Pansexuality is a sexual orientation that is characterized by attraction to people regardless of their gender identity or expression. Pansexual people are often attracted to people of all genders, including cisgender, transgender, and non-binary people.
The term “pansexual” was coined in 1990 by activist and pansexual rights advocate Don Hardy. The word “pan” comes from the Greek word “pan,” which means “all.” This reflects the pansexual understanding of gender, which is that gender is a spectrum and that there are many different ways to express gender.
The Future of Pansexuality
The future of pansexuality is bright. As more and more people become aware of pansexuality, it is likely that pansexual visibility will continue to increase. This will lead to a more accepting society for pansexual people.
In addition, as pansexuality becomes more accepted, it is likely that the definition of pansexuality will continue to evolve. As more people come to understand the nuances of gender and sexuality, it is likely that the definition of pansexuality will become more complex.
In this article, we will explore 20 celebrities who have publicly identified as pansexual, embracing their authentic selves and becoming advocates for greater inclusivity and acceptance.
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1. Janelle Monáe
Janelle Monáe, a highly acclaimed singer, songwriter, and actress, is widely recognized for her notable performances in films like “Moonlight” and “Hidden Figures.” From the beginning, Monáe has been open about her sexuality, initially identifying as bisexual. However, in a candid 2018 interview with Rolling Stone, she shared that she also identifies as pansexual.
Throughout her career, Monáe has been a staunch advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, infusing her music with powerful themes of gender and sexuality. Her goal is to utilize her influential platform to destigmatize and normalize pansexuality, demonstrating to individuals that embracing their unique identities is not only acceptable but also celebrated.
2. JoJo Siwa
JoJo Siwa, a multi-talented performer and social media sensation, has risen to international stardom, becoming an influential figure for young audiences worldwide. Recognized for her vibrant personality and trademark bows, Siwa has effortlessly captured the hearts of fans with her infectious energy. In early 2021, Siwa fearlessly embraced her authentic self and proudly came out as pansexual, revealing her truth to her devoted fan base.
Initially, she expressed her hesitance in labeling herself, but two months later, in an interview with People Magazine, Siwa shared that she considers herself “Ky-sexual” due to her girlfriend’s name being Kylie. She also acknowledged using labels such as “gay,” “queer,” and “pansexual” to describe her identity.
Siwa’s candidness and self-acceptance reflect her unwavering commitment to being true to herself, inspiring countless individuals to embrace their own unique identities with love and pride. In her own words, Siwa beautifully expressed, “Technically, I would say that I am pansexual because that’s how I have always been my whole life. It’s just like, my human is my human.”
3. Cara Delevingne
Cara Delevingne, British supermodel and actress recently reaffirmed her pansexuality in an interview with Variety. The model and actor said that she is attracted to people regardless of their gender identity or expression. Cara Delevingne said, “I always will remain, I think, pansexual.” She continued, “However one defines themselves, whether it’s ‘they’ or ‘he’ or ‘she,’ I fall in love with the person—and that’s that. I’m attracted to the person.”
The interview took place a few weeks after Delevingne’s separation from her long-term partner, Ashley Benson. Their relationship began in 2018 and was publicly confirmed in 2019, but they announced their split in April 2020. Throughout her life, Delevingne has embraced relationships with both men and women, including notable figures like Harry Styles, Michelle Rodriguez, and St. Vincent. Her diverse romantic experiences have not hindered her success as an actor, having appeared in notable films and television shows such as “Paper Towns,” “Suicide Squad,” and “Only Murders in the Building.”
4. Kesha
In a 2013 interview with Seventeen, Kesha shared her thoughts on attraction. She said, “I don’t love just men. I love people. It’s not about a gender. It’s just about the spirit that exudes from that other person you’re with.” She has released several albums, including “Animal,” “Rainbow,” and “High Road.”
5. Brendon Urie
In 2018, Brendon Urie, the lead vocalist of Panic! at the Disco, publicly revealed his pansexuality. Despite being married to Sarah Orzechowski(Urie) since 2013, Urie shared that he is open to relationships with individuals of any gender. He stated, “I’m married to a woman, but I’m not opposed to being with a man,” further expressing his indifference towards gender when it comes to love and connection.
Urie’s candidness about his pansexuality has fostered understanding and acceptance, as he embraces the idea that a person’s greatness is what truly matters. Alongside his bandmates, Urie has released several successful albums, including “A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out,” “Pretty. Odd.,” and “Vices & Virtues.”
6. Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus came out as pansexual in 2015, saying, “I don’t relate to being boy or girl, and I don’t have to have my partner be a girl or a boy.” She continued, “I’m attracted to people’s souls.” Cyrus has been in several relationships, including Liam Hemsworth and Kaitlynn Carter.
7. Kehlani
Kehlani is a singer and songwriter who has been open about her sexuality since 2017. She has said that she is “queer,” which is an umbrella term that can be used to describe people who are not exclusively attracted to people of one gender.
Kehlani has also said that she is “really attracted to queer men, non-binary people, intersex people, and trans people.” She has used the terms “pansexual” and “polysexual” to describe her sexuality, which means that she is attracted to people of all genders.
8. Madison Bailey
Madison Bailey, the actor who plays Kiara Carrera on the Netflix show Outer Banks, spoke about her experience coming out as pansexual in an Instagram Live. She said, “I feel zero shame, and I don’t feel that way because nobody’s ever really shamed me for it. I know a lot of people have had a lot of hate and lack of support. I know so many, countless stories of queer people that did not have support.”
