If you take a closer look at the word pansexual and its meaning, you will quickly realize that there are various overlaps with bisexuality. But: "Pansexual" and "Bisexual" do not mean the same thing! Strictly speaking, there is a very special difference.
The following sections will help when it comes to identifying just that.
What does pansexual mean?
The Greek word "pan" means something like "everything". Accordingly, people describe themselves as pansexual when they love, desire, etc. other people completely independent of their gender. For pansexuality it is accordingly true that there is more than "only" two genders. As a counterexample: Bisexual people love and desire both men and women. Pansexual people can or would also like to form relationships with other queers, for example trans women and trans men. They fall in love with people and do not "focus" on one or two genders only.
Or in other words, you can fall in love with anyone.
Pansexuality within the community
The term "Pansexuality" is also playing an increasingly important role within the community. What used to be called - in a comparatively generalized way - "bisexual" has now been given a more precise designation. This even better represents how people who love other people regardless of their gender can identify themselves.
And while there are definitely strong overlaps between pan- and bisexuality, it definitely makes sense to look a little closer. If only out of respect for queers who don't necessarily self-identify as "male" or "female" but are genderfluid, for example.
Are pansexual people discriminated against in society?
At first glance, it is of course impossible to tell who a pansexual person loves. Nevertheless, before the term pansexuality became better known, many people faced a lot of pressure. For numerous people, it felt wrong to call themselves "bisexual." After all, the word "bisexuality" already contains the suffix "bi," meaning "two." Those who can love more than two genders often have the problem here of feeling pushed into a pigeonhole into which they do not fit.
Pansexual couples who stand by themselves and their love are often confronted with prejudices within society.
And even within the community there are one or two reservations. For example, there is the prejudice that pansexual people are less faithful. The reason: the "choice" is greater than is the case, for example, with bi- or homosexual inclinations. Of course, claims like this are absolutely baseless. A person's faithfulness does not depend on his sexual orientation, but rather on his character.
When do people realize they are pansexual?
There are many pansexuals who often become aware of their sexual orientation comparatively late. It was or is especially helpful that in the course of the last years more and more education has been done here. Thus, some people who actually thought of themselves as bisexual realized that there is now a word that describes them even better.
Of course, it can also feel very confusing to discover one's own pansexuality after years of "bisexuality" or perhaps "heterosexuality". In this context, it is important to give yourself time to be able to better classify your own feelings. Those who need help in this regard can - especially in larger cities - take advantage of counseling services. Alternatively, there are also many online contact points and chats where like-minded people can exchange information with each other.
Then isn't pansexual and non-binary extremely similar?