sexual orientation
Definition
Sexual orientation is an enduring pattern of emotional, romantic, or sexual attractions to men, women, both sexes, neither sex, or another sex. It also includes a person's sense of identity based on those attractions, related behaviors, and membership in a community of others who share those attractions.
Analogy
Just as a compass points towards a specific direction based on the Earth's magnetic field, sexual orientation guides whom an individual is drawn to in terms of emotional, romantic, or sexual attraction.
Related terms
Gender Identity: The personal sense of one's own gender, which may or may not correspond with their birth sex.
Gender Expression: The external manifestation of one's gender identity through physical appearance, clothing, hairstyle, voice pitch, and behavior.
LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning): A community and umbrella term for individuals who do not identify as heterosexual and/or cisgender
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