Plurisexuality, also multisexuality, is an umbrella term describing different orientations and attractions to people of multiple genders and/or sexes. The terms plurisexual and multisexual are preferred over “non-monosexual” as being more inclusive and do not imply or reinforce monosexual normativity. Plurisexual individuals may identify as bisexual, pansexual, queer, or use other identity labels (Galupo et al., 2015). As such, “plurisexual” is often used as a broad, conceptual term that includes people with similar patterns of attraction, even if they identify differently (Callis, 2014; Galupo et al., 2014; Rust, 2000).
Framing & Perspectives
Sexuality measures developed years ago (e.g., the Kinsey scale) examined sexual orientation as a single continuum, with heterosexuality on one end and homosexuality at the other. Individuals who fell in between were considered bisexual and treated as a single, homogeneous group by earlier researchers (Galupo et al., 2014). However, the notion of bisexuality is too specific to describe and study everyone who is not attracted to a single gender. More contemporary approaches have introduced the “M-spectrum” —the multi-gender attraction spectrum— encompassing all identities attracted to multiple genders and falling under the plurisexual umbrella (Rios, 2024). Unlike those with monosexual identities, plurisexual individuals are more likely to use multiple labels or offer additional explanations. However, sexual identities beyond monosexual categories are often narrowly defined. Bisexuality, for example, is typically conceptualized as a vague middle ground between heterosexuality and homosexuality. Instead of getting the recognition bisexuality deserves as a unique and legitimate sexual orientation, it is sometimes handled as “confusion”, “indecisiveness”, “greed” or “just a phase”, giving space to derogatory terms such as “lesbian until graduation” to evolve. Research shows that bisexuality is rarely distinguished from other plurisexual identities such as pansexual, fluid, and queer (Callis, 2014; Galupo et al., 2014; Gray & Demarais, 2014; Gonel, 2013; Galupo et al., 2015; Wadsworth & Hayes-Skelton, 2015). Plurisexual individuals often adopt several labels at once to describe their orientation (Galupo, 2017; Gonel, 2013; McNamee, 2023; Goldberg et al. 2019). For instance, someone attracted to multiple genders but with a preference for one might call themselves bisexual, while another who experiences attraction regardless of gender might identify as pansexual. People who reject rigid categories may prefer queer, and those whose attractions change over time might use a fluid label. In some situations, people switch labels out of exhaustion and simply choose the one that feels the easiest (Galupo, 2018).
Relevance
Umbrella terms like queer and plurisexual make self-identifying easier, especially when someone’s attractions do not fit neatly into a single label. While more specific labels provide visibility and a stronger sense of belonging within particular communities, broader terms can help avoid the burden of additional explanations and educating others about one’s identity (Galupo et al., 2015). Plurisexual identities are often adjusted or chosen based on context, acceptance, or the need for clarity, as no single term fully captures every person’s experiences.
Keywords: Sexuality, Gender, Sex, Multisexuality, Umbrella Term
Connected terms: Bisexual, Pansexual, Acronym “LGBTQIAPN+”, Asexual, Demisexual, Cisgender, Transgender
References
Callis, A. S. (2014). Bisexual, pansexual, queer: Non-binary identities and the sexual borderlands. Sexualities, 17(1-2), 63-80. https://doi.org/10.1177/1363460713511094
Galupo, M. P., Davis, K. S., Grynkiewicz, A. L., & Mitchell, R. C. (2014). Conceptualization of sexual orientation identity among sexual minorities: Patterns across sexual and gender identity. Journal of Bisexuality, 14(3-4), 433-456. https://doi.org/10.1080/15299716.2014.933466
Galupo, M. P., Mitchell, R. C., & Davis, K. S. (2015). Sexual minority self-identification: Multiple identities and complexity. Psychology of sexual orientation and gender diversity, 2(4), 355. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/sgd0000131
Galupo, M. P., Ramirez, J. L., & Pulice-Farrow, L. (2017). “Regardless of their gender”: Descriptions of sexual identity among bisexual, pansexual, and queer identified individuals. Journal of Bisexuality, 17(1), 108–124. https://doi.org/10.1080/15299716.2016.1228491
Galupo, M. P. (2018). 4 Plurisexual identity labels and the marking of bisexual desire. Bisexuality: Theories, research, and recommendations for the invisible sexuality, 61-75. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-71535-3_4
Goldberg, S. K., Rothblum, E. D., Russell, S. T., & Meyer, I. H. (2020). Exploring the Q in LGBTQ: Demographic characteristic and sexuality of Queer people in a US representative sample of sexual minorities. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity, 7(1), 101. https://dx.doi.org/10.1037/sgd0000359
Gonel, A. H. (2013). Pansexual identification in online communities: Employing a collaborative queer method to study pansexuality. Graduate Journal of Social Science, 10(1), 36–59.
Gray, A., & Demarais, S. (2014). Not all one and the same: Sexual identity, activism, and collective self-esteem. Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 23, 116–122. http://dx.doi.org/10.3138/cjhs.2400
McNamee, C. M. (2023). Conceptualizations of identities in bisexual, pansexual, and plurisexual communities (Order No. 30247363). [Master’s dissertation, University of Toronto]. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses. https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/conceptualizations-identities-bisexual-pansexual/docview/2786353429/se-2
Rios Rivera, J. N. (2024). Embracing Plurisexuality: Factors Influencing Self-Identification. [Master’s thesis, University at Albany, State University of New York]. Scholarsarchive. https://scholarsarchive.library.albany.edu/wgss-masters-finalprojects/6
Rust, P. C. (2000). Two many and not enough: The meanings of bisexual identities. Journal of Bisexuality, 1(1), 31-68. https://doi.org/10.1300/J159v01n01_04
Wadsworth, L. P., & Hayes-Skelton, S. A. (2015). Differences among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and heterosexual individuals and those who reported an other identity on an open-ended response on levels of social anxiety. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity, 2, 181–187. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/sgd0000092
