All Types of Sexualities Explained

Human sexualities are a personal part of identity that exists on a broad spectrum.

For many years, people only heterosexuality acknowledged and discussed openly, marginalizing those with other experiences.

As our society has made progress in embracing diversity, greater awareness has grown around the complexities of sexuality.

While popular media and conversations often focus only on sexual orientation labels like gay and straight.

In this article, we will discuss a fuller picture of the diversity of sexuality.

All Types of Sexual Sexualities

Sexual orientations are based on the gender or s3x of who one is attracted to. There are also identities centered around aspects like intimacy and relationships.

Here are the types of sexualities:

1. Heterosexuality

Heterosexuality refers to attraction primarily to people of the opposite s3x or gender.

By far the most common orientation, heterosexuality involves attraction to men for women, and women for men.

Some key things to know about heterosexuality:

People often assume Heterosexuality to be the “default” orientation but in reality, people experience a wide spectrum of attractions.
Like all orientations, heterosexuality exists on a continuum and someone may experience occasional same-sex attractions while still identifying as heterosexual.
Heterosexuality should be respected as a valid orientation just as other orientations deserve respect and understanding.

2. Homosexuality

Homosexuality involves attraction primarily or exclusively to people of one’s s3x or gender. The two main types are:

I. Gay

Gay refers to attraction to the same sex in men. A gay man experiences romance and s3xual attraction primarily to other men.

II. Lesbian

Lesbian indicates an attraction to the same s3x in women. A lesbian woman is romantically and s3xually attracted primarily to other women.

Some points about homosexuality:

Homosexuality is a natural occurrence found in many species in nature and is not a choice or abnormality.
Prejudice against homosexuality, commonly called homophobia, is now widely considered a form of discrimination.
Same-sex relationships and marriages are becoming more accepted and legally recognized in many societies around the world.

3. Bisexuality

Bisexuality refers to the s3xual orientation described as romantic or s3xual attraction to people of one’s sex and of the opposite sex or gender.

Some characteristics of bisexuality:

Bisexuality is a distinct s3xual orientation, not something someone passes through on the way to identifying as straight or gay.
Attractions do not have to be divided evenly among genders – someone may experience a preference without limiting themselves.
Bisexual people often face unique types of biphobia or invalidation from both the heterosexual and homosexual communities.
Estimates suggest anywhere from 1-5% of people identify as bisexual though many more may have engaged in sexual activity with both sexes without assuming the label.

4. Asexuality

Asexuality refers to the lack of sexual attraction or low or absent interest in s3xual activity.

An asexual person may still experience romantic attractions and form close bonds but experience little to no s3xual desire or attraction toward others.

5. Pansexuality

Pansexuality describes s3xual, romantic, or emotional attraction towards people regardless of their s3x or gender identity.

Often defined as attracted to the person rather than the gender.

6. Polyamory

Polyamory involves the practice or desire for intimate relationships with more than one partner, with the consent of all people involved.

A polyamorous person may have strongly committed loving relationships that are not s3xually or romantically exclusive.

Communication and trust are especially important in ethical polyamorous relationships to meet the needs of everyone. It is important to not confuse polyamory with cheating.

FAQs

Is Being Gay a Choice?

No, most mainstream scientific organizations recognize s3xual orientation as something determined by a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors and not a choice.

People do not choose to be gay, bisexual, or straight anymore than they choose other innate traits like handedness.

Is It Possible to Change Sexual Orientation?

While sexual fluidity is real, meaning attractions may evolve over a lifetime, there is no credible evidence that s3xual orientation itself can be voluntarily changed through efforts like therapy.

Major professional medical organizations discourage attempts to change orientation as potentially harmful.

Sexual orientation appears to generally stay stable over a person’s lifetime.

What Causes Different Sexual Orientations?

The causes of varying sexual orientations are complex and not fully understood.

Multiple factors across genetic, hormonal, and environmental influences are thought to shape s3xual orientation in each individual.

No single cause has been scientifically identified as responsible for a person being gay, straight, or bisexual. We are all complex natural phenomena.

Is Being Transgender a Sexuality?

No, being transgender is considered a gender identity rather than a s3xual orientation.

Gender identity describes a person’s inner identification as male, female, or something else. It is distinct from s3xual orientation which involves whom one is attracted to.

Transgender people, like cisgender people, can be straight, lesbian, gay, bisexual, etc. based on who they are attracted to regardless of their birth s3x or gender assigned at birth.

Final Thought

In this article, I have outlined and explained some of the major types of s3xual orientations and identities experienced by people.

No concept can fully capture the rich diversity of human sexuality, however, a greater understanding of different orientations beyond just heterosexuality can help promote inclusion and acceptance of all.

Whether gay, straight, bisexual, asexual, or anything else, people of all sexualities deserve equal dignity and respect.

I hope this provides helpful information for those seeking to better understand sexuality in its many variations.

Please feel free to leave any other questions you may have in the comments below.