Bailey went on to say that she feels “lighter” and “happier” now that she is open about her sexuality. She said, “It feels nice.”
9. Bella Thorne
Bella Thorne, the actor and singer, came out as pansexual in an interview with Good Morning America. She said that she had previously identified as bisexual, but after someone explained the term “pansexual” to her, she realized that it was a better fit for her.
Thorne said that she was first introduced to the term “pansexual” by a friend. She said, “They explained to me that pansexuality is not just being attracted to men and women, but it’s being attracted to someone for who they are, not just their gender.”
Thorne said that she felt like the term “pansexual” better represented her because it allowed her to be attracted to people of all genders. She said, “I think that’s the most important thing. It’s about the person, not the gender.”
10. Tess Holliday
Tess Holliday, the plus-size supermodel, came out as pansexual in an interview with NYLON in July 2019. She said that she had been thinking about her sexuality for a long time, and that the term “pansexual” spoke to her more than “bisexual”.
11. Demi Lovato
In a 2021 interview on The Joe Rogan Experience, Demi Lovato revealed that they identify as pansexual. They said that they are attracted to people of all genders, and that they are not sure if they will end up with a male or female partner.
Lovato said that they have been “super closeted off” in the past, and that this has contributed to their fluid sexuality. They said that they are “so fluid now” and that they are open to the possibility of being with anyone, regardless of their gender.
Rogan asked Lovato if “sexually fluid” meant that they were romantically interested in both men and women. Lovato responded, “Yeah, pansexual. [I like] anything, really.”
12. Courtney Act
Courtney Act, the Australian drag queen and singer, identifies as pansexual and gender-fluid. She has said that she is attracted to people irrespective of their gender, and that she has had “sexual and emotional experiences” with both men and women.
Act has said that she is often presumed to be gay, but that she does not identify with that label. She said, “I am mostly attracted to guys, but I’ve had experiences with people of different genders. I feel like if I’m attracted to someone I’ll see where that takes me, rather than be like, ‘That’s a girl, I don’t like girls’. I just see what happens.”
13. Jazz Jennings
Jazz Jennings, the American transgender youth advocate and reality TV personality, came out as pansexual in an interview with Dazed magazine in 2018. She said that she is attracted to people for who they are on the inside, regardless of their gender.
Jennings said, “I’m still exploring. I think I’m physically attracted to guys but I know I could potentially be emotionally attracted to girls. I’m just attracted to people for who they are on the inside.”
She continued, “That’s what it is to be pansexual, you know – loving people for who they are on the inside, no matter their label. Just loving someone. So I guess I am pansexual, but I don’t know because I haven’t fallen in love.”
14. Yungblud
Yungblud, the English rapper and singer, came out as pansexual in 2020. He said that he had been struggling with his sexuality for a long time, and that Halsey had helped him to understand it better.
Yungblud said, “I’ve always felt like I’ve been attracted to people regardless of their gender. I’ve been with men and I’ve been with women, and I’ve been with people who identify as non-binary. I just like people for who they are.”
He continued, “Halsey has been really supportive of me. She’s helped me to understand my identity more than I ever had before. She’s taught me that it’s okay to be different, and that I don’t have to fit into any kind of box.”
15. Sia
Sia, the Australian singer-songwriter, has never officially labeled her sexuality. However, she has said that she is attracted to people regardless of their gender.
In an interview with Same Same, Sia said, “Before I was actually successful, I’d always said I’ve always dated boys and girls and anything in between. I don’t care what gender you are, it’s about people. I’ve always been … well, flexible is the word I would use.”
These celebrities have helped to raise awareness of pansexuality and to challenge stereotypes about gender and sexuality. Their visibility has made it easier for other pansexual people to feel accepted and understood.
Pansexuality is a beautiful and valid sexual orientation. It is important to remember that everyone experiences their sexuality differently, and there is no one right way to be pansexual. If you are pansexual, be proud of who you are and know that you are not alone.
Additional Information:
- Pansexuality is not the same as bisexuality. Bisexual people are attracted to two or more genders, while pansexual people are attracted to people of all genders.
- There is no one right way to be pansexual. Some pansexual people may prefer to use gender-neutral pronouns, while others may not.
- It is important to be respectful of pansexual people’s pronouns and identities. If you are unsure how to refer to someone, it is always best to ask.
The Importance of Celebrities Coming Out as Pansexual
The visibility of celebrities who identify as pansexual is crucial in promoting acceptance and understanding within society. By publicly embracing their pansexuality, these celebrities challenge societal norms and stereotypes surrounding sexual orientation. Their openness encourages individuals who may be struggling with their own identities to feel seen, accepted, and validated. Additionally, the influence and reach of these celebrities allow them to be powerful advocates for LGBTQ+ rights, contributing to greater inclusivity and representation in the media.
FAQs
Wrapping up
The visibility and openness of celebrities who have come out as pansexual have significantly contributed to the acceptance and understanding of pansexuality. Their courage to embrace their authentic selves has empowered others to do the same and has sparked important conversations about inclusivity and diversity. By celebrating and supporting these individuals, we can foster a society that embraces people of all sexual orientations, promoting love, acceptance, and equality.
