SEXUAL ORIENTATION

WHAT TURNS YOU ON?


Sexual orientation is about who you’re attracted to
and who you want to have romantic relationships with.

HERE ARE DIFFERENT TYPES OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION*

* Due to the ever changing nature and increasing acceptance of sexual identity labels, the ones listed above are currently the most used, but there are subcategories and different labels besides these.

 
 
 
 

AROMANTIC is someone who experience sexual attraction, but not romantic attraction.

ASEXUAL describes someone who doesn’t experience any sexual attraction for anyone.

BISEXUAL people are attracted to both men and women.

 

HETEROSEXUAL or straight people are attracted to a different gender.

HOMOSEXUAL - gay or lesbian people are attracted to people of the same gender.

PANSEXUAL or queer people have attractions that span across many different gender identities.

QUESTIONING OR CURIOUS people are unsure about their sexual orientation.

 
 

BE KIND TO YOUR SELF

When you are first starting to think about your gender and sexual identity, it’s ok to be a little unsure. It’s important to be open, honest, and kind to yourself about how you truly feel.

There is no set time line to knowing for sure what gender or sexual orientation you decide you are. You can also change your mind whenever you want. It’s important that you don’t feel pressured to be anything you are not by anyone else. This is your life and your body.

There are people in many societies that are not open to different genders and sexual orientations. Its important to find a safe space you can express your true self. Find a person you trust that you can talk with openly about these subjects. That person could be someone you know already, or someone outside your immediate circle, especially if your immediate circle of people are not open and accepting to your true feelings.

Gender and sexuality are very complicated and different to each individual person, but you are not alone in this journey.

To learn more, and to talk to people about your specific feelings, visit the resources page for numbers you can call.