There's A Key Difference Between Identifying As Omnisexual And Pansexual
As people feel safer and more comfortable exploring their varying sexualities and romantic preferences, more language develops to articulate and validate those experiences as well. One term that’s becoming more familiar to people is "omnisexual."
But hey, no worries if this word is totally new to you. Basically, omnisexual is an identity that describes someone’s sexual orientation, which is who they are attracted to on a romantic or sexual level. It falls under the under the umbrella of the LGBTQ+ spectrum of sexualities, such as gay, straight, bisexual, pansexual, and more.
Those who identify as omnisexual can be attracted to anyone no matter their gender, says board-certified sexologist Debra Laino, PhD. Additionally, people who are omnisexual recognize the gender of the person they’re attracted to, such as a man, woman, or non-binary person, Laino explains.
Still a smidgen confused? Think of it this way: The Latin term "omni" means "all things," so it makes sense that omnisexual means being physically and romantically attracted to all gender identities.
But if you’re still looking for some clarity, here's everything you need to know about identifying as omnisexual, what being omnisexual looks like in relationships, how you can be supportive to omnisexual folks, the difference between omnisexual and pansexual, and more, according to sex and relationship experts.
What does it mean to be omnisexual?
As mentioned, being omnisexual means that you are sexually attracted to multiple or all genders, says Jenni Skyler, PhD, a certified sex therapist, sexologist, and director of The Intimacy Institute. (Remember: "omni" means all things!)
An important distinction: You also might be attracted to all of the genders in different ways, such as feeling one way about men, another way about women, non-binary people, etc. The point is that omnisexual people recognize the role gender plays in their attraction to a person, Laino says, but gender isn’t why they like a person, per se.
What's the difference between omnisexual vs. pansexual?
At this point you might be thinking okay, so what is the distinction between omnisexual and pansexual then? Aren’t pansexual people attracted to all genders as well? In short, the answer is yes and no.
Pansexuality means that you’re attracted to all people, too, Laino explains. The thing is—pansexual people don’t recognize the gender of a person in their attraction to them. They might go off of the energy a person radiates, how they look physically, their personality, and more. But, none of the reasons they’re attracted to an individual has to do with their gender.
For more information on how to navigate romantic relationships of all kinds, watch this:
On the flip side, omnisexual people do recognize that a person's gender plays a role in the way they are attracted to them—while also still being attracted to all genders. It may seem like a small distinction, but it's an important one.
How can I tell if I'm omnisexual?
Wondering how you would know whether you’re omnisexual or not? "It’s an internal feeling," Laino explains. Meaning, it's time for some self-reflection: Do you notice yourself being attracted to all types and genders of people? Do you find yourself wanting to be sexual with a variety of human beings?
Answering yes to these questions may mean there’s more parts of your sexuality to explore. "When somebody is just fluidly attracted to people, no matter their gender, you could fall into the realm of being omnisexual," Laino says.
Similar to being drawn toward all genders, you might notice a lack of aversion to specific genders as well. For example: If someone is straight, they might experience an aversion to the idea of being sexual or romantic with the same gender.
If you’re omnisexual, though, you might not necessarily feel that aversion based on gender alone. (Perhaps someone just isn’t a great person and you don’t like them, ha.)
Does this all seem like a lot to take in? "If you’re stressed, don’t worry so much about the label," Laino says. Just see how you feel when you’re around a variety of people and go from there.
Bottom line: Don’t pressure yourself to claim a specific identity if you don’t feel drawn to it—some people prefer to ditch labels altogether anyways!
How does being omnisexual play a role in romantic relationships?
While labels can feel limiting at times, being omnisexual in a relationship can actually make things feel super open, Laino says. "Instead of being in a box where you can only be with one particular gender or sexuality, you can be with anyone, and that can feel freeing," explains Laino.
When it comes to dating, you might even feel you have more choices when picking a partner if you identify as omnisexual, Skyler adds. Basically, since you’re not limited to one gender, you have more freedom when it comes to who you like and who you want to go out with, which could (and should) be fun!
That said, if an omnisexual person gets into a relationship with someone who doesn't identify the same way, they should make sure their partner is comfortable enough with themselves to date someone who doesn’t discriminate their sexual attraction based on gender, Laino says.
"Their partner will have to be open-minded," Skyler affirms. Otherwise, they might find themselves feeling anxious, paranoid, or jealous about the extent of their partner's natural attraction to others.
What does it look like to identify as omnisexual?
"In practice, I don’t think it looks much different than any other identity," Laino says. Like the other identities on the spectrum of being LGBTQ+, you can go on dates, have hookups, be in romantic relationships, be in sexual relationships, or just stay single and explore yourself on your own, Skyler explains.
Also like any other sexuality, the openness and fluidity of omnisexuality can and, realistically, does look different for everyone. It all depends on how you prefer to express yourself and present IRL. There’s no one true meaning of what it looks like to identify as omnisexual.
How can I support family or friends who identify as omnisexual?
If you’re not personally omnisexual but are looking for ways to support those in your life who might identify as such, that’s great. Most of the time, being supportive can start with just being aware.
"A lot of things come down to education. Just try to stay educated on the fact that not everything is binary, especially when it comes to sexuality," Laino says.
Try staying up-to-date about the various labels that people might use when they’re expressing themselves, the way LGBTQ+ people are impacted by legislation across the country, donate to organizations that educate others about queerness, and more.
If you still don’t fully understand what it means to be omnisexual, you can also do more of your own research online or ask questions from a place of curiosity rather than hostility. At the very least, you also can just "mind your own business," Laino says.
"In truth, it’s not really anyone’s business about who someone is attracted to," Laino says. And if it’s not harming you, who cares, right?
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