Heterosexual

Not even 'straight' is cut and dried

Is heterosexuality the opposite of homosexuality?

Can a heterosexual person be attracted to a person of the same sex?

Not even 'straight' is cut and dried

Sexuality is a spectrum, and there's more than one way of being straight. It's true that people who identify this way are in general attracted only to people of a different gender to them - but that can cover a lot of bases! There are more than two genders, after all; there are people who identify as straight who are attracted to others of any gender other than their own. Some straight people are attracted primarily to gender identity, and have relationships with trans partners, while other may find that they seem only to be attracted to cisgendered people. Not even 'straight' is a cut and dried sexuality - never forget that humans are complex, and so therefore are the words they use to describe themselves!

What does heterosexual mean?

Someone who is exclusively romantically and or sexually attracted to people of the opposite gender/sex. So a woman who is attracted to men or a man who is attracted to women.

Is heterosexual the same as straight?

Yes, just as homosexuality is often expressed as a person being gay, Heterosexuality is often referred to as being straight.

Is heterosexuality the opposite of homosexuality?

It’s not as simple as that. Both can be seen as the far ends of the spectrum of sexual orientation with bisexuality sitting in the middle.

Can a heterosexual person be attracted to a person of the same sex?

It is definitely possible! Someone who is mostly attracted to people of the opposite sex may find someone of the same sex attractive. Just because you’re attracted to one person of the same sex as you doesn’t mean you’re necessarily gay or bisexual. It is up to that person to define what their sexuality is. If they identify as straight and not bisexual that is up to them.

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Questions answered on bisexuality

There's a common misconception that the word 'bisexual' means 'someone who is attracted to the two binary genders', but this isn't really the case; generally, the word means (and is used to mean) 'attracted to people of my gender and people not of my gender'. As such, it can have broadly the same meaning as 'pansexual' - and the two terms are increasingly often used interchangeably by people to whom both can apply. Whichever you prefer, it's absolutely vital to remember that bisexuals aren't on the fence, waiting to choose or 50/50 - they're simply capable of being attracted to people of all and any genders.

For women into women

Like all of the words people use to describe their identities, different people use the term 'lesbian' in different ways -but it's pretty much universal that lesbians identify as women, and have relationships only with other people who also do. Lesbians are, therefore 'monosexual', which means 'attracted to only one gender'. Not all women who are only attracted to women describe themselves as being lesbians, though - some prefer to use 'gay', 'queer' or other terms, for either personal or political reasons. It's always a good idea to ask someone how they self-identify before assuming, no matter how obvious you think they're supposed identity is.

Men who are into gay men

Traditionally, the term 'gay' refers to people who identify as men who date, sleep with and love only other people who also identify as men. Over the years, however, more and more people on the LGBT+ spectrum came to identify with the term; people of many gender identities and sexual orientations sometimes use it to describe themselves now. The controversy surrounding gayness has mostly to do with the fact that cis gay men are seen and portrayed very differently to many other LGBT+ people - and often wind up as the recipients of a huge amount of the acceptance, understanding, attention and publicity afforded to this group as a whole.