Sexual Orientation
Sexual orientation describes the gender or genders to which a person feels emotional, romantic, physical, and/or sexual attraction. It is part of a person’s identity and is independent of individual sexual practices, preferences, or experiences.
Sexual orientation can include heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, pansexual, or asexual orientations, among others. It may develop differently over time or only become consciously clear later in life. Sexual orientation should not be confused with current behavior or with BDSM practices, as these do not automatically reveal a person’s sexual identity.