Sexual Orientation

Sexual orientation refers to an individual's enduring pattern of emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attractions to men, women, both genders, multiple genders, or no genders. It's an inherent aspect of a person's identity and is generally considered to be on a spectrum rather than strictly defined categories.

Sexual orientation is distinct from gender identity or gender expression. It encompasses various identities including, but not limited to, heterosexuality (attraction to the opposite gender), homosexuality (attraction to the same gender), bisexuality (attraction to two or more genders), pansexuality (attraction regardless of gender), and asexuality (little or no sexual attraction to any gender).

Additional Information

Sexual orientation is believed to be influenced by a complex interplay of genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors. It's not a choice and cannot be changed through external interventions. The recognition and acceptance of diverse sexual orientations have been crucial in advancing LGBTQ+ rights and fostering inclusive societies.

It's important to note that sexual orientation can be fluid for some individuals, meaning it may change over time. Additionally, romantic and sexual attractions don't always align, leading to terms like "aromantic" or "biromantic homosexual."