Before I explain different sexualities, let us understand what sexuality is. Sexuality is who you identify yourself as based upon your interests in romantic and/or sexual attractions and your preferences for romantic and/or sexual relationships.
Sexual orientation is similar to sexuality. Remember, sexuality is fluid; whom you are sexually or romantically attracted to at the moment does not define your sexuality.
People may understand who they are attracted to, both sexually and romantically, at an early age. But for some, this process may come to fruition over the years. However, people may experience more than one sexualities at different points in their lives.
As a woman, you may be dating men and having sexual relations with them, but you may feel romantical and/or sexually attracted to a woman as well.
This article will touch upon different types of sexualities/ sexual orientations. However, it may be noted that even if there are terms for your sexual or romantic attraction, sexuality or sexual orientation doesn’t always come under such definable categories.
Sexuality is who are you are sexually or romantically attracted to. Gender identity is who you identify yourself as to the world.
Gender identity describes one belonging to the male/ female/ transgender category. A person’s self-concept of gender, irrespective of their assigned biological sex at birth, is their gender identity.
Gender identity is who they prefer to be called- man/ woman/ non-binary/ transgender. Gender identity is beyond ‘he’ or ‘she.’ Let’s not confuse an individual’s gender identity with sexuality.
Sexuality or sexual orientation is whom they like. For example, a person identifying themselves as male is not necessarily sexually, romantically, or emotionally attracted to females. That male could be attracted to anyone.
Asexuality is the sexual orientation wherein the individuals do not experience sexual attraction to any person regardless of gender.
However, asexual individuals may deeply feel romantically and emotionally attracted to a person of any gender.
Bisexuality is the sexual orientation wherein a person experiences sexual, romantic, and/or emotional attraction towards more than one gender.
Commonly referred to as ‘bi’, a bisexual individual feels sexual, romantic, and emotional attraction towards the same/similar gender and/or opposite gender.
A cupiosexual individual refers to an asexual person who does not experience sexual attraction but desires to engage in sexual activity.
Demisexuality refers to the sexuality of the people who experience sexual attraction towards a person after experiencing romantic and/or emotional interest.
Gay is referred to as the individuals who experience sexual, romantic, and emotional attraction toward a person of the same/similar gender as they are.
Some women experiencing sexual and romantic attraction towards women commonly refer to themselves as gay, whereas others prefer lesbian or queer.
In the medical and psychological fields, the term Homosexual refers to a gay individual. However, ‘homosexual’ has begun to be old-fashioned and offensive.
Heterosexual individual experiences sexual, romantic, and/or emotional attraction toward a person of the opposite sex. For instance, male vs female, man vs woman.
Transgender individuals can be heterosexual. The individuals identifying as heterosexual are commonly described as ‘straight’.
The term ‘homosexual,’ viewed as outdated and offensive, is commonly used in medicine and psychology. The term refers to the individuals who experience sexual, romantic, and emotional attraction towards a person of the same or similar sex.
A woman experiencing sexual, romantic, and emotional attraction towards a same-sex person is a lesbian.
Some women may like to refer to themselves as gay/queer.
Omnisexual individuals’ sexual and/or romantic attraction is not limited to a person of one gender or sexual orientation.
They may experience sexual, romantic, and emotional attraction towards the same/similar sex or the opposite sex. Omnisexual is similar to pansexual.
Pansexual individuals can experience attraction (sexual or/and romantic/ towards a person of any gender, sex, and sexual orientation.
The term Queer in the acronym LGBTQIA+ is an umbrella term for all those individuals who are exclusively not heterosexuals.
People who identify themselves as queer do not methodically fit into bisexual, gay, lesbian, or transgender.
This term was looked down upon and frowned upon, hinting at its derogatory meaning. But with time, it has resurfaced as a socially acceptable term.
However, some people still don’t like to identify themselves as queer despite the extensive use of the term. Therefore, ‘queer’ should be used respectfully, considering the sensitivity of the term.
Individuals identifying themselves as sapiosexuals are attracted to the other person’s intelligence. Gender, sexual orientation, and sex are no concern for sapiosexual individuals.
Although we have understood the meanings of different sexualities here, identifying individuals worldwide with a particular sexual orientation can be complex. In other and familiar words, the process of coming out of the closet is/may be an emotional drive for them.
All these labels may be overwhelming, and it’s okay to feel so. However, knowing these terms may encourage you to learn more about yourself and seek guidance per se. The importance of this knowledge lies in how you understand and identify yourself. This way, you can further reach out to the community while you are on the path of self-discovery and sexual exploration.
