Exploring the Different Types of Sexuality

Sexuality is part of the development and life of the human being, it is a normal, healthy, and natural sphere that is transformed throughout the evolutionary development of a person. Human sexuality not only includes sexual behavior but also gender, the human body and its functioning, values, attitudes, and affective relationships with others, among other factors.

In this Psychologyorg article, we explore the different types of sexuality. We discuss what each type means and how you can find out which type of sexuality is right for you. When it comes to sexuality, there are many different types of orientations. Each type of sexuality is unique and has its own set of terms and meanings.

What is sex and what is sexuality?

Sex refers to the anatomical and biological part with which the human being is born, male or female according to the genital organs with which it is born. For its part, sexuality includes sexual behavior, relationships or sexual activity, intimacy, and how the person decides to express themselves as a man or a woman, both or neither, that is, the way they speak, express themselves, and interpersonal relationships.

Another of the terms used in sexuality is a sexual orientation, which refers to when a person chooses their preference or the pattern of sexual, erotic, and loving attraction towards a specific group of people determined by their lovemaking. It is important to highlight that sexual orientation is totally independent of sexual identity, sexual orientation in a few words is to which group of people a person feels attracted, being sexual, affective, romantic, and psychological, which is maintained over time.

Heterosexual

Heterosexuality refers to the sexual attraction and sexual behavior between people of different sex, being a man and a woman. As part of sexual orientation, heterosexuality is an enduring pattern in affective or erotic relationships with individuals of the opposite sex. As social beings, human beings belong to groups of social belonging based on attractions and behavior, which is why heterosexuality is based on fully heterosexual behaviors. In observable that some mammals maintain markedly manifest their sexual attraction with other mammals of different sex.

Heterosexuality is the most recognized and socially accepted by Western culture, since it complies with traditional religious and social mandates, strongly justified by conservative sectors for human reproduction.

Homosexuality

Homosexuality refers to physical and romantic attraction and sexual behavior towards people of the same sex. As part of sexual orientation, homosexuality is a lasting pattern of liking and emotional attraction, likewise, the behavior is related to a specific community that shares the same liking of attraction to individuals of the identical sex and gender.

A homosexual man is colloquially known by the term gay, while in the case of women, they are known as lesbians. It is difficult to know the percentage of the homosexual population, as well as those people who have had a homosexual experience and want to openly express their sexual orientation, this silence is due to the irrational fear that some people and cultures show with homosexuality. This irrational fear of or contempt for people who hold a same-sex sexual orientation is known as homophobia.

On the other hand, science argues that this sexual orientation is determined by biological, environmental, and emotional models that are determined at an early age, even before puberty. 

Bisexuality

People who maintain a bisexual sexual orientation are those who feel physically, sexually, and emotionally attracted to people of either sex. For some people who hold this orientation, the degree and manner in which they are attracted to people of a different sex can change throughout their lives, so they are not consistent in their gender preference as male or female.

Its colloquial term is “bi” and its expression by others based on irrational fear or rejection of people with a bisexual sexual orientation is known as biphobia and is one of the fundamental causes of physical and psychological violence and discrimination that people experience. bisexual.

Transsexuality

Transsexuality refers to those people who feel they were born in the wrong biological body and emotionally express feelings that they do not belong to the sex they have.

For the “International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Corresponding Health Issues ICD-10 (cited by Aznar, J. 2016), transsexuality can be defined as “the desire to live and be accepted as a member of the opposite sex, which usually goes accompanied by a feeling of disagreement with one’s anatomical sex and consequently with the desire to receive hormonal or surgical treatment so that one’s body is consistent with the preferred sex of each one”.

On the other hand, the irrational fear or contempt towards the lack of acceptance or discomfort in front of transsexual people is called transphobia, whose gender expression does not conform to the gender roles established in society.

Asexuality

Asexuality refers to those people who do not manifest sexual or romantic attraction to either of the two biological sexes, in other words, these people do not maintain a life or sexual behavior with others as well as a sexual orientation. Despite the fact that human beings live in such a sexual society, being asexual does not imply a disease, illness or mental disorder.

