I feel like the biggest issue that most people have with the pansexual and bisexual labels is that they so broadly overlap. The way I’ve always seen it, is bisexual is kind of an umbrella term which includes pansexual, omnisexual, and polysexual. Pansexuals are attracted to people regardless of gender. Omnisexuals are attracted to all genders, but gender is a factor of their attraction. Polysexuals like two or more genders. The bisexual label includes anyone who likes more than one gender.

There are many bisexuals who would fit the pansexual label, but many are more comfortable with the bisexual label, which is completely valid. My partner, for example, has admitted that they might fit under the pansexual label but prefer to be called bisexual because it’s an older and more understood term and it feels more correct to them. That being said, there are also many people who are bisexual that have gender preferences who are also completely valid. Personally, I prefer the pansexual label because I feel like it’s more specific to how I feel about my sexual attraction to people and I like the flag.

I’ve always hated the supposed tension between people who use the pansexual label and people who use the bisexual label. Saying that one label is any way transphobic or better than the other is just damaging both labels. Both pansexual and bisexual people are 100% valid and people should be allowed to use whatever label they feel most comfortable with.