Different Types of Sexual Orientation

There are a variety of different sexual orientations with which a person might identify, all of which are
independent of their gender and gender identity. Below are the different types of sexual orientation:

Androsexuality or Androphilia

 Defined as attraction to men, males, and/or masculinity

 Does not limit a person to one specific sexual orientation, but can be felt by members of
multiple categories
 For example, a heterosexual woman and a gay man are both androphillic as they are sexually
interested in males.

Aromanticism

 People who do not feel romantic desire are considered aromantic

Asexuality

 A person who generally does not experience sexual attraction or has little to no desire to engage
in sexual activity

Bisexuality

 Often simply referred to as “bi,” a person who is bisexual is attracted to people of both their
own and another gender
 Most commonly refers to people who are attracted to both men and women

Demisexuality

 Encompasses those who do not feel sexual attraction to others unless they feel emotionally
connected to them

Gynesexuality or Gynephilia

 People who are erotically attracted to women, females, and/or femininity

 Gynesexuality does not specify an individual’s gender as the term “lesbian” would, but simply
denotes that they are sexually drawn to feminine qualities
 A heterosexual man and a lesbian woman are gynephillic in that they are attracted to women
Heterosexuality

 A person who is physically, emotionally and/or romantically attracted to individuals of a gender

other than their own
 A man who is attracted solely to women would be considered heterosexual

Homosexuality

 A person who identifies as homosexual is one who is physically, romantically and/or emotionally
attracted to individuals of the same gender with which they identify
 A man who is attracted to other men is usually referred to as “gay”
 A woman who is attracted to other women may prefer to be called “a lesbian”

Pansexuality

 The word “pansexual” is derived from the Greek prefix “pan,” meaning “all”
 People who identify as pansexual (or “omnisexual” in some cases) are attracted to others
regardless of sex or gender

Queer

 Serves as an umbrella term for all non-heterosexual, non cis-gender identities

 For example, a bisexual person who does not feel comfortable identifying as “bisexual” or a
lesbian woman who does not wish to identify as “lesbian” can both identify as queer