Let's talk about sexual orientation - it's all about who we're into, you know? It is about feelings of romance, emotions and physical attraction.
Some people are attracted to people of the opposite sex, some are attracted to people of the same sex, and some are attracted to both people. The spectrum is diverse and each one is unique in its own way.
It is important to remember that sexual orientation is a personal and deeply individual aspect of a person's identity, so are you curious to find your own sexual identity, then let's check the gay test quiz.
Society is increasingly accepting and understanding of different sexual orientations, which I think is pretty amazing. Whether you are straight, gay, bisexual, or identify with some other orientation, it's all good.
The most important thing is to respect and support the guidance of others, because love is love and we all need the freedom to be ourselves.
Since 1975, the American Psychological Association (APA) has advocated for psychologists to take action and combat the stigma surrounding mental illness wrongly associated with lesbian orientations. Click here to know more about Understanding sexual orientation and homosexuality.
Psychology is about caring for people's well-being, and that includes addressing anything that threatens their mental health.
Unfortunately, prejudice and discrimination remain widespread, and people who identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual often face these challenges.
The good news is that research has shown that these negative experiences can have psychological effects. Therefore, it is crucial to address this issue.
Page of the APA provides accurate information for those who want to better understand sexual orientation and learn more about the impact of prejudice and discrimination on lesbian, gay and bisexual people.
It is a useful resource for anyone interested in gaining a deeper understanding of and supporting the LGBTQ+ community.
It is encouraging to see psychologists taking the lead in promoting inclusion and combating discrimination. By working together, we can create a more tolerant and caring world for everyone, regardless of sexual orientation.
Let's celebrate the progress and keep spreading love and acceptance! If you have any ideas or questions, please feel free to share them with us.
Sexual Orientation
Sexual orientation refers to an enduring pattern of emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attractions to men, women, or both sexes.
Sexual orientation also refers to a person’s sense of identity based on those attractions, related behaviors, and membership in a community of others who share those attractions.
Research over several decades has demonstrated that sexual orientation ranges along a continuum, from exclusive attraction to the other sex to exclusive attraction to the same sex.
However, sexual orientation is usually discussed in terms of three categories:
- heterosexual (having emotional, romantic, or sexual attractions to members of the other sex)
- gay/lesbian (having emotional, romantic, or sexual attractions to members of one’s own sex)
- bisexual (having emotional, romantic, or sexual attractions to both men and women)
This range of behaviors and attractions has been described in various cultures and nations throughout the world. Many cultures use identity labels to describe people who express these attractions.
In the United States the most frequent labels are lesbians (women attracted to women), gay men (men attracted to men), and bisexual people (men or women attracted to both sexes). However, some people may use different labels or none at all.
Sexual orientation is distinct from other components of sex and gender, including biological sex (the anatomical, physiological, and genetic characteristics associated with being male or female), gender identity (the psychological sense of being male or female), and social gender role (the cultural norms that define feminine and masculine behavior).
Sexual orientation is commonly discussed as if it were solely a characteristic of an individual, like biological sex, gender identity, or age.
This perspective is incomplete because sexual orientation is defined in terms of relationships with others. People express their sexual orientation through behaviors with others, including such simple actions as holding hands or kissing.
Thus, sexual orientation is closely tied to the intimate personal relationships that meet deeply felt needs for love, attachment, and intimacy.
In addition to sexual behaviors, these bonds include nonsexual physical affection between partners, shared goals and values, mutual support, and ongoing commitment.
Therefore, sexual orientation is not merely a personal characteristic within an individual. Rather, one’s sexual orientation defines the group of people in which one is likely to find the satisfying and fulfilling romantic relationships that are an essential component of personal identity for many people.
How Do People Discover Their Lesbian, Gay, or Bisexual Identity?
According to current scientific and professional understanding, the core attractions that form the basis for adult sexual orientation typically emerge between middle childhood and early adolescence.
These patterns of emotional, romantic, and sexual attraction may arise without any prior sexual experience. People can be celibate and still know their sexual orientation - be it lesbian, gay, bisexual, or heterosexual.
