Sexual Orientations & Identities

Asexual
A person who experiences little to no sexual attraction toward others. Asexuality exists on a spectrum—some people may still enjoy romantic relationships, physical touch, or intimacy without sexual activity.

Bisexual
A person who is romantically or sexually attracted to more than one gender. This attraction can vary in degree and doesn’t have to be equally split between genders.

Demisexual
A person who does not experience sexual attraction unless a strong emotional bond is formed first. Demisexuality is part of the broader asexual spectrum.

Gay
A term most often used to describe men who are emotionally, romantically, or sexually attracted to men. Some women also use “gay” to describe attraction to women.

Heteroflexible
A person who primarily identifies as heterosexual but is open to, or has experience with, same-sex attraction. It represents fluidity in sexual orientation.

Lesbian
A woman who is emotionally, romantically, or sexually attracted to other women. Some non-binary people who are attracted to women may also use this label.

Pansexual
A person who is attracted to individuals regardless of gender identity. The word comes from the Greek “pan,” meaning “all.” Pansexuality emphasizes attraction to people as individuals rather than to genders.

Queer
An umbrella term used by many to describe non-heterosexual orientations and identities. Once used as a slur, “queer” has been reclaimed by LGBTQ+ communities, though some may still prefer not to use it.

Omnisexual
A person who is attracted to people of all genders, but unlike pansexuality, some may feel that gender plays a role in how their attraction is experienced.

Polysexual
A person who is attracted to multiple genders, but not necessarily all. For example, a polysexual individual may be attracted to men and women, but not non-binary people.

Questioning
A term for someone who is exploring or unsure about their sexual orientation or gender identity. It acknowledges that identities can be fluid and take time to understand.

Transgender
An umbrella term for people whose gender identity does not align with the sex they were assigned at birth. Being transgender is about gender identity, not sexual orientation.

Non-Binary
A person whose gender identity does not fit within the traditional categories of male or female. Non-binary people may identify as both, neither, or a mix of genders.

Genderqueer
Often used interchangeably with non-binary, this term describes identities that reject or blur traditional gender distinctions. Some prefer it as a political or activist term.

Intersex
A person born with physical sex characteristics (such as chromosomes, hormones, or genitalia) that don’t fit typical definitions of male or female. Intersex is about biological variation, not orientation.

Heterosexual (Straight)
A person who is emotionally, romantically, or sexually attracted to people of the opposite gender. This is the most commonly recognized orientation.

Cisgender
A person whose gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth. For example, someone assigned female at birth who identifies as a woman.

Two-Spirit
A term used within some Indigenous North American cultures to describe a person who embodies both masculine and feminine spirits. It has deep cultural and spiritual significance and should not be appropriated outside of Indigenous contexts.