Sexuality: our emotional, romantic, and sexual attraction
We believe that everyone should have the freedom and support to explore, embrace, and express their sexuality in a way that feels right for them, free from discrimination and prejudice.
Sexuality is a big part of who we are as people.
It’s not about the physical aspects of sex, in fact it’s not about that at all generally. It encompasses our emotional, romantic, and sexual attraction, as well as how this interacts with our understanding of our own gender, the genders of others and sometimes even our perceived gender by others. It’s about our feelings, who we like and how we feel about our attraction (or lack of attraction) to others.
Figuring out your sexuality is a personal journey, and it can evolve and change over time.
Sexuality is how you feel about your attraction to another person. This is usually based on someone's romantic or sexual attraction in relation to the gender or genders to which they are typically attracted to.
Glossary of Sexuality terms
Sexuality is a complex and diverse aspect of human identity, encompassing a vast array of orientations and expressions. Understanding the terminology associated with sexuality is essential for creating an inclusive and respectful environment for all individuals.
Please note that terminology develops and changes over time and new words come in to being when there are no words to describe how someone feels so a new word is created to explain that persons experience.
Remember – no one is ever expecting you to remember these terms and its perfectly fine to ask someone what their identity means if you don’t know the word! Even some of us in the LGBTQ+ community have no idea what some of the terms mean!
Experiences fluctuating levels of asexuality.
Attracted to individuals identifying as male or masculine.
Experiences little or no romantic attraction to others.
Experiences little or no sexual attraction to others.
Experiences sexual attraction primarily to oneself.
Experiences romantic attraction to individuals of two or more genders.
Attracted to individuals of two or more genders.
Experiences sexual attraction only after forming a deep emotional connection.
Experiences romantic attraction only after forming a deep emotional connection.
Attraction to individuals of your own gender.
Experiences romantic attraction rarely or under specific circumstances.
Attracted to individuals identifying as female or feminine.
Experiences romantic attraction to individuals of the opposite gender.
Attracted to individuals of the opposite gender.
Experiences romantic attraction to individuals of the same gender.
Attracted to individuals of the same gender.
Women attracted to women.
Experiences romantic attraction regardless of gender.
Attracted to individuals regardless of gender or gender identity.
Attracted to multiple, but not necessarily all, genders.
An umbrella term for non-heterosexual orientations (is also used as a ‘umbrella’ term for anyone feeling a little bit different/strange/unusual about their sexuality or gender identity in comparison to someone straight or cigender, can also mean non-binary or genderqueer).
Attracted to individuals with non-binary or genderqueer identities.