Pluralian

The simplified pluralian flag by BlueSkinnyJeans/Spica Naos.

**Pluralian**, also known as **plurisexual**, **non-monosexual**, **multisexual**, or **m-spec**, is an umbrella term for all identities which involve attraction to multiple genders, regardless of one's own gender identity. This umbrella includes identities such as bisexual, pansexual, omnisexual, polysexual, curious, and flexible, among others. Some people may identify as pluralian (or with another umbrella term) without specifying further, while others may identify additionally with (or instead with) more specific terms under the umbrella.

Pluralian can also be used to describe attraction experienced by pluralians/m-spec people, regardless of gender, without needing to use words such as "gay" or "straight" to describe this attraction. Many pluralians/m-spec individuals feel that their attraction is never straight, even when they're attracted to someone of a different gender, and is also never gay, even when they are attracted to the same gender, due to identifying as neither straight nor gay. As such, a pluralian/m-spec person may prefer to say "my love for them is pluralian," or something similar.

## Etymology

"Pluralian" is derived from "plural," meaning "more than one," and the suffix *-ian*, meaning "relating to."

"Plurisexual" is derived from the prefix *pluri-*, meaning "more" or "many," and "sexual," denoting sexuality or attraction.

"Non-monosexual" is derived from the prefix *non-*, meaning "not," the prefix *mono-* meaning "one," and "sexual," denoting sexuality or attraction.

"Multisexual" is derived from the prefix *multi-*, meaning "many," and "sexual," denoting sexuality or attraction.

## History

The word "multisexual" was first recorded in the early 1900s, albeit with a different definition. This word originally referred to things which were composed of, or related to, multiple sexes, genders, or sexual orientations. For example, a society which is sexually diverse could be described as multisexual. A creature or being which has multiple sexes could also be described as multisexual, similar to one of the definitions for the word "bisexual." This definition is still applicable in some contexts. It is unclear when multisexuality began to refer specifically to attraction towards multiple genders. However, this use of the term can be traced back to at least the early 2000s, if not earlier.

The word "plurisexual" has been in use since at least 1979, if not earlier, as an umbrella term for sexual attraction or activity directed towards more than one gender.

The word "pluralian" was coined on October 6, 2016, on the Pluralian Positivity Tumblr blog, with the following definition(s):

> One who is attracted to more than one gender; an umbrella term for being attracted to more than one gender, regardless of one’s gender identity (similar to “sapphic,” “achillean,” and “enbian”)[...] One who prioritizes, or is proud of, all of the genders to whom they are attracted equally; one who celebrates their multiple attraction (similar to certain usages of “sapphic,” “achillean,” and “enbian”)[...] The community of people who are attracted to more than one gender; the “mspec” community[...] A descriptor of the attraction someone who is attracted to multiple genders feels towards anyone of any gender; similar to “gay,” “straight,” or “diamoric”
>
> - Pluralian Positivity, Pluralian

The term was coined due to a lack of "decent, nonproblematic language" to describe the experiences of people who are attracted to more than one gender:

* Using the "bi-umbrella" or "bisexual" can lump people into a label that they may not identify with, and it implies that pan, poly, etc. individuals are "just bi" (a phrase commonly used to invalidate such identities).
* Words such as "multisexual" and "multiromantic" can feel non-inclusive to people whose identity doesn't fall into a sexual or romantic suffix.
* "Multiple-gender attracted" or "MGA" stems from "same-gender attracted" or "SGA", which is a conversion therapy term.
* "Queer" is a broad term, but also has history as a slur, has not been reclaimed by everyone, and does not refer specifically to pluralian orientations.
* Terms such as "sapphic," "achillean," and "enbian" also lack focus on pluralian experiences, and instead center more heavily around attraction towards one's own gender.

Additionally, many pluralian individuals find themselves having to describe their attractions and relationships as "gay" or "straight," with no alternative neutral term. This can pose trouble for pluralians who do not perceive their attractions/relationships as gay or straight, due to a lack of identification with either term. In the same vein as the coining of "diamoric" for nonbinary experiences of attraction and relationships, pluralian was coined for non-mono(sexual/romantic/etc.) experiences of attraction and relationships.

