"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 person’s emotional, romantic, and sexual attraction to individuals of a particular gender or genders. This topic examines the different sexual orientations, including heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, pansexual, asexual, etc.
History of LGBTQ+ Rights: A study of the evolution of LGBTQ+ rights, including the Stonewall Riots, the AIDS epidemic, and the fight for marriage equality.
Gender Theory: An examination of gender as a social construct, exploring the difference between sex and gender and the ways in which our understanding of gender affects our understanding of sexuality.
Heteronormativity: An analysis of the cultural assumption of heterosexuality as the norm and how it impacts queer individuals.
Intersectionality: A look at the ways in which identity markers such as race, class, and ability intersect with sexuality and impact experiences of discrimination and oppression.
Queer Theory: An examination of the various ways in which queer individuals and communities challenge and subvert dominant cultural narratives and norms.
Coming Out: A study of the process of coming out as queer, including the emotional, social, and political implications of this often difficult journey.
Marriage Equality: An analysis of the impact of marriage equality on the LGBTQ+ community and the ongoing debate surrounding the institution of marriage.
LGBTQ+ Subcultures: An exploration of the myriad ways in which queer individuals and communities create their own subcultures, from ballroom culture to leather culture to drag performance.
LGBTQ+ Health: A study of the unique health disparities faced by LGBTQ+ individuals, including mental health, HIV/AIDS, and access to healthcare.
LGBTQ+ Media: An analysis of the representation of LGBTQ+ individuals and communities in the media, including film, television, and advertising.
LGBTQ+ Family: An exploration of the diverse forms of family structures that queer individuals and communities create, including chosen families, co-parenting, and adoption.
LGBTQ+ Activism: A study of the history and tactics of LGBTQ+ activism, including protests, lobbying, and direct action.
LGBTQ+ Spirituality: A look at the intersections of queerness and religious or spiritual belief, including the controversy surrounding LGBTQ+ inclusion in organized religion.
LGBTQ+ Youth: An examination of the experience of LGBTQ+ youth, including rates of homelessness, bullying, and access to supportive resources.
Sexual Expression: A study of the diverse ways in which queer individuals express their sexuality, from kink and BDSM to polyamory and non-monogamy.
Heterosexual: Attracted to people of the opposite gender.
Homosexual: Attracted to people of the same gender.
Bisexual: Attracted to individuals of both genders.
Pansexual: Attracted to people regardless of their gender or sexual identity.
Asexual: A lack of sexual attraction or interest in sexual behaviors.
Greysexual: Experiences sexual attraction infrequently or with low intensity.
Demisexual: Only experiencing sexual attraction with close emotional connections.
Queer: Umbrella term for people who do not identify as heterosexual or are not exclusively attracted to people of the opposite gender.
Two-Spirit: A Native American term that describes individuals who possess both masculine and feminine qualities.
Polysexual: Attracted to multiple genders, but not all.
Skoliosexual: Attracted to individuals with non-binary gender identities.
Androgynosexual: Attracted to individuals who present androgynously.
"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."