything other that however they choose. and a lot of Bi people will get really put out of you place anti-trans bullshit on them. I’m PARTICULARLY attracted to people who DON’T confirm to gender demands of society and the binary gender construct is crazy harmful to so many people I deeply love and care about and will fight for and do what I can to protect. I’d really recommend not putting this supposed definition of bisexuality out, it’s very contradictory to every bi person I’ve ever known’s stated experience.
So what makes bisexual label preferred to pansexual label for you?
I’d really recommend not putting this supposed definition of bisexuality out, it’s very contradictory to every bi person I’ve ever known’s stated experience.
Seconded
For practical purposes, it’s a judgement call:
-If they’re under 30, I say I’m pansexual.
-If they’re over 40, I say I’m bisexual.
-In between, I pick one based on vibes.
For theory purposes:
Studies on sexual attraction predate studies on gender identity. “Bisexual” hails from a day that we just considered the physical presentation of the people a study participant is attracted to, with the options of 1: Same, 2: Different. The studies allowed for people to be homosexual, heterosexual, or both-sexual.
“Pansexual” has had different definitions in the 1920s, 1970s, 2020s, and presumably the years in between. The current popular definition of “attraction to all genders” or “attraction regardless of gender” is basically a subset of “bisexual”, since this includes both people of the same sex, and people of different sex.
It’s more inclusive in the aspect of rejecting the gender binary at the start. But also, I believe that words are for communication, so at the end of the day, I’m using the most useful word based on the information I’m trying to communicate.
Pansexual because gender and physical looks are mostly irrelevant to what you find sexually attractive
Bisexual because you find both sexes physically attractive making gender mostly irrelevant
Bisexual assumes two genders though, not wholly irrelevant.
No.
Read any of the many definitions of bisexual from actual bisexual people in this thread, and you’ll learn that bisexual absolutely does not assume two genders or reinforce a gender binary in any way.
This is the definition I go by and why I swapped to Pansexual.
Bisexual is attracted to more than one gender and CAN include all the same attractions as a Pansexual.
Pansexual IS attraction to all genders.
So yeah all pansexuals are bisexual but not all bisexuals are pansexuals, they could be trans excluding, that’s sufficiently vague enough that Pansexual is its own thing.
If you’re a trans person on say a dating app that makes all the difference in considering whether or not someone is safe.
That’s not the difference.
Okay I see two comments from you right now saying this, explain the difference to me.
So, I’ll start by saying that it’s pretty on brand for this meme post lol, but there are multiple definitions of bisexuality and pansexuality I find acceptable. There are some that are bullshit. I don’t really subscribe to one true definition of it. I have one I use the most that I’ll talk about later in this post. This is what I take issue with, see emphasis.
Bisexual is attracted to more than one gender and CAN include all the same attractions as a Pansexual.
Pansexual IS attraction to all genders.
So yeah all pansexuals are bisexual but not all bisexuals are pansexuals, they could be trans excluding, that’s sufficiently vague enough that Pansexual is its own thing.
This is either biphobic by assuming bisexuals are not accepting of trans people or transphobic by viewing trans men as a different gender than cis men (same for trans women and cis women). That’s why I have a problem with it. Bisexuality has never meant that.
Someone else in this thread has already mentioned the bisexual manifesto from 1990. Now, to be clear, this isn’t me saying “hey, it’s called the bisexual manifesto, it’s the one true definition of bisexuality.” (It itself even says its not.) But I find this part relevant when discussing multiple definitions.
Do not expect each magazine to be representative of all bisexuals, for our diversity is too vast. Do not expect a clear-cut definition of bisexuality to jump out from the pages. We bisexuals tend to define bisexuality in ways that are unique to our own individuality. There are as many definitions of bisexuality as there are bisexuals. Many of us choose not to label ourselves anything at all, and find the word ‘bisexual’ to be inadequate and too limiting. Do not assume that the opinions expressed are shared by all bisexuals, […]
So even in 1990 it was understood by bisexuals that bisexuals did not have a single “one true definition” of bisexuality. Not to even mention pansexuality and what shape the venn diagram of the two might make.
Me, personally, the definition I use, that I feel I see many people use and also I have some bias towards because I feel it’s the most satisfying is that pansexuals are attracted to traits of people without regards to gender. While bisexuals are attracted to any gender of people and may have traits they find attractive in some genders but not others. And the example I always give of this is, someone who is bi, but not pan, might find muscular women attractive, but dislike muscles on men. Meanwhile, someone who is pan would just like muscles regardless.
