Sex and Sexuality Question

Pansexuality

My friend recently said she thought I was pansexual. I didn't know what that was so I looked it up. Basically, what I got from it, is that it's when a person has the ability to be attracted to anyone, regardless of gender or sexuality. I've never been attracted to a female (or anyone with feminine characteristics), so I asked her why she thought this because, to me, that didn't make sense. She said it was because I'm not attracted to how people look, I'm always attracted by their personality, and because I don't really have a "type" of physical feature that I'm attracted to (which is true).

Is she misusing the word or are there other ways to define Pansexuality?

bri-marie posted over a year ago

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Sex and Sexuality Answers

dreamfields said:

I just looked up the word in a dictionary. Im Websters, it describes it in a purely sexual sense. I think it's a bit of a stretch to use that word to describe you.
Sensitive or decerning maybe better terms to describe your personality. My reasoning is, if I understand, you are attracted (in a non sexual way) because of what you see in a person and not just what's on the outside. Which I think is a wonderful way to pick friends.
One possiblity is that the word may be taking on new meanings with time. This has happened throughout time. On a funny note, I am old enough to remember that when you said someone was gay, you meant happy or joyfull. I'm not sure if I answered your question, but don't let people label you. Instead, know yourself for who you are. :)

posted over a year ago

That's just it though - all the deffinitions I've found (and occasionally heard) backed up what I've found. It just confused me that she thought I was Pansexual for reasons that aren't really assiciated with Pansexuality. If she wants to call me that, it doesn't really matter - I know I'm heterosexual. It doesn't matter to me what others think.

bri-marie posted over a year ago

Your right, knowing who you are is the most important thing.

dreamfields posted over a year ago

jodarchy said:

actually pansexuality isnt always about being physically attracted to a person
Pansexuality (also referred to as omnisexuality) is a sexual orientation, characterized by the potential for aesthetic attraction, romantic love, or sexual desire towards people without regard for their gender identity or biological sex.
which means you could fall in love with someone because of who they are as a person without taking their gender into consideration, which would make you pansexual, the word is sometimes used out of context, i wouldnt say that you were pansexual simply because you dont show physical attraction simply towards the way that people look but maybe if you have become attracted to a person based on their personality and havent thought about whether it matters if they are male or female.

posted over a year ago