Help with understanding 'pansexual' term (Full Version)

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SubtleDifference -> Help with understanding 'pansexual' term (8/30/2007 5:29:12 AM)

I've often read the term 'pansexual'  and was curious to understand it better..

If I understand the term correctly, it describes an openness for "human" sexuality, regardless of born sex, gender identity, sexual orientation as long as it is consensual? Am I understanding this correctly?

Also when someone uses the term, is it used to describe their own sexuality (e.g. like bisexuality) or their acceptance of all forms of sexuality.

Thanks in advance!

Elena



Stephann -> RE: Help with understanding 'pansexual' term (8/30/2007 5:40:08 AM)

Hi Elena,

I've casually dated two lesbians.  Their preferred sexual and relationship partners were women.  This didn't mean we didn't enjoy each other's company, or that we couldn't enjoy each other sexually.  It only meant that generally, they preferred a lifestyle where their preferred long term mate would be another woman.  I don't/didn't consider them to be bisexual (though they did enjoy sex with men on occasion) nor pansexual (as their orientations were relatively fixed.)  That they preferred to call themselves lesbians, reflected a style of life they preferred.

I think 'pansexual' usually refers to an attitude of openness towards sexuality, as opposed to actively engaging and enjoy sex with either/both genders.  If someone tells me they are pansexual, I tend to assume (unless they clarify) that they are open to sexual and romantic relationships with people regardless of (vice in preference of) gender.  To me, this is a little different from bisexuality, where one enjoys men for being men, women for being women.  I also get the implication that when one is pansexual, they are usually polyamorous as well; someone who is bisexual doesn't mean (to me) polyamory automatically.

That's about how I see it.  The best thing to do when in doubt, though, is just ask.  I don't think I've ever talked with someone who professed to be pansexual, who was not more than happy to talk about sex [:D]

Stephan



mnottertail -> RE: Help with understanding 'pansexual' term (8/30/2007 5:41:06 AM)

pan as in panorama, or panoramic. Yes, you have the picture.

Edwin Land
The Polaroid Panoramic Picture Company



SubtleDifference -> RE: Help with understanding 'pansexual' term (8/30/2007 6:05:00 AM)

Thank you, Stephan.

That is how I understood it when I looked it up; it's more about the attitude of openness than the participation. But like you said, when in doubt...ask!

Thanks again for your insight!

Elena

P.S. By the way, I always enjoy reading your posts.




michaelOfGeorgia -> RE: Help with understanding 'pansexual' term (8/30/2007 6:06:18 AM)

the first time I heard the term "pansexual" (and this was a silly notion to say the least), images of people having sex with skillets came to mind...silly me...LOL



SubtleDifference -> RE: Help with understanding 'pansexual' term (8/30/2007 6:07:22 AM)

mnottertail -

I thought 'pan' meant 'all'?

Elena




SubtleDifference -> RE: Help with understanding 'pansexual' term (8/30/2007 6:09:29 AM)

Thanks, Michael, now I have visions of unspeakable acts with a skillet in my head! LOL

Elena



mnottertail -> RE: Help with understanding 'pansexual' term (8/30/2007 6:10:53 AM)

and panorama means:


  • An unbroken view of an entire surrounding area.
  • A comprehensive presentation; a survey: a panorama of American literature.
  • A picture or series of pictures representing a continuous scene, often exhibited a part at a time by being unrolled and passed before the spectator.
  • A mental vision of a series of events.
    Which is all, or all encompassing;  loosely.

    So, yes it means all. There is no cause for confusion here.

    Ron





    • michaelOfGeorgia -> RE: Help with understanding 'pansexual' term (8/30/2007 6:12:02 AM)

    quote:

    ORIGINAL: SubtleDifference

    Thanks, Michael, now I have visions of unspeakable acts with a skillet in my head! LOL

    Elena


    anytime...what are brats for anyway...but to make people think wierd things...LOL

    (gives a whole new meaning to "Cooking in the kitchen" huh?)