This word was created to fill different lexical gaps within the LGBTQIA+ community, as well as create more linguistic representation for pluralians. However, it is not intended to replace any existing terminology. Rather, it is intended to exist alongside it, as an alternative for anyone who wants it, needs it, or otherwise feels uncomfortable with other existing terminology.

## Under the umbrella

This section covers examples of pluralian identities. There are many identities under the pluralian umbrella, and this is not a complete list. Everything is sorted in alphabetical order.

### Abrosexual

***Main article:** Abrosexual/Abroromantic*

Abrosexual is a sexual orientation which is experienced fluidly. In other words, abrosexual people experience attraction which changes over time. Abrosexuality is not inherently a pluralian identity, but may sometimes fall under this umbrella.

### Ambisexual

***Main article:** Ambisexual/Ambiromantic*

Ambisexual is an orientation in which one is attracted to both men and women, experiences fluid attraction, and/or has an ambivalent or ambiguous orientation. Alternatively, the term can refer to androgynous individuals. It is also sometimes used as a synonym for bisexuality.

### Bisexual

***Main article:** Bisexual/Biromantic*

Bisexual, often shortened to bi, is an orientation in which one is attracted to two or more genders. It can also be defined as attraction to genders both like and unlike one's own. Bisexual people may be attracted to only two genders, several genders, all genders, or regardless of gender, depending on the person. Some bisexual people also experience fluid or fluctuating attraction, often referred to as a bi-cycle. Bisexual is sometimes used as an umbrella term in the same vein that pluralian is, and is sometimes referred to as bi+ or the bi-umbrella within this context.

### Flexible

***Main article:** Flexible*

Flexible is a term for orientations which primarily center around specific genders, but have some room for exceptions and/or fluidity. In other words, a flexible individual has a predominant orientation, but does not strictly follow it. Alternatively, this can be defined as experiencing attraction primarily towards specific genders, and very rarely towards others. It can also be defined as being open to encounters and relationships outside of one's typical orientation. This is often used as a suffix, such as in homoflexible and heteroflexible, but may be used as a term on its own.

### Omnisexual

***Main article:** Omnisexual/Omniromantic*

Omnisexual, often shortened to omni, is an orientation in which one experiences attraction to all genders, typically with gender playing a role in one's attraction, rather than lacking preferences or gender differentiation. Omnisexual people often have gender preferences, are attracted to different genders in different ways, or otherwise experience attraction which is impacted by the person's gender. It is also sometimes a synonym for pansexuality, referring only to one's attraction to all genders, though a distinction regarding preferences is often made.

### Pansexual

***Main article:** Pansexual/Panromantic*

Pansexual, often shortened to pan, is an orientation in which one experiences attraction to all genders, typically regardless of gender. Pansexual people often have few or no gender preferences, do not differentiate between the genders that they are attracted to, and are not impacted by gender when it comes to the attraction they experience. It is also sometimes a synonym for omnisexuality, referring only to one's attraction to all genders, though a distinction regarding preferences is often made.

### Polysexual

***Main article:** Polysexual/Polyromantic*

Polysexual, also known as polisexual or plysexual, is an orientation in which one is attracted to multiple genders, but not necessarily all genders. Not to be confused with polyamory.

### Trisexual

***Main article:** Trisexual/Triromantic*

Trisexual is an orientation in which one is attracted to exactly three genders. Alternatively, it can refer to a person who fluctuates between being bisexual, polysexual, and pansexual. Not to be confused with trysexual.

## Flag

One of the first multisexual flags was posted to DeviantArt by Pride-Flags on Oct 9, 2015. Its creator and symbolism is unknown, but it bares resemblance to the bisexual, pansexual, and polysexual flags. The purple stripe is taken from the bisexual flag, the pink and yellow stripes are nearly identical to that of the pansexual flag, and the green and blue stripes are identical to that of the polysexual flag. The stripes have a 3:1:1:1:3 ratio. The pink and blue stripes are likely emphasized due to their presence in flags for several pluralian identities, whereas purple, yellow, and green are more specific.

