These terms are not related to gender identity and may differ depending on the individual person or culture.
In addition, terminology changes over time and will continue to evolve into the future.
Use of the correct words can be affirming while use of incorrect terminology can be disempowering.
Verywell / Alex Dos Diaz
Below is a glossary of terms related to sexual identity.
Aromantic:Referring to a person who has no romantic attraction or interest in romantic relationships with any gender.
Autosexual:Referring to a person who feels sexually attracted to themselves.
These individuals are capable of having relationships with others but prefer sex with themselves.
Allosexual:Referring to a person who experiences sexual attraction.
Allosexism:The assumption that people in society experience or should experience sexual attraction.
This leads to privilege for those who experience attraction and prejudice against people who are asexual.
Autoromantic:Referring to a person who is romantically attracted to themselves.
These attitudes are generally based on stereotypes about bisexual people such as the supposed inability to be monogamous.
Bi-positive:An attitude toward bisexual individuals that is validating and accepting (the opposite of biphobia).
Bisexual:Referring to a person who feels sexually attracted to two or more genders.
Cishet: A person who is both cisgender and heterosexual.
For example, by sharing about a same-gender relationship or attraction.
Erasure:The practice of ignoring that sexuality exists on a spectrum.
Family of origin:A persons biological family or the one that was involved in their development.
Gay-positive:An attitude that is accepting and affirming of gay individuals.
Gynesexual/Gynephilic:Attraction to femininity, women, or females regardless of their assigned sex at birth.
Heteroflexible:Referring to people who are primarily heterosexual but who may have interest in same-sex relationships.
Heterosexual privilege:Privileges experienced by people who are heterosexual simply because of their sexual orientation.
This includes the ability to publicly display affection without fearing judgment or raising children without fear of discrimination.
Homophobia:Fear, prejudice, anger, or negative attitudes aimed at people who are gay or lesbian.
This can range from mild to severe forms.
Homosexual:Referring to a person with a sexual orientation toward members of the same gender.
This is a somewhat outdated term and most people prefer gay or lesbian.
Nonbinary people can also identify as lesbian.
Some lesbians may also identify as gay or queer.
LGBTQ+:An acronym referring to lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer/questioning, etc.
Monoamorous/Monogamous:People who only have relationships with one person at a time.
Neptunic:A nonbinary person attracted to men.
Outing:Exposing someones sexual orientation without their prior consent.
Omnisexual:Referring to a person whose sexuality is not limited to a particular sexual orientation.
Perioriented: Referring to a person with a sexual and romantic orientation toward the same gender.
For example, being sexually interested in women and also romantically interested in women.
Polyamorous:A term referring to people who have relationships with more than one person at the same time.
Queer:Historically this term was used in a derogatory way to refer to the LGBTQ community.
Questioning:The process through which an individual questions, explores, or discovers their sexual orientation.
Same Gender Loving:Term used by the Black community to convey a same-gender sexual orientation.
Skoliosexual:Attraction to transsexual and genderqueer individuals and presentations.
Sexual Minorities:The subset of people who identify as LGBTQ.
For example, heterosexual, bisexual, or homosexual.
Sexual orientation can change over the course of ones life and depending on the situation.
Sexuality:How a person experiences romantic and sexual attraction.
This can include both people who are cisgender and transgender.
Sexual Attraction:The experience of sexual desire toward a person or group of people.
Sex Averse:Referring to people who are disinterested or averse to sexual behavior including those who are asexual.
Sex Favorable:Referring to people who are asexual but in some situations have positive feelings about sex.
Sex Indifferent:Referring to people who are asexual and feel neutral about sexual behavior.
Spectrasexual:Referring to people who are attracted to individuals of multiple genders.
Trixic:A nonbinary person attracted to women.
Trixic people can also identify as lesbian.
Varioriented:When a persons sexual interest and romantic orientation are not aimed at the same gender.
WSW:Referring to women who have sex with women.
This can include lesbians, bisexual women, and heterosexual women.
Not all women who fall into this category identify themselves as bisexual or lesbian.
As terminology continues to evolve, you may also find that terms people prefer that you use also change.
Government of Canada.Gender and sexual diversity glossary.
National Institutes of Health.Sexual and gender minority.
