- This article is about the umbrella term of multiple-attraction identities. For the identity label for individuals, see Multisexual.
The multisexual spectrum (abbreviated m-spec)[1] is also known as multiple-attraction spectrum,[2] or multi-attraction spectrum.[1] It is an umbrella term for sexual orientations in which a person is sexually and/or romantically attracted to more than one gender and/or sex. Multisexuality collectively includes labels such as bisexual, omnisexual, pansexual, and queer,[3][4] along with the standalone multisexual label.[4] Since the word multisexual can be used as an individual label and as a descriptor of different labels, this article addresses its use as the latter.
The use of the label bisexual for anyone who is attracted to multiple genders[1][5][6] (also rendered as bisexual+ or bi+)[1][6] instead of multisexual is a matter of personal preference, not a hard distinction.[1]
Community[]
Identities under the umbrella[]
- Main article: Multisexual
Bisexual[]
- Main article: Bisexual
The bisexual pride flag
Bisexual, also abbreviated as bi, is a sexual orientation encompassing attraction to multiple genders and/or sexes,[7][8][9][4][6][10] with the attraction being sexual, romantic, and/or emotional.[10] Bisexuality is not limited to the gender binary, but it is often misunderstood as that.[9] The term does not have a single, universal definition or strict rules as to who may identify as bisexual. The many definitions include the following:
- Attraction to women and men,[7][8] sometimes phrased as "both sexes"[7]
- Attraction to people of the same gender as one's self and to people of other genders[8][9]
- Attraction to more than one gender[8][4][6][10] or more than one sex[10]
- Attraction to two genders[9][4]
- Attraction to all genders[6]
- Or definitions may be based on engagement in romantic or sexual relationships instead of attractions[10]
Bisexuals may experience attraction regardless of gender[6] or regardless of sex,[7] feel equally attracted to the genders they are attracted to,[4] or may have a preference for and be primarily or more strongly attracted to one (or more) gender compared to the other(s).[7][4] Some bisexuals are attracted to different genders in different ways.[7][4] Others feel attracted to one gender or sex at some times and not others.[7]
Omnisexual[]
- Main article: Omnisexual
The omnisexual pride flag
Omnisexuality is the sexual attraction to people of all sexes and gender identities, wherein gender plays a role in one's attraction. This could be a preference or a recognition, and the attraction may feel different depending on the gender or sex.[11] Some omnisexual individuals may be more attracted to certain genders, but that is not always the case.[12]
Pansexual[]
- Main article: Pansexual
The pansexual pride flag
Pansexuality, also abbreviated as pan, is a sexual orientation encompassing attraction to multiple genders,[4][13][14][15] with the attraction being physical, romantic, and/or emotional.[13][14] The term has been variously defined as attracted to all genders,[14][15] capable of attraction to any or all gender(s),[4] or capable of attraction to anyone, regardless of gender identity.[13]
Definitions also vary regarding how gender and attraction interact for pansexuals. A common perception is that pansexuality means a person's attractions are not influenced by gender. However, pansexuals may feel that gender does not matter[4][13][16] or instead feel it is a factor in the way they are attracted. Some pansexuals are attracted to different genders in different ways, or they are more attracted to particular genders.[4]
Pansexuality is part of the bisexual umbrella—anyone who is attracted to more than one gender.[5] The Bisexual Resource Center uses "bisexual+" or "bi+" to distinguish the umbrella usage from the singular term.[6] Pan is also in the multiple-attraction spectrum (aka m-spec).[2] In both umbrellas, pansexual is alongside the labels omnisexual, polysexual, and others.[5][6][2] While m-spec[2] and bisexual[5][6] both encompass pansexual,[5][6][2] bi is considered part of m-spec.[2]
Polysexual[]
- Main article: Polysexual
The polysexual pride flag