Another definition I use, but perhaps less useful to answer you, is that bisexuals are people who identify as bisexual. Pansexuals are people who identify as pansexual. And yes, people can identify as both or only one. I think self identification in the queer community is massively important. I have a friend who’s wife came out as nonbinary. He calls himself straight. So when people ask me what his sexuality is, I say he’s straight. Is there a part of me that believes in some technical, theoretical sense that he should consider labeling himself as something else? Sure, yeah, because his wife is nonbinary now, but that’s not really my business unless he asked me about it.
First off thanks for writing up such a detailed answer while touching on the history of bisexuality.
is either biphobic by assuming bisexuals are not accepting of trans people or transphobic by viewing trans men as a different gender than cis men
Believe me that is not what meant to say but I have be paying from the nose for wording it like that. It more has to do with how bisexuality is defined differently for different people and how that relates to right leaning groups where bisexuals can pass.
Another definition I use, but perhaps less useful to answer
It’s totally useful, a bit frustrating in a way that makes it feel like there’s an itch I can’t scratch but I agree and also think it’s something to be left alone. Let sleeping dogs lie and frankly questioning people on their identity is more likely to cause more problems and strain the relationship more than it will solve.
I actually think it’s fine to question people on their identity, the only person who can really tell you why they identify as what they identify is them. There’s some nuance of course, and you don’t want to pry or seem like you’re trying to convince them they’ve used the wrong label, but I think it’s fine to ask folks.
I’ll try to give a good example. The context of this thread is all of us discussing the difference. It’s a bit different than asking a singular person why they may have chose one over the other. A very close person to me chooses the pan label over the bi label because of a reason I personally disagree with and view as biphobic. They choose it because they don’t want trans and nonbinary people who subscribe to the biphobic definition to believe they’re transphobic or enbyphobic. My response to this is not “that’s biphobic, you shouldn’t do that.” Because the only real conclusion from that would be that I’m saying “You should call yourself bisexual” which would be relabeling them. Now, this specific conversation, it vent on, and all of us having the conversation are on the same page about it all, for the most part. We all agree there is massive, massive overlap between the two and the label doesn’t really matter too too much, and all of us would be fine saying we’re “bi/pan” probably. If our opinions were more unaligned on the topic, it may have gone differently. Especially if this person said that I am transphobic or enbyphobic for saying I am bisexual, but that’s not something they did and it’s not something they believe. Also, we did all say that the flag we preferred played a bit of a role lmao. The two of us that are bi love the bi color and the the one who is pan loves the pan colors.
I guess for me, going back to the dating app analogy, I’d rather label myself what I am (bisexual) and have people who have biphobic takes that assume I am transphobic/enbyphobic pass on me than relabel myself to accommodate them. Because I don’t think we’d necessarily be able to get along anyways. I think if someone is that opposed to the label found out I called myself pan instead of bi on my profile just to get into their DMs, it would also just push them further into biphobia and they’d unmatch with me anyways.
I think this is why this meme is so hilarious, bi versus pan just sort of carries on and on and rarely leads to satisfying conclusions. But I think there’s beauty there, I think the queer experience is so unique and I love to learn about people and also have others learn about me. I love discussions.
I see what you mean.
It’s the asserting that bisexuals are more transphobic than pansexuals that people have a problem with.
I didn’t say that was the difference though? I specifically stated that bisexuals are attracted to more than one gender and pansexuals are attracted to all. All pansexuals are bisexuals not all bisexuals are pan.
So yeah all pansexuals are bisexual but not all bisexuals are pansexuals, they could be trans excluding, that’s sufficiently vague enough that Pansexual is its own thing.
You did.
So are you disagreeing that a bisexual person could exclude trans people?
So could individual pansexual people. No I’m not denying that. I’m denying that bisexual people are inherently more transphobic as a group.
If you’re a trans person on say a dating app that makes all the difference in considering whether or not someone is safe.
I still wouldn’t assume anyone labelling themselves as bisexual is an unsafe person for trans people. I think people use bi and pan interchangeably too much to assume anything without talking to the individual.
You’re twisting my words, I said whether or not someone is safe, not that they’re unsafe.
If you can’t confirm that at first look then your only option is better safe than sorry and move on or get into what can very quickly turn into an unpleasant conversation.
There is nuance and what you assume people do is just your own personal experience.
My own experience is I’ve met many a cool bisexual in the right forums. I’ve also seen plenty a bisexual who hate the term pansexual and thinks it’s redundant because they don’t acknowledge the nuance. That isn’t the kind of person I want to be around. Sure talking helps but when you’re a pretty hated minority it’s not exactly an attractive proposition to get to know every bisexual.
