Lgbt orientation
What Does LGBT Mean: Know the Basics
What does sexual orientation mean?
Sexual orientation describes the feelings of sexual attraction, feeling, or romance that a person feels towards others. Our understanding of sexuality has developed over time, becoming more inclusive and reflecting the fluidity of sexual orientation beyond the binary of heterosexual/homosexual. A person’s sexual orientation is not a attuned choice and therefore cannot be voluntarily modified, a person can only opt for how they state their sexuality. Sexual orientation differs from a person’s gender identity, which is a person’s meaning of their possess gender.
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Although these ideas are only now entering the mainstream, researchers include acknowledged the flexible nature of sexuality for several decades. In Drs. Alfred Kinsey, Wardell Pomeroy, and Clyde Martin published a Heterosexual/Homosexual Rating Scale in Sexual Behaviour in the Human Male. The scale, frequently referred to as “The Kinsey Scale”, was numbered from , w
Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Definitions
Sexual orientation
An inherent or immutable enduring emotional, romantic or sexual attraction to other people. Note: an individual’s sexual orientation is independent of their gender identity.
Gender identity
One's innermost concept of self as male, female, a blend of both or neither – how individuals perceive themselves and what they call themselves. One's gender identity can be the same or alternative from their sex assigned at birth.
Gender expression
External appearance of one's gender culture, usually expressed through action, clothing, body characteristics or voice, and which may or may not conform to socially defined behaviors and characteristics typically linked with being either masculine or feminine.
Transgender
An umbrella phrase for people whose gender identity and/or expression is different from cultural expectations based on the sex they were assigned at birth. Being transgender does not imply any specific sexual orientation. Therefore, gender nonconforming people may identify as straight, gay, lesbian, attracted to both genders,
People are often confused by the terms lesbian, same-sex attracted, bisexual, transgender, queer and the related acronym LGBTQIA+. The following definitions will help you to comprehend these terms.
LGBTQIA+: The first four letters of this standard abbreviation are “Lesbian, same-sex attracted, bisexual and transgender.” The letter Q can be upright for “questioning” -- as in still exploring one’s sexuality -- or “queer,” or sometimes both. The I,A and + were added on later to stand for Intersex, Ally or Asexual, and the PLUS sign for everyone else that wasn't included in the first letters.
Lesbian: A woman whose enduring physical, romantic and/or emotional attraction is to some other women. Some lesbians may prefer to identify as gay (adj.) or as gay women. Avoid recognizing lesbians as “homosexuals,” a derogatory term (see Repulsive Terms to Avoid).
Gay: The adjective used to describe people whose enduring physical, amorous and/or emotional attractions are to people of the same sex (e.g., gay man, gay people). I
LGBTI+ sexual identity and orientation
Sexual culture and sexual orientation are part of what makes you who you are. Sexual orientation is your sexual preference for people of the same sex, the opposite sex, or both.
Sexual self is the label that you might use to let others know who you are as a sexual being.
LGBTI+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex.
Coming out
"Coming out" is the term used by LGBTI+ people to describe their experience of discovery, self-acceptance, openness and truthfulness about their LGBTI+ identity.
Whoever you are, or whatever your circumstances, coming out can be a challenging time. You may be afraid that family and friends might reject you when they find out you are LGBTI+. This can put a strain on your mental health.
Most people know they are LGBTI+ for some time before they determine to tell others. This can be a challenging experience, but a rewarding one.
Most people receive a positive and supportive response from family and friends and feel happy that they made the decision to come out.
Bullying or harassment
LGBT