Demisexual VS Pansexual – What is the Difference

Demisexuality is about emotional connection, while pansexuality is physical attraction regardless of gender or sex. Here’s a detailed comparison of the two.

Are you trying to explore your sexuality but confused because you don’t know the difference between demisexuality and pansexuality?

If so, you are in luck, my dear friend. This post talks about both sexualities in detail and how they differ. I hope it’ll help you explore and understand where you lie and what interests you.

Unlike the older times when people used to follow societal norms. For them, marriage was the only way to be in a romantic relationship, or being attracted to the opposite gender was considered right. In today’s world, people are becoming more open-minded and ready to explore their sexuality. These days, individuals recognize their feelings.

They want to understand how their body responds when they feel for someone. Instead of fearing away, shying, or living in the shadows, individuals now openly talk about their sexual relationships. They like to discuss their feelings irrespective of gender and how they want to spend their life.

People are coming out as heterosexual, bisexual, asexual, and homosexual, and there are other identities of which they are not ashamed. However, two different sexualities are confusing people to some extent: demisexual and pansexual.

These two identities may seem challenging, but it becomes easy once the underlying difference is understood. People are talking about them on social media. Celebrities like Sadie Dupuis, Evan Edinger, and Giovanna Ewbank are coming out as demisexual.

At the same time, Cara Delevingne, Kehlani, and Janelle Monáethat as pansexual might make you think with whom you identify. The only way to get an answer is to understand the differences and similarities between both identities.

So, without talking much about who has declared themselves as pansexual or demisexual or who is yet exploring, let’s try to understand both identities in detail.

What is Demisexuality?

Demisexuality has nothing to do with gender. It is more about the emotional connection. It can be with anyone of any gender. What matters is the emotional and mental connection. For demisexuals, feelings are more important than gender.

A demisexual person always looks for an emotional connection. They cannot move further in a relationship if they do not feel any emotional connection. Demisexuals do not go for one-night stands or casual encounters. They can get intimate only when they find some connection mentally and emotionally. For them, bonding matters; this is why, many times, demisexuals are even considered asexual, but this doesn’t mean that they do not feel anything for others. Demisexuals feel physical attraction. There is sexual tension, but that only happens when an emotional connection is established.

What is pansexuality?

Taken from the German word “Pan,” which means “All,” this identity is not interested in emotional connection. A pansexual can get into a romantic relationship if they feel the attraction.

For them, attraction matters. Regardless of gender, pansexual people can get attracted to anyone. Gender is not the key factor due to this; most people often confuse it with bisexuality, but it is not right because both are different.

Bi means attracting to 2 genders, while pansexuals are gender blind. They can get directed to people of all genders that, includes trans, non-confirming any gender, or anyone that comes under the queer community,

Difference Between Pansexual and Demisexual Individuals

Often confused as one single identity, pansexual and Demi sexual are different. Here. We explain the key differences that will make it easy for you to set both these sexual identities apart from one another.

Pansexual	Demisexual
These people do not conform to one gender. For them, all genders are equal. They are gender Blind	They need an emotional connection to feel sexual attraction.
Pansexuals may or may not get into casual relationships depending on the person and their choices.	Casual relationships do not hold any value for them. They do not get into causal relationships.
Emotional connection is not important when getting into a physical or romantic relationship.	Mental and emotional connection are of the utmost importance; without them, one cannot get into a romantic relationship.
Gender is not correlated with getting attracted. What matters is attraction	Gender does not matter to them. What matters is an emotional and mental connection.
Pansexuals can get into a serious or causal relationship, depending upon the preference of the person.	Informal romantic relationships are off the table for them. Deep connections, closeness, and emotional compatibility matter.

Similarities between pansexual and demisexual

Indeed, there are certain similarities between pansexuals and demisexuals. A person can be demisexual and bisexual, but to be pansexual, they only need attraction. For demisexuals, emotional closeness is of utmost importance.

Without that being established, there cannot be any romantic relationship. However, for demi and pansexual people, gender does not matter, unlike other identities like gay, bi, or straight, where sexuality plays a major role in pan and demisexuality, attraction and emotional connection matter. These people, like other sexual identities, do not take time to decide their relationship and label it.

Demisexuality and pansexuality are the two sexual identities that exist.

Talking about sexual identities can feel tricky when you don’t know about them. However, once there is a clear explanation of how they differ, it becomes easy to identify self and in which category one falls. Sometimes, people don’t want to label themselves as they wish to explore different identities. Therefore, when explaining feelings, give them space and support them.

Explaining sexuality and how they feel about the same or opposite gender is not easy. If you do not relate to any identity and do not want to be labeled, it’s okay. But remember, labels sometimes give clarity, and you can change it when you learn more about yourself.

Demisexuals and pansexuals are a new addition to the LGBTQ+ umbrella, and this is why people use them interchangeably. We hope this post helps you understand their meaning and that you can now use them properly.

If you cannot decide where you stand, it is okay. Be comfortable with who you are. If you are labeling yourself so that you can be socially accepted, then you are wrong. Do not for external acceptance. Love yourself because everyone is unique, and you are, too.  Do what feels right to you and live the life you want.

Whether you identify yourself as pansexual, demisexual, or nothing, there is nothing wrong. Even if you are confused about your identity, don’t worry. Take your time and see what resonates with you. Don’t be afraid of owning your truth. Everyone deserves to be loved. Love yourself without any judgment, and stop looking for social validation.