Sexual orientation refers to a person’s enduring pattern of emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attraction to others. It is separate from gender identity, which is about how someone identifies as male, female, non-binary, or otherwise. Because human attraction can be fluid and personal, the language used to describe sexual orientation continues to evolve as society’s understanding deepens.
Common Sexual Orientation Labels and Definitions
Below are many of the most commonly used terms people use to describe their sexual orientation. These labels are meant to help people express themselves and, potentially, to help their partners better understand their sexuality. These terms are descriptive, not restrictive or exclusive and some people may choose to use more than one term to describe themselves.
- Heterosexual (or straight): A person who is emotionally, romantically, and/or sexually attracted to people of a different gender.
- Gay: A person who is emotionally, romantically, and/or sexually attracted to people of the same gender. Often used for men, but can apply to anyone whose primary attraction is to the same gender.
- Lesbian: A woman who is emotionally, romantically, and/or sexually attracted to other women.
- Bisexual: A person who is emotionally, romantically, and/or sexually attracted to more than one gender, though not necessarily at the same time or in the same way.
- Pansexual: A person who is emotionally, romantically, and/or sexually attracted to people regardless of gender.
- Heteroflexible: A person who identifies as mostly heterosexual but occasionally experiences attraction to or relationships with people of the same gender.
- Queer: An umbrella term used by some to describe a sexual orientation (and/or gender identity) that is not exclusively heterosexual or cisgender. Because this term has been used as a slur, it should be used respectfully and only for those who self-identify with it.
- Questioning: A person who is exploring or unsure of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity.
- Asexual: A person who experiences little or no sexual attraction to any gender. Asexuality exists on a spectrum—some people may still experience romantic or aesthetic attraction.
- Aromantic: A person who experiences little or no romantic attraction to any gender, though they may still experience sexual attraction.
- Demisexual: A person who only experiences sexual attraction after forming a strong emotional or romantic connection with someone.
- Multisexual: A broad term describing someone who is attracted to more than one gender; includes bisexual, pansexual, and polysexual identities.
- Monosexual: Refers to people who are attracted to one gender only, such as heterosexual, gay, or lesbian individuals.
- Polysexual: A person who is attracted to multiple, but not all, genders.
- Omnisexual: A person who is attracted to all genders, with an awareness of gender as a factor in their attraction.
- Fluid (sexual fluidity): Describes when a person’s attractions or labels shift over time, depending on context or personal experience.
Emerging Sexual Orientation Terms
As understanding of human sexuality grows, new terms continue to appear that some use to describe experiences that may not be commonly used. These emerging terms reflect the diversity of attraction and identity.
- Skoliosexual: A person who is primarily attracted to non-binary, genderqueer, or gender-nonconforming individuals.
- Graysexual (or gray-asexual): Someone who falls between sexual and asexual; they may rarely experience sexual attraction or only under specific circumstances.
- Reciprosexual: A person who only experiences sexual attraction after realizing someone is sexually attracted to them first.
- Lithsexual (or akiosexual): Someone who experiences sexual attraction but does not wish for it to be reciprocated or acted upon.
- Sapiosexual: A person who is attracted to intelligence regardless of gender.
- Androsexual: Someone who is attracted to masculinity or people who present masculine traits, regardless of their gender identity.
- Gynosexual: Someone who is attracted to femininity or people who present feminine traits, regardless of their gender identity.
- Cupiosexual: A person who does not experience sexual attraction but still desires sexual interaction or relationships.
- Abrosexual: Someone whose sexual orientation is fluid and can change over time in terms of who they are attracted to.
Sexual Orientation, Labels, and Personal Choice
Using accurate and respectful language when describing orientation helps create understanding and inclusion. It validates people’s experiences and allows them to express who they are. It also helps avoid assumptions—someone’s relationship or partner does not always define how they identify.
Language around sexuality continues to evolve as people find new ways to describe themselves. What feels right for one person may change over time, and that’s perfectly normal.
No single label fits everyone perfectly. Some people choose multiple labels, while others prefer not to use any at all. What matters most is how individuals define themselves and what feels authentic to them.
Orientation is about attraction—not behavior alone. Someone’s past relationships or experiences don’t necessarily determine their orientation label.
Sexual orientation labels help foster self-understanding, connection, and community. They give people a language to describe their experiences, but they are not boxes that limit who someone can be. As our understanding of human sexuality continues to grow, new terms will emerge and meanings may shift.
The most respectful approach is to listen to how people identify themselves, honor their language, and remain open to learning as the language of identity continues to evolve.