Different lesbian, gay, and bisexual people have very different experiences regarding their sexual orientation. Some people know that they are lesbian, gay, or bisexual for a long time before they actually pursue relationships with other people.
Some people engage in sexual activity (with same-sex and/or other-sex partners) before assigning a clear label to their sexual orientation.
Prejudice and discrimination make it difficult for many people to come to terms with their sexual orientation identities, so claiming a lesbian, gay, or bisexual identity may be a slow process.
Understanding Factors Influencing Individual Sexual Preferences
There is no consensus among scientists about the exact reasons that an individual develops a heterosexual, bisexual, gay, or lesbian orientation.
Although much research has examined the possible genetic, hormonal, developmental, social, and cultural influences on sexual orientation, no findings have emerged that permit scientists to conclude that sexual orientation is determined by any particular factor or factors.
Many think that nature and nurture both play complex roles; most people experience little or no sense of choice about their sexual orientation.
The Impact of Prejudice and Discrimination on Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Individuals
Lesbian, gay, and bisexual people in the United States encounter extensive prejudice, discrimination, and violence because of their sexual orientation. Intense prejudice against lesbians, gay men, and bisexual people was widespread throughout much of the 20th century.
Public opinion studies over the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s routinely showed that, among large segments of the public, lesbian, gay, and bisexual people were the target of strongly held negative attitudes.
More recently, public opinion has increasingly opposed sexual orientation discrimination, but expressions of hostility toward lesbians and gay men remain common in contemporary American society.
Prejudice against bisexual people appears to exist at comparable levels. In fact, bisexual individuals may face discrimination from some lesbian and gay people as well as from heterosexual people.
Sexual orientation discrimination takes many forms. Severe antigay prejudice is reflected in the high rate of harassment and violence directed toward lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals in American society.
Numerous surveys indicate that verbal harassment and abuse are nearly universal experiences among lesbian, gay, and bisexual people.
Also, discrimination against lesbian, gay, and bisexual people in employment and housing appears to remain widespread.
The HIV/AIDS pandemic is another area in which prejudice and discrimination against lesbian, gay, and bisexual people have had negative effects.
Early in the pandemic, the assumption that HIV/AIDS was a “gay disease” contributed to the delay in addressing the massive social upheaval that AIDS would generate.
Gay and bisexual men have been disproportionately affected by this disease. The association of HIV/AIDS with gay and bisexual men and the inaccurate belief that some people held that all gay and bisexual men were infected served to further stigmatize lesbian, gay, and bisexual people.
The Psychological Impact of Prejudice and Discrimination
Prejudice and discrimination have social and personal impact. On the social level, prejudice and discrimination against lesbian, gay, and bisexual people are reflected in the everyday stereotypes of members of these groups.
These stereotypes persist even though they are not supported by evidence, and they are often used to excuse unequal treatment of lesbian, gay, and bisexual people.
For example, limitations on job opportunities, parenting, and relationship recognition are often justified by stereotypic assumptions about lesbian, gay, and bisexual people.
On an individual level, such prejudice and discrimination may also have negative consequences, especially if lesbian, gay, and bisexual people attempt to conceal or deny their sexual orientation.
Although many lesbians and gay men learn to cope with the social stigma against homosexuality, this pattern of prejudice can have serious negative effects on health and well-being.
Individuals and groups may have the impact of stigma reduced or worsened by other characteristics, such as race, ethnicity, religion, or disability.
Some lesbian, gay, and bisexual people may face less of a stigma. For others, race, sex, religion, disability, or other characteristics may exacerbate the negative impact of prejudice and discrimination.
The widespread prejudice, discrimination, and violence to which lesbians and gay men are often subjected are significant mental health concerns.
Sexual prejudice, sexual orientation discrimination, and antigay violence are major sources of stress for lesbian, gay, and bisexual people.
Although social support is crucial in coping with stress, antigay attitudes and discrimination may make it difficult for lesbian, gay, and bisexual people to find such support.