The pluralian flag was created and posted to the Pluralian Positivity Tumblr blog on an unknown date, but prior to July 7, 2018. The purple stripes represent neutrality, or a combination of attraction towards multiple genders. This is due to pink and blue typically symbolizing men and women, respectively, and purple being the combination of the two. The white stripe further symbolizes this neutrality, and indicates a lack of definitive preference or prioritization involving any specific gender. A lily is included in the center, due to it being a "true bisexual flower": it is able to reproduce with all other flowers of its species. The yellow petals additionally represents the inclusion of nonbinary people. A simplified version of the flag was created by Spica Naos on July 7, 2018.

The official multisexual flag was created by synp, and declared "official" on February 13, 2019. Purple represents peace, white represents unity, blue represents freedom, and pink represents love and compassion.

The m-spec flag was designed by Mod AP of Beyond MOGAI Pride Flags on February 14, 2019. Ae took inspiration from the bisexual, polysexual, pansexual, omnisexual, trisexual, quadsexual, and quintsexual flags. The orange represents any other identity, as well as those who only identify as multi(sexual/romantic/etc.) without specifying further.

## Gallery

The simplified pluralian flag by Spica Naos.A multiromantic flag.A multiromantic flag.A romance-oriented version of the m-spec flag.
## Notes

1. ↑ M-spec may also refer to the man/masculine spectrum or multigender spectrum, depending on the context.
2. ↑ This is the name of the flag, and is not necessarily indicative of which flag is the "correct" one to use.
3. ↑ Mod AP uses ae/aer/emself pronouns.