    [:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]



    michaelOfGeorgia -> RE: Help with understanding 'pansexual' term (8/30/2007 6:17:34 AM)

    and people thought the book "Joy of Cooking" was actually about cooking

    LOL



    e01n -> RE: Help with understanding 'pansexual' term (8/30/2007 6:23:57 AM)

    Just because I used to masturbate while watching Julia Child is no reason to get snippy with me Michael! [;)]

    I used to use the term to describe myself... then I said I was bi... then heteroflexible... and now I say as little as possible. I've experimented and found what works and what doesn't...

    But that openness to the ideas, pleasures and enjoyment of others - even if it's not your personal choice - is what I believe best fits the term pansexual. It's that "You kink is okay - it's just not my kink" thing...



    slavegirljoy -> RE: Help with understanding 'pansexual' term (8/30/2007 6:27:13 AM)

    pansexual
    (adj.) Relating to, having, or open to sexual activity of many kinds.
    (n.) A pansexual person.
     
    from the Greek prefix pan-, meaning "all"
    omni, Latin, from omnis, "all"
     
    Pansexual, also known as omnisexual, usually refers to a person, group, or organization that is open to all forms of sexual expression, regardless of gender or sexual orientation. 
     
    A pansexual person may not be interested in having all kinds of sexual activities, themself, but is accepting of those activities and those who engage in them.
     
    MAsT: DC_Pan is a pansexual chapter serving the Washington DC, Northern Virginia and Metropolitan MD area, which welcomes all genders and orientations.

    slave joy
    Owned property of Master David
    ______________________________________
    "Commitment transforms a promise into a reality."



    SubtleDifference -> RE: Help with understanding 'pansexual' term (8/30/2007 6:30:07 AM)

    Thanks, Ron.

    I get it now. Geez, maybe I should finish my coffee before I answer. ~smile~

    No more confusion, just now enlightened.

    Elena



    SubtleDifference -> RE: Help with understanding 'pansexual' term (8/30/2007 6:36:02 AM)

    Michael - As I poured another cup of much needed coffee, I see the Joy of Cooking on my shelf and my skillet hanging on the rack. So now I'll have to find some excuse why I've got that 'look' on my face while in the kitchen!

    e01n - Thanks for explaining. Ah, the things Julia Child could do with a chicken!

    Elena



    Dnomyar -> RE: Help with understanding 'pansexual' term (8/30/2007 8:24:50 AM)

    Michael have you thought about useing one of those big cast iron camping skillets. Good post slavegirljoy. 



    michaelOfGeorgia -> RE: Help with understanding 'pansexual' term (8/30/2007 8:36:12 AM)

    and I thought "I" was bad...you people crack me up...LOL



    LivingInSin -> RE: Help with understanding 'pansexual' term (8/30/2007 8:42:34 AM)

    quote:

    ORIGINAL: michaelOfGeorgia

    and I thought "I" was bad...you people crack me up...LOL


    truer words have never been typed [:)]

    http://www.desertdominion.org/  is the link to a local club in tucson, az that is pansexual.



    michaelOfGeorgia -> RE: Help with understanding 'pansexual' term (8/30/2007 8:45:47 AM)

    something else just occured to me...what about "Peter Pan" sexual?

    [sm=biggrin.gif][sm=biggrin.gif][sm=biggrin.gif][sm=biggrin.gif][sm=biggrin.gif][sm=biggrin.gif][sm=biggrin.gif][sm=biggrin.gif]



    SubtleDifference -> RE: Help with understanding 'pansexual' term (8/30/2007 8:47:15 AM)

    Thank you, slavegirljoy. I appreciate the definitions.

    You mentioned a pansexual chapter in the DC area. It brought to mind another question. Is pansexual a term used primarily within the bdsm community?

    Elena



    SubtleDifference -> RE: Help with understanding 'pansexual' term (8/30/2007 8:48:43 AM)

    Thanks for the link, LivinginSin!



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