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208 SEXU ALIT Y

Different sexual identities SEE ALSO
‹
‹ 194–195 Dating
206–207 Sexuality
A person’s sexual identity describes the gender(s) of the people who Attraction 210–211 ›
they want to be romantic or sexual with. Sexual identity is just one Coming out 212–213 ›
part of who a person is, and they should not be defined by it.

Useful terms GOOD T O KNO W
There are many different words that are used when people talk LGBTQ+
about sexual identity. If a person doesn’t see themselves represented LGBTQ is a collective term for sexual identities that
in the list below, it is because of the limitations of such definitions, aren’t straight. A + sign is sometimes added at the
not because that teen cannot be who they are. end to indicate the wider spectrum of sexualities
not included in the existing letters.

Straight Gay Bisexual
A person is described as straight, This term descibes someone A person who is bisexual, or bi,
or heterosexual, if they want to be who prefers to be romantic and wants to be romantic and sexual
romantic and sexual with people sexual with people of the same with people of the same sex and of
of a different sex. sex. They are sometimes referred a different sex. They are sometimes
to as homosexual. called pansexual.

Asexual Aromantic Queer
An asexual person isn’t interested in Someone who is aromantic isn’t This term is used to describe a
sexual contact with anyone. They interested in romantic connections wide range of sexual identities,
may or may not be interested in with anyone. They may or may not other than straight.
romantic connections. be interested in sexual contact.

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