## References

1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 Pluralian Positivity (2016-10-06). Pluralian. tumblr.
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Pluralian Positivity. Definitions. tumblr.
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 E. Goldberg, Abbie; H. Manley, Melissa; Ellawala, Themal; E. Ross, Lori. *Sexuality and sexual identity across the first year of parenthood among male-partnered plurisexual women*. 6, Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity, 2019-03. ISSN 2329-0390. "Plurisexual is an umbrella term that encompasses individuals who experience attractions to people of multiple genders, and who may self-identify as queer, pansexual, fluid, bisexual, or something else"
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Allison E. Cipriano; Daniel Nguyen; Kathryn J. Holland. *"Bisexuality Isn't Exclusionary": A Qualitative Examination of Bisexual Definitions and Gender Inclusivity Concerns among Plurisexual Women*. 4, Journal of Bisexuality, 2022-10-02. ISSN 1529-9716.
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Plurisexual Identities. Bi+ Research.
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Bisexuality and Nonmonosexuality. UC Regents.
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Clanton, Gordon. "“A conversation with Albert Ellis". *Alternative Lifestyles*. 2, 2, 1979. "Many straights could not consider gay activity, and many gays couldn't possibly consider straight. So they are compulsive. They arbitrarily rule out even experimentation that would lead to plurisexuality."
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Identity Vocabulary: Multisexual Edition. The Center for Sexuality and Gender Diversity (2019-07-06).
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Nonmonosexuality 101. University of North Florida LGBT Resource Center (2014).
10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Williams, Isabel (2014-08-06). An Introduction to Bisexual and Non-Monosexual Identities and Resource Guide. College of Charleston.
11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Beauchemin, Faith. *How Queer! Personal narratives from bisexual, pansexual, polysexual, sexually-fluid, and other non-monosexual perspectives.*. On Our Own Authority!, 2016-01-12. ISBN 9780990641827.
12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 LGBTQ Terminology. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. “Multisexual Attraction Spectrum/M-Spec/Non-monosexual - An umbrella term for identities that include sexual attraction to two or more sexes, genders, gender expressions, or combinations thereof.”
13. ↑ 13.00 13.01 13.02 13.03 13.04 13.05 13.06 13.07 13.08 13.09 13.10 13.11 13.12 Hardell, Ash. *The ABC's of LGBT+*. Mango Media Inc., 2016. ISBN 9781633534087.
14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Sotska, Julia (2022-01-19). Multisexual - What is it? What does it mean?. Taimi.
15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Multisexual Youth Mental Health: Risk and Protective Factors for Bisexual, Pansexual, and Queer Youth Who are Attracted to More than One Gender. The Trevor Project (2021-04-23).
16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Multisexual Definition & Meaning. Dictionary.com.
17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 wetwareproblem (2016-04-28). Sorry sorry but what does "m-spec" mean?. tumblr.
18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 What does "m-spec" mean?. Bi Pan Library.
19. ↑ Plural Definition & Meaning. Merriam-Webster.
20. ↑ -ian Definition & Meaning. Merriam-Webster.
21. ↑ pluri-, plur-, plu-. English-Word Information.
22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 Sexual Definition & Meaning. Merriam-Webster.
23. ↑ Non- Definition & Meaning. Merriam-Webster.
24. ↑ Word Root: mono- (Prefix). membean.
25. ↑ Word Root: multi- (Prefix). membean.
26. ↑ Bisexual Definition & Meaning. Dictionary.com. Archived from the original on October 14, 2022.
27. ↑ Ndegeocello, Meshell (2001-01-31). Untitled. PictureQuotes. “It's hard being bisexual, omnisexual, multisexual, whatever you want to call it, when people have their agenda and expect you to just represent their agenda.”
28. ↑ Full Dictionary. Western Aces.
29. ↑ LGBTQ+ 101 – What does abrosexual mean?. Gay Times (2021-06-21).
30. ↑ Ambisexual Definition & Meaning. Merriam-Webster.
31. ↑ Ambisexual - definition of ambisexual. The Free Dictionary.
32. ↑ Jackman, Josh (2018-04-03). The Oxford English Dictionary now includes ambisexual, asexual, bi-gender and trans\*. PinkNews.
33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 33.2 33.3 33.4 33.5 33.6 33.7 33.8 PFLAG National Glossary of Terms. PFLAG. Archived from the original on October 14, 2022.
34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 34.2 What is Bisexuality?. bi.org (2022). Archived from the original on October 14, 2022.
35. ↑ Understanding Bisexuality. American Psychological Association (November 2017). Archived from the original on October 11, 2022.
36. ↑ Bisexual Definition & Meaning. Dictionary.com. Archived from the original on October 14, 2022.
37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 37.2 37.3 37.4 37.5 What is Bisexuality?. bisexual resource center (2021). Archived from the original on October 14, 2022.
38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 38.2 38.3 38.4 WebMD Editorial Contributors (2021-06-28). What Is Bisexual?. WebMD. Archived from the original on October 14, 2022.
39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 39.2 Terms & Definitions. Amherst College. Archived from the original on September 15, 2022.
40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 40.2 'LGBTI' People and Communities. LGBTIQ+ Health Australia (2019-06-28). Archived from the original on April 20, 2021.
41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 Full Dictionary. Western Aces.
42. ↑ Bisexual Definition & Meaning. Merriam-Webster. Archived from the original on October 14, 2022.
43. ↑ List of LGBTQ+ terms. Stonewall. Archived from the original on November 17, 2021.
44. ↑ 44.0 44.1 WebMD Editorial Contributors (2021-06-28). What Does Homoflexible (or Heteroflexible) Mean?. WebMD.
45. ↑ 45.0 45.1 'Homoflexible'/'Heteroflexible': Sexuality Spectrum. Merriam-Webster.
46. ↑ 46.0 46.1 Orientation and Gender Expression: Heteroflexible. OkCupid.
47. ↑ 47.0 47.1 Orientation and Gender Expressions: Homoflexible. OkCupid.
48. ↑ Sotska, Julia (2022-12-19). Polysexual - What is it? What does it mean?. Taimi.
49. ↑ What is polysexuality?. Feeld (2020-01-03).
50. ↑ Pride-Color-Schemes (2016-07-08). Tri-. Tumblr.
51. ↑ Pride-Flags (2015-10-09). Multi- (4). DeviantArt.
52. ↑ Naos, Spica (2018-07-07). Pluralian Flag.svg. Wikimedia Commons.
53. ↑ kinkflagsrus (2019-02-13). Multisexual Official Pride Flag. DeviantArt.
54. ↑ Mod AP (ae/aer) (2019-02-14). Mspec Pride Flag. Tumblr.