Polysexuality, sometimes known as plysexuality or polisexuality, is the sexual attraction to various, but not necessarily all, genders.[17][18] A polysexual person may experience sexual attraction to any number of genders, varying between (at least) two and many. Polysexual individuals may have a preference when it comes to which gender they are attracted to, but this is not necessarily the case.[19]
Queer[]
- Main article: Queer
A common queer flag
Queer is an identifier for individuals who are not exclusively heterosexual in their sexual orientation,[20] who use it in reference to their gender identity and/or gender expression (as a standalone term or part of another like genderqueer),[21][22] or who are fluid in their identities, as well as an umbrella term for the entire community.[23] It is also used instead of lesbian, bisexual, or gay by some people who find those terms too limiting or loaded with connotations that do not apply to them.[21]The "Q" in LGBTQIA+ and similar acronyms commonly means Queer.[20] As a reclaimed word, it has been used in fights for LGBTQIA+ rights and liberation[24] as an inclusive and sometimes defiant term.[23] PFLAG and GLAAD are two of the organizations that recommend only using it for people who self-identify as queer because it has varying meanings and is not universally accepted.[20][23] In addition, the term may be used in preference to other identifiers by members, for a variety of reasons.[25]
Distinction[]
The use of "plurisexual" regarding multisexuality is specific to academia.[1][26][27][28] The authors M. Paz Galupo, Renae C. Mitchell, and Kyle S. Davis categorized multisexual as a plurisexual identity, which they defined as "identities that are not explicitly based on attraction to one sex and leave open the potential for attraction to more than one sex/gender; e.g., bisexual, pansexual, queer, fluid". They contrasted plurisexual with monosexual and used it instead of non-monosexual "because it does not linguistically assume monosexual as the ideal conceptualization of sexuality." Unlike the label "multisexual", plurisexual was not used by study participants as a self-identifier;[note 1] it was used by the authors for description and categorization of identity labels.[29]
Notes[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 "You Can Stand Under My Bi+ Umbrella: Exploring Students' Chosen Plurisexual Identity Labels" by Victoria Barbosa Olivo, Kaity Prieto, and Olivia M. Copeland in LGBTQIA Students in Higher Education: Approaches to Student Identity and Policy, with Kaity Prieto and Andrew Herridge (editors). Published 2024 by IGI Global. ISBN 9798369328538. (web archive)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 "What does 'm-spec' mean?" on The Bi Pan Library. Published 2021-10-17. (Archived on 2024-04-21)
- ↑ "Multisexual Youth Mental Health: Risk and Protective Factors for Bisexual, Pansexual, and Queer Youth Who are Attracted to More than One Gender" by The Trevor Project on The Trevor Project. Published 2021-04-23. (Archived on 2023-09-30)
- ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 The ABC's of LGBT+ by Ash Hardell. Published 2016 by Mango Media. ISBN 9781633534087.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 "The Bi Umbrella" on Bi.org. Published by The American Institute of Bisexuality. (Archived on 2024-04-10)
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 6.8 6.9 "What is Bisexuality?" on Bisexual Resource Center. (Archived on 2024-02-02)
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 "What is Bisexuality?" on Bi.org. Published by The American Institute of Bisexuality. (Archived on 2024-02-02)
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 "What is Bisexual?" by WebMD Editorial Contributors on WebMD. Medically reviewed 2023-07-07 by C. Nicole Swiner, MD (Archived on 2024-02-16)
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 The Queens' English: The LGBTQIA+ Dictionary of Lingo and Colloquial Phrases by Chloe O. Davis. Published 2021 by Clarkson Potter/Publishers. ISBN 9780593135006, ISBN 9780593135013 (Ebook)
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 "Understanding Bisexuality" on American Psychological Association. (no backup information provided)
- ↑ "What Is Omnisexual?" on <webmd.com>. Published by WebMD. (no backup information provided)
- ↑ "Omnisexual: A Closer Look at Omnisexuality" (original link down) on <queersforacause.com>. Published by Queers for a Cause. (no backup information provided)
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 "Glossary of Terms: LGBTQ" by GLAAD on GLAAD Media Reference Guide – 11th Edition. Published 2022. Pansexual: "An adjective used to describe a person who has the capacity to form enduring physical, romantic, and/ or emotional attractions to any person, regardless of gender identity. This is one of several terms under the bi+ umbrella." (Archived on 2024-04-11)
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 "National Glossary of Terms" by PFLAG on <pflag.org>. Pansexual: "Refers to a person whose emotional, romantic and/or physical attraction is to people inclusive of all genders. People who are pansexual need not have had any sexual experience: It is the attraction and self-identification that determine the orientation." (Archived on 2024-02-20)
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 The Queens' English: The LGBTQIA+ Dictionary of Lingo and Colloquial Phrases by Chloe O. Davis. Published 2021 by Clarkson Potter/Publishers. Pansexual: "A sexual orientation where a person is attracted to people of all—'pan' is a prefix meaning 'all'—genders and sexualities." [...] "Some people view ‘pansexual’ as a more expansive and inclusive label than 'bisexual.'" [...] "Want more info? Think: Love knows no gender." ISBN 9780593135006, ISBN 9780593135013 (Ebook)
- ↑ "Pansexuality: What It Means" by WebMD Editorial Contributors on WebMD. Medically reviewed 2021-10-20 by Isabel Lowell, MD (Archived on 2024-01-21)
- ↑ "Queer 101" by Old Dominian University on Old Dominian University - LGBTQIA+ Initiatives. (Archived on 2021-10-25)
- ↑ "The Gay BC's of LGBT+: An Accompaniment to The ABC's of LGBT+" by Ash Hardell on <mango.bz> (e-book). Published 2017-11-09 by Mango Publishing Group. (backup link not available)
- ↑ "What Is Polysexuality?" on <webmd.com>. Published by WebMD. (no backup information provided)
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 "Glossary of Terms: LGBTQ" by GLAAD on GLAAD Media Reference Guide – 11th Edition. Published 2022. (Archived on 2024-04-11)
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 "Glossary of Terms - Lesbian / Gay / Bisexual / Queer" (original link down) by GLAAD on GLAAD Media Reference Guide - 10th Edition. (Archived on 2022-02-03)
- ↑ "Gender Census 2021: Worldwide Report" by Cassian on Gender Census. Published 2021-04-01. (Archived on 2021-11-21)
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 "National Glossary of Terms" by PFLAG on <pflag.org>. (Archived on 2024-02-20)
- ↑ "Queer" by The Trans Language Primer on The Trans Language Primer. (Archived on 2021-11-05)
- ↑ "Coming to an Asexual Identity: Negotiating Identity, Negotiating Desire" by Scherrer, Kristin on <ncbi.nlm.nih.gov>. Published October 1, 2008 by National Center for Biotechnology Information. (no backup information provided)
- ↑ "4 Plurisexual Identity Labels and the Marking of Bisexual Desire" by M. Paz Galupo in Bisexuality: Theories, Research, and Recommendations for the Invisible Sexuality. Published 2018 isbn=9783-319-71535-3 by Cham: Springer International Publishing. (web archive)
- ↑ "Sexuality and sexual identity across the first year of parenthood among male-partnered plurisexual women" by Abbie E. Goldberg, Melissa H. Manley, Themal Ellawala, and Lori E. Ross on PubMed Central (author manuscript). Published 2018-10-15. Originally published online, then as publisher's final edited form in Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity #6, March 2019 (Archive link)
- ↑ "'Bisexuality Isn't Exclusionary': A Qualitative Examination of Bisexual Definitions and Gender Inclusivity Concerns among Plurisexual Women" by Allison E. Cipriano, Daniel Nguyen, and Kathryn J. Holland on Taylor & Francis Online. Published 2022-04-10 by Taylor & Francis Group in Journal of Bisexuality, volume 22, issue 4.. ISSN: 1529-9716 (backup link not available)
- ↑ 29.0 29.1 "Sexual Minority Self-Identification: Multiple Identities and Complexity" by M. Paz Galupo, Renae C. Mitchell, and Kyle S. Davis in Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity, vol. 2, no. 4. Published 2015. (web archive)