Omnisexual

Omnisexual is a sexual orientation describing attraction to people of all genders. In practice, an omnisexual person may be attracted to women, men, transgender and nonbinary people, and other gender identities; the degree of attraction can vary by individual and by gender. The key emphasis is that gender is one aspect among others that can influence attraction.

Omnisexual is often contrasted with pansexual (attraction irrespective of gender) and with bisexual (attraction to two or more genders; inclusive). There is overlap among terms, and some people identify as omnisexual as an alternative to pansexual or bisexual. Some describe omnisexual as attraction to all genders with that gender often informing their attraction rather than negating it.

Etymology and usage: The term combines omni- (all) with -sexual. It appeared in LGBT discourse in the late 20th century and has seen varying usage through the 1990s and 2000s. It is not a medical diagnosis and is used primarily as a personal label.

Context and nuance: In discussions of sexual orientation, omnisexuality is used to reflect how gender can be a meaningful factor in attraction for some people, while still including a broad range of potential partners across gender identities, including nonbinary and gender-nonconforming individuals. As with other sexual orientation labels, individual experiences and definitions may vary.

See also: pansexual, bisexual, polysexual.