A brief and simplistic explanation of pansexuality, bisexuality, gender-fluidity and the "gender binary" - apologies if there is any incorrect information.

1. BISEXUALITY, PANSEXUALITY
AND GENDERFLUIDITY
Bisexual pride flag
Pansexual pride flag
A symbol for genderfluidity
and non gender-conforming
people
About this PowerPoint:
This PowerPoint presentation focuses mainly on bisexuality and pansexuality, as well as trying to
explain the concept of genderfluidity and the gender binary. I apologise if any of these
definitions are incorrect, it is very difficult to find an accurate description of these difficult and
complicated concepts to explain simply.
SKIP TO SLIDE 6 FOR BASIC SUMMARY

2. DEFINITIONS OF BI- AND
PANSEXUALITY
• Bisexuality = attraction to the same and other genders (to
yourself), not necessarily two (despite the “bi-” prefix)
• Pansexuality or omnisexuality = attraction to all genders
(Note: A technically “correct” definition of these terms has not been set by the LBGQP community, but
these are the most logical definitions, in my opinion.)
Whilst these definitions overlap, pansexuality is generally
taken to be more inclusive of genderfluid people who do not
fit the “gender binary” (explanation on slide 4) i.e.,
pansexuality specifically includes people who do not
identify as male or female, whereas bisexuality does
not.
The diagram on the next slide explains bisexuality and
pansexuality.

3. pansexual
(omnisexual)
bisexual
overlapping
Diagram of “non-monosexualism” (not being attracted to one gender [not being
gay/straight]).
As you can see, the definitions of bisexuality and pansexuality overlap.

4. THE GENDER BINARY
The reason there is a lot of confusion about pansexuality is because many people are not aware that
there are more than two genders, because of the gender binary which society has created.
•
The gender binary, is a system that is created by society to place
gender into two polar opposites of male or female, or masculine and
feminine.
•
There are many people who do not fit the gender binary, such as
genderfluid or trans* individuals. These are individuals who do not
identify as male or female for whatever reason.
Genderfluidity, also written gender-fluidity, is a legitimate gender
identity and is not the same as being trans*.
•

5. GENDER IDENTITY –
GENDERFLUID AND TRANS*
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Assigned (Male/Female) at birth – the correct way of saying “born a
male/female” (which is considered incorrect and offensive by most trans*
and genderfluid communities)
Cis – someone who identfies with the gender they were assigned at birth
Trans* – someone who does not identify with the gender they were assigned
at birth
Genderfluid is a gender identity which means that you do not identify as
either male or female
Genderfluid is different to trans*
For example, someone who was assigned male at birth may identify as a
female later on in life. They are now a trans* female
However, someone who was assigned male at birth may not identify as male,
but may not identify themselves as a female either. This is called being
genderfluid

6. SUMMARY
• Bisexuality is the attraction to one or more
genders, pansexuality is the attraction to all.
Whilst these definitions overlap, they are not
the same sexual orientation.
• There are many people who do not fit the
male or female gender binary. These people
are called genderfluid people. It is not the
same as being trans*.