To relate this back dating apps, if you’re bisexual and down with trans people, let us know on your bio! And if you’re someone who is attracted to all just take the dive and go pansexual! It’s more specific and let’s others know exactly who your interested in.
I’ve also seen plenty a bisexual who hate the term pansexual and thinks it’s redundant because they don’t acknowledge the nuance.
Sort of an odd thing to say while also missing the nuance between the two and parroting biphobic points.
You’re twisting my words, I said whether or not someone is safe, not that they’re unsafe.
To be pedantic… “Whether or not someone is safe” introduces two options: Safe or not safe. Unsafe and “not safe” are more interchangeable than pansexual and bisexual.
I understand it’s not what you meant… but I dont think they’re twisting your words. I think it’s an honest attempt at faithfully interpreting your words. It’s just that the language isn’t really built for the kind of distinction you’re trying to make.
I’d have to agree with you there, I apologize, it’s English specific but god does English have some issues like that. To clarify I meant you have no idea of their intentions, so you can’t tell if they have ill or well intentioned thoughts towards you, so for your own sake it’s easier to assume they are not safe. That doesn’t mean they are dangerous but you can’t know for certain.
There are plenty of straight people that have no problem dating trans people.
Painting bisexual and straight people as inherently transphobic is wild.
Pansexual people can be racist. Is it fair to say that people of color should be wary of pansexuals because that group might contain racists?
Except nowhere did I say either are inherently transphobic. I was pointing out that you’re more likely to run into a transphobic person of either of those groups because it’s such a wide encompassing umbrella.
To me it’s no different from saying you’re more likely to run into someone who is homophobic who is straight than someone who is homophobic and bisexual.
As for the racist thing I would say it’s a nonsense thing to say because it’s totally different. I’d say it’s fair that people of color should be wary of white people because because of systemic racism at large has stemmed from white supremacy. Are there people of color who are racist, absolutely, are people of color with internalized racism, absolutely. Should I be the one who should be talking about this, absolutely not nor am I comfortar with it but you brought us to race.
More than anything I’m sick of having to explain and re-explain that some communities and sexualities are more risky for trans people than others.
If they weren’t it wouldn’t be fucking normalized that trans people need to disclaim themselves being transgender with their partners for their own safety.
I’m refuting that bisexual people are inherently more risky to trans people by virtue of being bisexual.
There is nothing wrong with being bisexual but the issue is it has similar baggage as being straight which is that there are people within it thay do not believe transgender people are the gender they say they are.
Why does being bisexual have similar baggage as straight people that make them more transphobic than pansexual people?
How do you not see that you’re stereotyping groups of people based on their sexual orientation?
By most definitions I’d consider myself pansexual, but boy do I like the bi flag more, so that is what I typically use. And it’s easier for a layman to understand.
So the definitions I’ve seen here are:
- Bisexuals are only attracted to cis people, pansexuals are attracted to cis, trans, and nonbinary people
- Bisexuals are only attracted to binary genders, while pansexuals are attracted to all genders
- Bisexuals are attracted based on looks, pansexuals are attracted based on personality (possibly means they’re demi too)
- Bisexuals are attracted to people because of gendered characteristics, pansexuals are attracted to people regardless of gendered characteristics (not really sure what this one means, different wording of the previous one?)
- Bisexuals are attracted to more than one gender, pansexuals are attracted to all genders
- Bisexuals are monogamous, pansexuals are polyamorous
- Bisexuals like the bi flag, pansexuals like the pan flag
- Plus various other joke definitions
Did I miss any? A couple of these were new to me. Innovations in the discourse?
First two are biphobic.
- Bisexuals are attracted to people because of gendered characteristics, pansexuals are attracted to people regardless of gendered characteristics (not really sure what this one means, different wording of the previous one?)
As an example of this, a bisexual might find muscular women attractive, but not muscular men, but pansexuals find muscles attractive or not on all people. This is the definition I use.
- Bisexuals are attracted to more than one gender, pansexuals are attracted to all genders
The thing I find troublesome about this is that it can overly lump people into bisexuality. A common definition for lesbian today is someone who is not a man who is attracted to people who aren’t men. If that’s your definition of lesbian and bisexual than you’re saying lesbians are bisexual. I prefer to say bisexual is attracted to all genders.
- Bisexuals are monogamous, pansexuals are polyamorous
Weird seeing this because traditionally the harmful stereotype is that bisexuals need two lovers. Either way, this is not a good definition.
