The term bi-sexual is gender binary (obvs) and doesn't really fit everyone Not everyone is only attracted to just cis-gendered folks... I'd love to heard from others who indentify as pan.
Wondering why there isn't more discussion for pansexuals?
I don't usually touch the issue since a lot of folks feel disrespected by criticisms of the term "bisexual". I agree, though, that it's pretty limiting and I never felt that it was appropriate for me; even before I had cause to question the gender binary I knew I wanted a broader term. "Pansexual" is still too specific (for me) in that it can be concretely defined. I prefer "queer" for the fluidity and ambiguity of its meaning. I don't think it's always necessary to spell out exactly who I am—or have the capacity to be—attracted to, so I prefer a label that is an implication rather than an explanation.
What kind of discussion are you looking for?
What kind of discussion are you looking for?
Jan 9, 4:00 am
Quote:
In what way do you find it too specific?
Originally posted by
sexiskewt
I don't usually touch the issue since a lot of folks feel disrespected by criticisms of the term "bisexual". I agree, though, that it's pretty limiting and I never felt that it was appropriate for me; even before I had cause to question the gender
...
I don't usually touch the issue since a lot of folks feel disrespected by criticisms of the term "bisexual". I agree, though, that it's pretty limiting and I never felt that it was appropriate for me; even before I had cause to question the gender binary I knew I wanted a broader term. "Pansexual" is still too specific (for me) in that it can be concretely defined. I prefer "queer" for the fluidity and ambiguity of its meaning. I don't think it's always necessary to spell out exactly who I am—or have the capacity to be—attracted to, so I prefer a label that is an implication rather than an explanation.
What kind of discussion are you looking for?
What kind of discussion are you looking for?
Though I understand what you mean, that identifying as "queer" allows you to imply, rather than specify.
Jan 10, 12:48 am
Pansexual is still kinda the new kid on the identity block. Give it time, and it'll be right up there with all the other endlessly confusing strings of labels that we use to identify non-normative sexuality.
Personally when it comes to describing my orientation, I stick with queer. It's been around forever, it's been reclaimed from bigots (love that!), and the only thing it really says is: "I'm non-normative. I don't fuck or love the way I'm traditionally expected to." Anyone who wants to know specifics has to ask. And that suits me just fine.
Personally when it comes to describing my orientation, I stick with queer. It's been around forever, it's been reclaimed from bigots (love that!), and the only thing it really says is: "I'm non-normative. I don't fuck or love the way I'm traditionally expected to." Anyone who wants to know specifics has to ask. And that suits me just fine.
Jan 10, 7:21 pm
I agree with what grrrl has said. I'm kind of switching to using the term queer for myself since neither my gender identity or sexual identity are how I present (as a heterosexual cis-female). I find that most people think that pansexualism is either really confusing or just a more complicated way of saying 'bisexual' so queer is just easier since it highlights the "I love differently than you do".
Feb 19, 1:24 pm
I identify as pansexual when I am not going through one of my asexual jaunts.
I believe more bi-identifying folks in gender-binary areas of the country would probably switch to identifying pan if they were educated further into the LGBT spectrum community. I identified as bisexual until I moved from my very rural hometown and had further insight into the topics.
I believe more bi-identifying folks in gender-binary areas of the country would probably switch to identifying pan if they were educated further into the LGBT spectrum community. I identified as bisexual until I moved from my very rural hometown and had further insight into the topics.
Mar 20, 3:27 pm
I think there are a LOT of discussion about the issue on Eden. Look through people's profiles. About a bazillion people "identify as pansexual." It seems to be quite common here.
I had no idea "Bisexual" was disrespectful, all my friends who.... (what am I supposed to call them now?) have sex with more than one gender of people seem to use the term and don't have any problems with it. They use "queer" too.
The labeling is confusing sometimes. You are who you are, not who you are attracted to, I think.
I had no idea "Bisexual" was disrespectful, all my friends who.... (what am I supposed to call them now?) have sex with more than one gender of people seem to use the term and don't have any problems with it. They use "queer" too.
