Sexual orientation is about our physical, emotional and/or romantic attractions to others. Like gender identity, sexual orientation is internally held knowledge. People might identify as bisexual, pansexual, queer, asexual or use a host of other words that reflect their capacity to be attracted to more than one sex or gender or not to feel sexual attraction at all. This emerging language illuminates a complex world in which simple either/or designations such as gay or straight are insufficient.

​

It is generally agreed that sexual orientation exists along a continuum, ranging from exclusive heterosexuality on one end to exclusive homosexuality on the opposite end, with varying degrees of bisexuality between these two points. The three sexual orientations are: homosexual, bisexual and heterosexual (straight). The homosexual orientation has two identities, that of gay man or lesbian woman. A gay man is a man who has romantic, sexual and intimate feelings for (or a love relationship with) another man (or men) and identifies with being gay. A lesbian woman (some do not like the word, so prefer to be called gay women) is a woman who has romantic, sexual and intimate feelings for (or a love relationship with) another woman (or women) and identifies with being lesbian (or gay woman). A bisexual is an individual who has romantic, sexual, intimate feelings for (or a love relationship with) someone of the same sex and/or with someone of the opposite sex.

​

The overlap of gender identity and sexual orientation can be confusing for individuals trying to make sense of their own identities as well as for those who are clear about their identities. It can also be complicated for anyone seeking to support them.

​

​