Orientations

Sexual orientation

Alsoorientationsexualitysexual preferencesexual identityorientations

Definition

A lasting pattern of sexual attraction, or lack of it, towards people of particular genders. It is part of who someone is, not a choice of behaviour.

At a glance

  • Describes attraction, which is separate from behaviour or relationship history.
  • People can know their orientation before or without any sexual experience.
  • Health and psychology bodies treat the variety of orientations as a normal part of human diversity.
  • Attempts to change someone's orientation are considered ineffective and harmful.
  • Labels are chosen by the person, and some people's labels change over time.

In detail

Sexual orientation describes who, if anyone, a person tends to feel sexual attraction towards. Common labels include heterosexual, gay, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual and asexual, but many people use other words or none at all. Orientation is usually understood as separate from behaviour: someone can know their orientation before or without any sexual experience.

Major health and psychology bodies agree that the range of orientations is a normal part of human diversity, and that attempts to change someone's orientation are ineffective and harmful. Labels are self-chosen, and for some people they shift over time as they learn more about themselves.

In a sentence

  • The survey asked about sexual orientation, with an option to self-describe or skip the question.
  • She said her sexual orientation was something she understood long before she ever dated anyone.

Not to be confused with

  • Gender identity

    Gender identity is about who you are; orientation is about who you are attracted to.

Common questions

Is sexual orientation a choice?

No. Orientation describes who someone tends to be attracted to, which is not something people pick. People do choose which label, if any, they use, and whether and how they act on their attraction.

What is the difference between sexual orientation and gender identity?

Sexual orientation is about who you are attracted to. Gender identity is about your own inner sense of being a man, a woman, both, neither or something else. Everyone has both, and one does not predict the other.

Related terms