Polysexuality is the attraction to many sexes, genders, and/or gender expressions, but not all. It should not be confused with polyamory: the desire for or practice of having multiple intimate partners with the consent of all individuals involved. Polysexual can be used as a separate identity or as an umbrella term for those who are interested in forming sexual or romantic relations with multiple genders. In other words, the word polysexual may be used as a general term for all those who are bisexual, pansexual, omnisexual, and many other identities.
Flag[]
The polysexual flag has three stripes:
- Pink: attraction to women
- Green: attraction to non-binary people
- Blue: attraction to men
Distinctions[]
Polysexuality is often compared to other mspec labels, most notably Bisexuality.
The distinction between these two labels is often ignored, but is very much present. For example, Bisexuality is a fluid identity, and can encompass attraction from two genders to all genders. Polysexuality would typically fall in between, encompassing attraction to 3+ genders, but not all of them. Preferences do not affect either labels' attraction. In contrast, Pansexuality and Bisexuality are both capable or do hold attraction to all genders, with the former having no preference to gender and the latter allowing preferences and lack thereof.
Etymology[]
The prefix poly-, meaning ‘many or more than one’, comes from the Greek polis, meaning ‘much or many’.
Days of Recognition[]
The following days of the year officially recognize Polysexual and Polyromantic folks.
- June 4th: Polysexual and Polyromantic Pride and Visibility Day