For many Indians who are struggling to understand that people of the same sex can be attracted to one another, singer American singer Miley Cyrus’ recent remarks could come, to put it mildly, as a shocker – she’s ok with sexual relationships with any consenting adult(s), regardless of sexual orientation or gender. Not necessarily one at a time.
There’s a word for it, apparently. Actually two. At least.
The singer who’s perhaps most known for her wrecking-ball music video, said in a recent interview, that she was pansexual.
Miley was the face of Elle UK magazine’s 30th anniversary edition, the cover story of which, focused on the fluid sexuality, end of gender, and trans-revolution.
The LGBT activist who has been dating Victoria's Secret Angel Stella Maxwell for a few months told the magazine “I am pansexual. I am not in a relationship. I am 22. I am going on dates, but I change my style every two weeks, let alone who I am with.”
In an earlier interview with Paper magazine in June, she had said: “I am literally open to every single thing that is consenting and doesn't involve an animal and everyone is of age. Everything that's legal, I am down with. I am down with any adult - anyone over the age of 18 who is down to love me. I don't relate to being boy or girl, and I don't have to have my partner relate to boy or girl.”
According to the American Heritage Dictionary of English Language says that “pansexuals” (also called “omnisexuals”) are people who are sexually attracted to people of any sex or gender identity. They may refer to themselves as gender-blind asserting that gender and sex are insignificant to determine romantic love or emotional attraction towards others.
For those familiar with the word “bi-sexual”, there’s a thin line of difference. A bisexual person is one who is comfortable with sexual relationships with people of both sexes, but usually has a preference for one sex.
The distinguishing factor between a bisexual person and a pansexual individual however, is the partner’s sexual orientation and gender identity. A pansexual person could have sexual relationships with a person of any gender (transperson, or non-gendered person) or sexual orientation (heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual).