Omnisexual: Difference between revisions

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'''Omnisexuality''' (often shortened to '''omni''') is a [[multisexual]] orientation defined as the [[Sexual Attraction|sexual attraction]] to all genders, where gender often still plays a role in one's attraction. Some omnisexuals have a gender preference and some do not.

==Etymology==

The prefix ''omni-'' comes from the Latin word ''omnis'', meaning "all".<ref>http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/omnis#Latin</ref> ''Pan-'', which the term pansexual comes from, also means "all" but is of ancient Greek origin.

==Omnisexuality Compared to Other Multisexual Identities==

Omnisexuality is often compared to [[Pansexual|pansexuality]] as they both describe an attraction to all genders, however they can also be distinguished from one another, often being used to indicate a specific and personal experience of one's attraction to all genders.

The most commonly cited difference is that omnisexuals factor gender into their attraction to a person, whereas pansexuals generally do not feel any internal difference between genders, or that any difference felt between genders is irrelevant, it does not factor into their attraction. This is what is meant when pansexuals are referred to as “gender blind”.

Omnisexuals may also feel a difference in attraction between genders. This can manifest in having a preference for certain gender(s). It can also feel that attraction to a certain gender feels different to the attraction to another. (for example: they may feel like the act of being attracted to a woman feels different then being attracted to a man). Omnisexuals may be attracted to entirely different traits for different genders, or may find certain traits more attractive in some genders than in others.

Some people may choose to identify with both terms simultaneously, while others may feel that one describes them more accurately than the other. As such the distinction between pansexual and omnisexual often comes down to personal preference.

Omnisexuality is also often compared to [[Bisexual|bisexuality]]. Some bisexuals are attracted to all genders, however not all bisexuals are.

Some people may identify as both bisexual and omnisexual, while others may prefer one term over the other. The choice to use one identity over the other usually comes down to individual preference. For instance: some may prefer to identify as omnisexual (in addition to or instead of bisexual) if they feel it provides a more accurate representation of their orientation, while others may prefer to use a broader term such as bisexual to describe themselves.

Some fictional characters, such as Jack Harkness from Doctor Who/Torchwood, Elim Garak from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and Kevin Crawford from Paradise P.D. have been canonically confirmed as omnisexual. Omnisexuality is also referenced in the television show Big Mouth.