For Pansexual and Panromantic visibility day, we have created a resource for people who fall under the Pansexual and Panromantic umbrella. We have advice, but are also signposting to other organisations who might be of help.

In 2021-2022, the pansexual community made up 11% of the young people we supported to access safe housing. 

We understand that pansexual people are sometimes left out of the conversation, so we would like to take the time to uplift pansexual and panromantic voices not just on this day, but all year round.

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Those in the pansexual and panromantic community are attracted to people of all genders. Some pansexual and panromantic people might be gender-blind, meaning that gender is insignificant in determining their attraction.

Some people prefer identify with being pansexual or panromantic rather than bisexual because they feel the word 'bisexual' has binary implications.

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The Pansexual Community throughout history:

1914

• The Oxford English Dictionary state that the word pansexual first appeared in 1914 as “pan-sexualism” in the Journal of Abnormal Psychology.

1970

• In the 1970s, during the height of the sexual revolution, the concept of pansexuality slowly began to enter public consciousness, providing a term to describe the desires that already existed for many people in the decades prior.

1990

• In the book, Bi Any Other Name, published in 1990, the authors Loraine Hutchins and Lani Ka'ahumanu state that "pansexual people have been actively involved in the bisexual community since the 1970s."

2010

• It was in 2010 that the pansexual flag first appeared on the web. The colours of the flag were intended to represent attraction and a gender spectrum, with cyan for attraction to men, pink for attraction to women, and yellow for attraction to non-binary and other gender diverse identities. 

2018

• In 2018, “pansexual” became one of the most widely searched terms in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. 

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Support services for the pansexual and panromantic community:

Although many of these services have 'Bisexual' in their name, they are are inclusive and welcome everyone in the multi-gender-attracted spectrum, including those in the pansexual and panromantic community. 

• Sheffied Bisexual/Pansexual Social Group aim to meet regularly in the city centre to form friendships and socialise amongst a likeminded community. 
• The Bi Pan Library offer a resource that looks in depth at the history of pansexuality. 
• Bi+ Ireland provide a safe space where bi+ people can make friends, access peer support and reduce any isolation they may experience. This group is inclusive and there for anyone who is attracted to more than one gender no matter how they identify. This includes pansexual, omnisexual, polysexual, queer people and more.
• Biscuit is a bi+ advocacy group that works to support the bi+ community, including those who identify as pansexual. The group have a specific focus on offering support to women and those of other marginalised genders.
• London Bisexuals Meetup Group was formed in 2007. It exists to build a bi+ community in London by providing a safe space for anyone curious about/or identifying under the bi+ umbrella, including those who are pansexual, panromantic queer, omnisexual or otherwise under the multi-gender-attracted spectrum. 
• London Bisexuals provide meet-ups in an environment for bisexual, pansexual, polysexual, queer, fluid or similarly non-monosexual people to make friends and chat in an informal space. It's also free to attend. 
• Liverpool Bi+ Group is an inclusive network for bisexual, pansexual and queer people to gain support, guidance and friends in a safe and welcoming environment. 
• Bi-Panic! Southampton is a social group for anyone in the Southampton area who is bisexual, pansexual or attracted to more than one gender.
• Stitch Bi Stitch is a relaxed, free and sober meet up group for bi+ and queer people who enjoy crafting. They meet monthly to craft and hang out for a few hours.
• Bi & Beyond Edinburgh are a group that host regular meetups online for those who are attracted to multiple genders. 

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Mental health helplines for the pansexual and panromantic community:

We understand that just because its Pansexual and Panromantic Visibility day, that doesn't change the struggles many LGBTQ+ people face with regards to their mental and physical wellbeing. If you are struggling please reach out to the following organisations who are ready to help:

• Galop LGBT+ Hate Crime Helpline is here for anyone who has experienced an anti-LGBT+ hate crime.
• LGBT Helpline Scotland offers information and emotional support to the entire LGBTQ+ community across Scotland, including pansexual queer, intersex and asexual people.
• MindOut offer online mental health support to LGBTQ+ people across the UK.
• LGBT+ switchboard can be contacted on 0800 0119 100 (Open 10:00-22:00 every day) or chat to them online.
• MindLine Trans+ offers mental health support to all trans and gender diverse people. Contact them on 0300 330 5468 (Mondays and Fridays, 8pm-midnight).
• The Mix is a free support service for anyone under the age of 25. You can contact them via email at [email protected].