CMV Pansexual is a fancy way of saying Bisexual

I had this same question in the past when I was trying to better define my own sexuality, and after some great discussions with other people on Reddit and in a local LGBT group, the best answer is that the terms are similar but distinct.

Bisexuality refers to a general attraction to members of either gender, but more specifically a physical attraction to certain features of those genders. Whether you like really strong butch men and women, or women and effeminate men, or whatever subculture you find yourself attracted to regardless of gender lines, you can find yourself attracted to individuals of either sex.

Pansexuality on the other hand is a more general attraction to people regardless of gender or physical attributes. It is more akin to a statement of demisexuality or even asexuality- it's a statement of platonic attraction regardless of sex, gender, or really physical attraction.

That doesn't sound like a particularly significant difference, but the place where it can become very complicated is in regards to a relationship with a transitioning transgender person. M2F or F2M, in either case if there are plans for surgery, hormone therapy, etc... there could be a large change in physical appearance and physical expression which could be emotionally difficult and complicated for all involved. For someone who identifies more specifically as bisexual, they may find themselves no longer attracted to the person after their transition because many of the physical attributes which they found alluring to begin with are now gone. Someone pansexual, on the other hand, would likely have no struggles at all in this regard because physical affection and attraction isn't very important to them at all.

This may sound petty in some ways, and some people may be offended or angry that someone could "fall out of love" with someone just because they made a big physical change... but it's important to be understanding and non-judgmental when it comes to love and attraction in general. Your emotional well being and happiness cannot be dictated by someone else's standards, that's the fundamental argument of the LGBT movement. There's a reason so many marriages run into struggles of happiness and fidelity after one of the partners begins to lose their libido or stop taking care of their body... your needs are your needs, and if you no longer feel comfortable or happy, that's important. Going into a relationship, it helps to have a more clear understanding and label which addresses that problem before it really even is a problem.

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