Sexual Orientation
A person’s romantic, emotional, and/or sexual attraction to others. Sexual orientations include, but are not limited to, asexual, bisexual, gay, heterosexual, lesbian, pansexual, and queer.
“In sexual orientation, there is the framework and the flexibility to explore. It’s more open, yes. It’s more general as well. There is latitude and freedom here. Orientation doesn’t indicate anything specific. It’s more fluid. Sex is about others. With attraction, whether there is or isn’t, for something specific or not specific. Also, it’s either completely clear to a person or not at all. I think it all starts when we think about the terminology sex and why it’s used. It gives a lot of answers to that stuff. The fact that we use the term sex to talk about the sexual act has to do with my attraction to your biological characteristics. Sexuality is clearly about attraction. Orientation is something that sticks with us because we identify as gay, lesbian, whatever, or straight. So, let’s quickly say that it’s an ongoing journey of discovery, of exploring boundaries, of self. What we like and what we don’t like. And nothing is taken for granted on this journey.”
(Check also the following terms: Asexual, Bisexual, Gay, Heterosexual, Lesbian, Pansexual, and Queer.)
Resources:
- Sex vs Gender vs Orientation
- Sexual orientation and gender identity
- Sexual Orientation (For Teens) – KidsHealthOrg
- Sexual Orientation (For Parents) – KidsHealthOrg