The labeling is confusing sometimes. You are who you are, not who you are attracted to, I think.
Mar 22, 10:38 am
Quote:
I identify as queer, but I guess I'm pan if you don't like that word.
Originally posted by
mrs poop.
The term bi-sexual is gender binary (obvs) and doesn't really fit everyone Not everyone is only attracted to just cis-gendered folks... I'd love to heard from others who indentify as pan.
Mar 23, 12:54 am
Quote:
I don't find it disrespectful at all. I think people who do find it offensive are the nitpicking type.
Originally posted by
P'Gell
I think there are a LOT of discussion about the issue on Eden. Look through people's profiles. About a bazillion people "identify as pansexual." It seems to be quite common here.
I had no idea "Bisexual" was disrespectful, all my friends ...
I had no idea "Bisexual" was disrespectful, all my friends ...
I think there are a LOT of discussion about the issue on Eden. Look through people's profiles. About a bazillion people "identify as pansexual." It seems to be quite common here.
I had no idea "Bisexual" was disrespectful, all my friends who.... (what am I supposed to call them now?) have sex with more than one gender of people seem to use the term and don't have any problems with it. They use "queer" too.
The labeling is confusing sometimes. You are who you are, not who you are attracted to, I think.
I had no idea "Bisexual" was disrespectful, all my friends who.... (what am I supposed to call them now?) have sex with more than one gender of people seem to use the term and don't have any problems with it. They use "queer" too.
The labeling is confusing sometimes. You are who you are, not who you are attracted to, I think.
Mar 24, 1:36 pm
I only use pansexual when I'm among people whom I know will understand what that means, otherwise I use queer. I feel that queer places me in a category full of rainbow flags and pride parades, which don't get me wrong are fun and enjoyable, but just aren't my niche.
Altogether, I'd much prefer to just say "I'm human". I make decisions based not on gender or sexual orientation but on whether or not I find I have a connection with someone. Sometimes it's the wrong decision. I've found gay men are occasionally attracted to me, but does that make them suddenly queer or suddenly bi?
In my mind, sexuality (like much of life) is like this quote by T.S. Eliot:
"Every experience is a paradox in that it means to be absolute, and yet is relative; in that it somehow always goes beyond itself and yet never escapes itself."
Altogether, I'd much prefer to just say "I'm human". I make decisions based not on gender or sexual orientation but on whether or not I find I have a connection with someone. Sometimes it's the wrong decision. I've found gay men are occasionally attracted to me, but does that make them suddenly queer or suddenly bi?
In my mind, sexuality (like much of life) is like this quote by T.S. Eliot:
"Every experience is a paradox in that it means to be absolute, and yet is relative; in that it somehow always goes beyond itself and yet never escapes itself."
Mar 24, 10:15 pm
I generally use the term pansexual to describe myself since it's easy. I like to just think of myself as "sexual." My sexuality permeates throughout my life and I'm attracted to people in general, sometimes in context of their sex or gender and sometimes not. My identity changes, and that also affects who I'm attracted to and why at that point in time.
Mar 24, 10:20 pm
Quote:
Basically, the issue is that the term "bisexuality" refers to binary, and many non-binary folk feel invalidated by it. For some bi folks it means they're attracted to any sort of binary, for example the standard cismale/cisfemale, or femme/butch of any sex, etc. Personally I don't see the point in invoking binary at all, because people like what people like and if bisexual no longer means what most people think it means, what's the point in using it? I don't like to police how people self-identify, and if bisexual works for someone I won't tell them to knock it off. I just find it a clumsy word.
Originally posted by
TheParrishism
I don't find it disrespectful at all. I think people who do find it offensive are the nitpicking type.
I ID'd as pansexual for a while, and while I don't think it no longer applies to me I am more comfortable with "queer" like many people posting in this thread. I just find it encompasses everything very nicely - genderqueer, sexually queer, and kinky.
Mar 25, 4:25 pm
Total posts:
15
Unique posters: 12
Unique posters: 12