- Bisexuals like the bi flag, pansexuals like the pan flag
This is one that’s silly, but kind ends up being true sometimes. Bi and pan are incredibly overlapped. Not all bi people are pan and not all pan people are bi, yes, but there’s a lot of overlap. So a lot people in the middle just pick the flag they prefer.
Also I will die on the hill that pansexuality is not a subset of bisexuality. Not all pansexuals are bisexual.
Yeah the “bisexuals are monogamous” one was brand new to me, one of the weirder ones. I can’t tell if it was meant to be a joke or not.
What’s a demi?
Demisexual aka. Not sexual until in love.
Wow, TIL
In regards to the 4th one, that’s how I’ve always kinda described it. I consider myself bi because I am attracted to men, women, and NBs differently. My sister considers herself pan because there is no difference in the way she feels attracted to someone based on their gender.
I’ll be honest, I just like the flag.
For anyone genuinely confused:
Bisexual (bi = 2) - attracted to people of exactly two genders, most typically male and female, but can be anything. This term can be used by pansexuals in the context where people are not properly aware of the existing of other genders.
Pansexual (pan = everything) - attracted to people of all genders. If you’re sexy to a given pansexual, they don’t care what your gender is - male, female, or any flavor of nonbinary. Just be cool.
The confusion stems from the previous understanding that there are only two genders, which is why pansexuals may categorize themselves as bisexuals.
FYI: Some people also prefer the term “omnisexual”, which also means being attracted to people of all genders, but accentuates the gender differences. So, instead of pansexual “I don’t care of your gender, just be cool”, it’s more like “women are cute and nice, men are strong huggers and damn boy be the big spoon, agenders are special and whew I like that” etc. etc. Basically, loving everyone, but each gender is attractive in its own unique way.
Bisexual (bi = 2) - attracted to people of exactly 2 genders, most typically male and female, but can be anything. This term can be used by pansexuals in the context where people are not properly aware of the existing of other genders.
This is absolutely incorrect. I’ll copy a portion of my own comment from deeper in this thread to explain.
The bi part of bisexual refers to both homosexual (same gender) and heterosexual (different gender) so nobody’s left out. I guess an argument could be made that an agender person might not fit under either umbrella, but i would still consider agender to be either same gender (if the bisexual person is also agender) or different gender (if the bisexual person is not agender).
The bi part of bisexual refers to both homosexual (same gender) and heterosexual (different gender) so nobody’s left out.
Exactly, and as I said, this was very true when we considered that there are only two genders. Now if you’re attracted to people of more genders, there are terms that would fit you better. Why produce the confusion by dragging the confusing and wrong two-gender era terminology into the modern world?
If you’re attracted to men, women and agenders, why take the *bi-*sexual umbrella, especially when we have correct, more apt terms now? Bi is two, and two specifically. Bidirectional. Bipolar. Bicycle. Bipedal. Bisexual. Bi is two. Tri is three. Quadro is four. Why sexuality of all things should make an exception because some people didn’t know better decades ago?
Did you read my comment? The bi in bisexual has never referred to two genders; it refers to two sexualities, namely homosexual and heterosexual. Homo meaning same and hetero meaning different. If we consider a set of people with both the same gender as a hypothetical bisexual person (regardless of their gender) and different genders from that same bisexual person, all people are included in that set regardless of their gender.
Importantly, no single word has ever been a full and complete description of any person’s sexual preferences. I’m not saying that all bisexual people are attracted to all people of all genders, but that the word bisexual has no implication of anything less.
The term bisexual is not an exception to the bi - 2, tri - 3, quad - 4, etc linguistic rule, it simply doesn’t refer to the two that you’re assigning it to (genders). Beyond that, I have no idea why you think it’s appropriate to apply a linguistic rule proscriptively to other people’s sexualities.
This kind of confidently incorrect interpretation not only harkens to bisexual erasure (as in ignoring the words and writings of actual bisexual people), it actively harms bisexual people by assigning them with a reinforcing of gender binary that bisexuality has never implied, even linguistically. Try listening to a bisexual person (me, for starters) rather than blaming us for reinforcing a gender binary based on your own misinterpretation.
Also, bisexual is not an old outdated term from “when we considered that there are only two genders” (bisexual erasure much?), it is an inclusive identifier that covers a broad range of sexual preferences.
TLDR: Fuck you, you don’t get to tell me how to refer to my own sexuality.
I really appreciate your eloquent and expressive defense of bisexual people in this thread. You’ve got a way with words :)
That’s very kind, thank you!
Bisexual: attracted to two or more genders and are autumn or winter coloring.
Pansexual: attracted to more than one gender, and are a spring or summer.
