Queer, Bi, Pan: I'm so confused!
You might have already heard the terms queer, bisexual, pansexual, but have no idea what they mean? We're here to help clear things up.
What does queer mean?
Queer is a term that can be used to talk about sexual and gender diversity more broadly. It refers to identifying as something other than the "norm" and the imposed model (heterosexuality and cisgender). It can be used to define one's sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
A queer person chooses this term to affirm their sexual orientation and gender identity, outside the norms and labels prescribed by society. People may choose this term because they don't want to be put into existing boxes like male or female, heterosexual or homosexual, etc. They may not identify with these boxes, or they may disagree with them altogether.
In essence, they want to allow themselves the opportunity to feel and express who they are in a more fluid way (gender identity) and to be attracted to whomever they want without having to label it (sexual orientation).
What is bisexuality?
Bisexuality is experiencing sexual, physical, and/or romantic attraction to people of the same gender and at least one other gender. For example, it's being attracted to both men AND women. A bisexual person can be attracted to two genders in the same way, but can also be attracted to each gender differently and may also have a preference for one gender over another.
What is pansexuality?
Pansexuality is experiencing sexual, physical, and/or romantic attraction to a person regardless of their gender or sex. So the person's gender, physical appearance, and sex don't factor into the attraction one feels (unlike bisexuality where it depends on gender).
Source: Interligne.
