"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."
Discussions about different sexual orientations, the experiences of queer people regarding sex, and also about sexual pleasures.
Sexual orientation: An individual's attraction to a particular gender identity.
Gender identity: An individual's internal sense of their gender.
Sex assigned at birth: The sex a person is assigned based on physical factors at birth.
Gender expression: The way an individual presents their gender to the outside world through clothing, behavior, and other aspects.
Transgender identity: An individual who identifies as a gender that is different from the sex they were assigned at birth.
Intersex: Individuals born with sex characteristics (chromosomes, genitals, etc.) that do not fit binary male or female categories.
Non-binary identity: Individuals who do not fully identify as male or female and may identify as a combination of both, neither, or something else entirely.
Homophobia: The fear or hatred of individuals who identify as LGBTQ+.
Biphobia: The fear or hatred of individuals who identify as bisexual.
Transphobia: The fear or hatred of individuals who identify as transgender.
Queerphobia: The fear or hatred of individuals who do not fit traditional heterosexual and cisgender norms.
Allies: Individuals who actively support and advocate for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community.
Sex positive: A philosophy that embraces healthy and consensual sexual experiences and relationships.
Consent: The mutual agreement between individuals to engage in sexual activity.
Safe sex: Taking precautions to protect oneself and others against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unwanted pregnancies.
LGBTQ+-friendly healthcare: Healthcare providers who are knowledgeable and respectful of LGBTQ+ concerns and provide safe and inclusive care.
LGBTQ+ history: The events, movements, and people who have advocated for LGBTQ+ rights throughout history.
Homonormativity: The assimilation of LGBTQ+ individuals into mainstream heteronormative culture.
Heteronormativity: A societal belief that heterosexuality is the norm and that all individuals pursue relationships within that norm.
Coming out: The process of revealing one's sexual orientation or gender identity to themselves and others.
Heterosexuality: Sexual attraction and desire towards people of the opposite gender.
Homosexuality: Sexual attraction and desire towards people of the same gender.
Bisexuality: Sexual attraction and desire towards both people of the same and opposite gender.
Pansexuality: Sexual attraction and desire towards people regardless of their gender identity.
Asexuality: A lack of sexual attraction or desire towards others.
Demisexuality: A type of sexuality in which individuals only experience sexual attraction after forming an emotional connection with someone.
Greysexual: A sexuality that falls somewhere in between asexuality and sexuality, where people experience sexual attraction infrequently or don't experience it strongly.
Queer: A term used to describe oneself or others who do not fit within traditional categories of gender or sexuality.
Androgynosexuality: Sexual attraction to people who are androgynous or who have an ambiguous gender identity.
Skoliosexuality: Sexual attraction to genderqueer, non-binary, or trans individuals.
Polysexuality: Sexual attraction and desire towards multiple genders.
"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."