"Sexual orientation is an enduring pattern of romantic or sexual attraction (or a combination of these) to persons of the opposite sex or gender, the same sex or gender, or to both sexes or more than one gender."
A multidimensional construct that encompasses different aspects of sexual orientation, attraction, behavior, and identity, including homosexuality, bisexuality, heterosexuality, asexuality, and others.
Gender theory: This topic explores the ways that gender is constructed and performed within society.
Queer theory: Queer theory is an interdisciplinary field of study that looks at the intersection of sex, gender, and sexuality. It is concerned with challenging heteronormative assumptions and structures.
Sex and gender-based discrimination: This topic explores the ways that individuals may be discriminated against based on their sex or gender.
Sexual orientation: This topic examines the different ways in which individuals identify their sexual orientation, such as heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, pansexual, or asexual.
Transgender issues: This topic looks at the experiences of individuals whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth.
Intersectionality: This concept acknowledges that various aspects of an individual's identity (such as race, gender, class, and sexual orientation) intersect with one another, shaping their experiences of privilege and oppression.
Sexual violence: This topic looks at the problem of sexual violence and how it can be prevented and addressed.
Human sexuality: This field of study examines the many different ways in which humans express themselves sexually.
Sexual health: This topic encompasses a wide range of issues related to sexual health and wellbeing, such as contraception, sexual dysfunction, and sexual disorders.
Sexual identity development: This topic looks at the ways in which individuals come to understand and express their sexual identity over time.
Heterosexuality: Attraction to individuals of the opposite gender.
Homosexuality: Attraction to individuals of the same gender.
Bisexuality: Attraction to individuals of both genders.
Pansexuality: Attraction to individuals regardless of gender or sexual orientation.
Asexuality: Lack of sexual attraction to any gender or orientation.
Demisexuality: Attraction to individuals only after a deep emotional bond has been formed.
Graysexuality: Having a weaker sexual attraction than the typical level for one's gender and orientation.
Queer: A broad term used for individuals who do not fit into traditional gender or sexual orientation categories.
Polysexuality: Attraction to individuals of multiple genders, but not all genders.
Skoliosexuality: Attraction to individuals who do not conform to traditional gender roles or have non-binary gender identities.
"Asexuality (the lack of sexual attraction to others) is sometimes identified as the fourth category."
"People may use other labels, such as pansexual or polysexual, or none at all."
"Sexual orientation 'also refers to a person's sense of identity based on those attractions, related behaviors, and membership in a community of others who share those attractions.'"
"Androphilia describes sexual attraction to masculinity; gynephilia describes the sexual attraction to femininity."
"Sexual preference largely overlaps with sexual orientation but is generally distinguished in psychological research. A person who identifies as bisexual, for example, may sexually prefer one sex over the other."
"Scientists theorize that it is caused by a complex interplay of genetic, hormonal, and environmental influences."
"Scientists favor biologically based theories as there is considerably more evidence supporting nonsocial, biological causes of sexual orientation than social ones, especially for males."
"There is no substantive evidence which suggests parenting or early childhood experiences play a role with regard to sexual orientation."
"Across cultures, most people are heterosexual, with a minority of people having a homosexual or bisexual orientation."
"A person's sexual orientation can be anywhere on a continuum, from exclusive attraction to the opposite sex to exclusive attraction to the same sex."
"Sexual orientation is studied primarily within biology, anthropology, and psychology (including sexology)."
"It is also a subject area in sociology, history (including social constructionist perspectives), and law."
"These attractions are generally subsumed under heterosexuality, homosexuality, and bisexuality."
"Sexual preference may suggest a degree of voluntary choice, whereas sexual orientation is not a choice."
"Scientists theorize that it is caused by a complex interplay of genetic, hormonal, and environmental influences."
"There is considerably more evidence supporting nonsocial, biological causes of sexual orientation than social ones, especially for males."
"There is no substantive evidence which suggests parenting or early childhood experiences play a role with regard to sexual orientation."
"Asexuality (the lack of sexual attraction to others) is sometimes identified as the fourth category."
"A person's sexual orientation can be anywhere on a continuum, from exclusive attraction to the opposite sex to exclusive attraction to the same sex."