Potential attraction regardless of gender or across genders, according to the person's own meaning.
Back to the glossaryIdentity & diversity
Pansexual
An orientation commonly describing the potential for attraction regardless of gender or across all genders. Individuals determine how gender matters, or does not matter, in their own attraction.
Identity & diversity
In brief
Attraction across genders, with personal meanings and overlap with bisexuality.
Pansexual, often shortened to pan, is one of several labels for attraction beyond a single gender. It overlaps with bisexuality but is not inherently broader, more inclusive or more modern. Trans and non-binary people can be included in any orientation; they are not a separate test of whether a label is inclusive.
Potential attraction to more than one gender; it can overlap substantially with pansexuality.
A label some use for attraction to all genders while gender remains noticeable in attraction.
A phrase some pan people use, but not a requirement and sometimes criticised for obscuring lived gender.
Overlap and self-definition
Bi and pan communities and definitions overlap. Some people choose one label for history, community, familiarity or nuance; some use both.
There is no external test that converts one identity into the other. Respect the term and explanation a person offers.
Gender and attraction
For some pan people, gender has little role in whether attraction is possible; for others, attraction spans genders but may still feel different. Pansexuality does not mean attraction to every individual.
Orientation describes a pattern or potential, not indiscriminate availability or absence of preferences.
Avoiding false hierarchies
Pansexuality is not automatically more trans-inclusive than bisexuality, and bisexuality is not restricted to women and men. Framing either label as prejudiced misrepresents many people's identities.
Trans women are women, trans men are men, and non-binary people are not a third category appended to otherwise binary orientations.
Relationships and consent
A current partner does not determine or narrow pan identity. Pan people may choose any relationship structure or no relationship.
Attraction across genders does not imply promiscuity or universal consent. Boundaries remain individual, specific and current.
Non-graphic examples
What the umbrella may include
- Using pan because gender is not a limit on potential attraction.
- Using both bi and pan labels.
- Being pan in a monogamous relationship.
- Having preferences without being attracted to everyone.
- Correcting the claim that pansexuality is required to include trans people.
Reviewed 30 August 2026
Keep exploring.
This detailed field note uses the best available evidence without treating one community sample as universal. Evidence limits and UK context are stated where relevant.
Prepared by The UK Kink Guide editorial team. Read the evidence and review methodology.
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