Pansexual and Panromantic Visibility Day

According to the Canadian government, approximately four percent of the Canadian population is part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. A portion of this population identifies as panromantic or pansexual. Considering panromantic and pansexual identities have not always received the same visibility or understanding as other orientations in the community, it is important to both acknowledge and celebrate those who are panromantic and pansexual. That’s why May 24 is devoted each year to celebrating these communities as part of Panromantic and Pansexual Visibility and Awareness Day. 

For those unfamiliar with panromanticism, a panromantic orientation is one in which an individual is attracted to people of any gender romantically. More specifically, this might mean a person could be emotionally attracted to someone who identifies as male, female, gender nonbinary, or as trans. Panromantic individuals might not experience physical attraction to other people and instead often focus on emotional attractions to others regardless of gender. The term panromantic is often used by those on the asexual spectrum. 

Pansexual orientation is defined as a sexual attraction to people of any gender and is not to be confused with bisexuality. Pansexual individuals can be sexually attracted to those with any gender identity, such as trans, gender nonbinary, male, or female. Pansexual people can be attracted to people of all genders, both romantically and sexually. A few famous pansexual celebrities include Cara Delevingne, Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato, and Brendon Urie. 

Panromantic and Pansexual Visibility and Awareness Day is critical to helping increase understanding regarding panromantic and pansexual communities and to ensuring that these communities do not face erasure, stigmatization, or harmful stereotypes and prejudice. Therefore, help celebrate the day by educating your friends, family, and community and serving as an ally and advocating to promote inclusion and acceptance of panromantic and pansexual people.