On 8 December, we celebrate Pansexual Pride Day and 24 May is Pansexual and Panromantic Awareness and Visibility Day. This is an opportunity to celebrate the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community and become a stronger ally of that community.

A pansexual person may be trans or not, may be disabled or not, may be a person of colour or not, or all three of them. Pansexual people are attracted to people regardless of their gender identities or biological sex. This is different from being attracted to everyone. Panromantic people are romantically (but not necessarily sexually) attracted to others regardless of their gender identity or biological sex.

Have a look at The Proud Trust defining as the home of LGBT+ Youth. They have useful resources on their website to support young LGBTQ+ people. A simple definition of Pansexual can be found there as: ‘A person of any gender who is attracted to persons of all genders.’

Stonewall has an article on their website entitled ‘5 common misconceptions about pansexuality’ published on 23 May 2022. You can find out more about what it means to be pansexual in Glaad’s article entitled 'What is Pansexuality- 4 pan celebs explain in their own words' - 23 September 2015. Check The LGBT Foundation and their website article entitled '5 Things You Should Know On Pansexual Visibility Day'- 21 May 2018, and ‘What it Means To Be Pansexual or Panromantic’- 21 May 2019.

Whether you are a young person or a not so young one, you may be questioning your sexuality. Some may ask: do I have to label my sexuality? Of course, not… you do not have to and you may want to describe yourself as ‘queer’ or as ‘LGBT+’, but some find it useful. It is useful to know about all the different labels if you want to increase your knowledge of the LGBTQ+ community as an ally or if you want to explore your own identity with a therapist for example. Talking about the different sexuality labels and unpacking them can be a tool to get to know yourself better in the safe space of therapy. It can also help you connect with people who feel the same way. Labels are not necessarily finite, permanent, or restrictive. You may change, you may evolve… A label may feel right today and not tomorrow. You have the right to decide what label (or no label) may apply to you and feel proud that your sexuality is valid.

To all who self-identify as pansexual or panromantic: We hear you! You are not alone! Happy Pride and Visibility Day!

 

 

Image description: The Pansexual and Panromantic Pride flag with pink, yellow and blue horizontal stripes.