Excuse me, I know I do not really have much of a part in this discourse, as I do not use either of the labels under scrutinty.
However, I just got done screaming with my best friend, who is bi, about people saying that being pan is biphobic when it's not, so I decided to make this lovely post, as I am seething with anger at the injustice of it all, and feel the need to scream into the void about my beliefs just like everyone else on this site.
Goodness gracious I'm salty tonight.
People understand labels differently.
Yes, pan and bi are two completely different labels. I understand that.
However, a label is not only for others, it is for the person using it. And thus, as labels serve a function for the person using them, we have to understand that sometimes we as individuals prescribe different meanings to labels than the wider community does.
People identifying as pan is not bi erasure. People identify as pan because that feels right to them.
People identify as bi because that feels right to them.
And who are we to turn around and say that their label is somehow wrong, or somehow invalidates another label simply by a person feeling like their label encompasses that aspect of their identity?
I get it, some people hate labels, or specifically microlables.
However, something that must be understood is that labels are a means of understanding and feeling in control of one's own identity for some people.
It is the least we can do to be consciencious of those around us and be respectful of the labels they feel encompass their identity.
There is a difference between identifying as pan and saying a bi individual is simply a confused pan.
Being pan and biphobic is not mutually exclusive.
Pansexuality, as a label, is not inherently biphobic.
Don't be invalidating other people's labels when you know nothing about the person.
Do you know what happens when I tell people my labels and explain what they mean?
"You feel that way now, but you'll find someone eventually!"
Having your labels be completely disregarded and invalidated hurts.
So try and and be respectful of your fellow humans.
If you got to the end of this post, thank you for indulging my ramblings, and have a wonderful continuation of your existsnce.