Bisexual Erasure is a term used to describe one’s actions or claims that relate to the idea that bisexuality does not exist. Though many members of this community experience some sort of homophobia at least once in their lifetime, identifying as pansexual or panromantic should not be seen as any sort of threat towards the bi community.
The true definition of pansexuality is rather muddled, for some that identify as such see things differently than others. However, many who are a part of that spectrum report having feelings for a person based more on their personality than their looks or gender. The meaning of bisexuality is also vague, but the main idea is that the term is used by somebody who experiences attraction to two or more genders. Though these two identities might sound different, it’s important to remember that these terms are extremely flexible and that they both fall under the LGBTQ+ category.
Sexualities are labels, and are free to be changed with the feelings of the person who is using them. It’s perfectly fine for someone to change their identity from one to another, because as we grow older it becomes clearer what we want to do with our lives. Not much is set in stone, and if someone is comfortable with their current label, it should give you no reason to attack them for it, especially if you’re not a part of that community yourself.
On social media or in opinionated pieces by people I do or don’t know, I’ve begun to see an increase on Bi-Erasure through Pansexuality. One of the main ideas behind that movement is the concept that bisexuality and pansexuality have two separate and extremely conforming meanings. A common argument might be that pansexuality dilutes the concept of a bisexual being able to love more than two genders. Although people who identify as bisexual most likely have the right intention to be angry, one thing to realize is the fact you are causing more harm than right in this situation. The pan community isn’t trying to upset you, because everyone on the spectrum should be aware that sexualities can be fluid, and that bisexuals can indeed be attracted to more than two sexes. Everyone who is an ally to or identifies as LGBTQ+ should be able to realize that identifying as pansexual is more of a comfortable term for one to use than others, and that shouldn’t be a problem at all. Feeling safe in one’s own shoes is surely something we all strive for, and everyone on the spectrum is roughly on the same boat. To claim that identifying as pansexual is a form of bi-erasure is extremely closed-minded, and in reality, homophobic.