It is important to highlight the difference between asexuality and erotophobia and it is that the latter refers to the irrational and specific fear of maintaining sexual contact. The fear is based on having a sexual behavior with another person, in which symptoms and signs that cause discomfort are present, unlike asexuality, which does not have a connotation of emotional and psychological discomfort.

pansexuality

For its part, pansexuality, another type of sexuality, is the physical and emotional attraction to those people without taking into account or being less important their sexual orientation, identity, or physical appearance. In other terms, they are attracted to the human being and her personality without discriminating in physical, sexual, gender, orientation, and sexual identity aspects, being able to establish an affective and sexual relationship with heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, or transsexual people.

Antrosexuality

Antrosexuality has a conceptualization similar to pansexuality where there is a physical, sexual, and romantic attraction towards any type of person regardless of whether they are heterosexual, bisexual, homosexual, or transsexual, the difference between heterosexual people is that they are unaware of what it is. your sexual orientation.

Demisexuality

The next type of sexuality that we are going to describe is demisexuality. They are those people who develop a sexual attraction if there is previously an emotional and affective attraction with the other person. Not only does it have to refer to a romantic or partner relationship, but it can be given thanks to friendship, a strong emotional bond, and intimacy.

Sapiosexuality

People with sapiosexuality show an interest and a physical, romantic, and affective attraction for those people, being men or women, who show a great intellectual capacity. This interest stems from the fact that intelligence is considered to be a main factor when establishing an affective and sexual relationship, being more common in women than in men.

Gray sexuality

They are those people who are in a borderline situation between sexuality and asexuality, that is, they can spend long periods without maintaining sexual activity and contact but if they have the sexual desire they can perform sexual behavior. It can occur between men and women.

Due to the diversity in terms of sexual orientation that a man or woman can present, there is rejection in various groups towards these people who show a different sexual orientation, in it may only be rejection in others that rejection can be transformed into a phobia, Regardless of which group of thought one belongs to, it is recommended that if that dogma causes one’s own discomfort or induces mental or emotional discomfort for others, receive professional help through mental health specialists.

This article is simply for information, at Psychologyorg we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend treatment. We request you go to a psychologist to treat your respective issue.

If you want to read more articles similar to Exploring the Different Types of Sexuality, we recommend that you enter our Sexology category.

FAQs

Q: What is sexuality?

A: Sexuality refers to a person’s sexual orientation or preference in terms of attraction, desire, and emotional or romantic relationships with others.

Q: What are the different types of sexuality?

A: There are various types of sexuality that people identify with. Some common types include heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, and asexual orientations. However, it is important to note that sexuality is diverse and can encompass a wide range of identities beyond these categories.

Q: What is heterosexual sexuality?

A: Heterosexual sexuality, also known as straight sexuality, refers to individuals who are predominantly attracted to people of the opposite sex or gender.

Q: What is homosexual sexuality?

A: Homosexual sexuality, commonly known as gay or lesbian sexuality, refers to individuals who are predominantly attracted to people of the same sex or gender.

Q: What is bisexual sexuality?

A: Bisexual sexuality refers to individuals who are attracted to both men and women or more broadly, to multiple genders.

Q: What is asexual sexuality?

A: Asexual sexuality refers to individuals who experience little or no sexual attraction to others. Asexuality does not necessarily mean a lack of interest in emotional or romantic relationships.

Q: Are there other types of sexuality beyond heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, and asexual?

A: Yes, there are numerous other sexual orientations and identities that people may identify with, such as pansexuality, demisexuality, queer, questioning, and more. It is important to respect and acknowledge the diverse range of sexual orientations and identities that individuals may identify with.

Q: What is pansexuality?

A: Pansexuality refers to individuals who are attracted to people regardless of their sex, gender identity, or gender expression. Pansexual individuals may be attracted to people of all genders.

Q: What is demisexuality?

A: Demisexuality is a sexual orientation where individuals only experience sexual attraction after developing a strong emotional bond with someone.

Q: What does it mean to identify as queer?

A: The term “queer” is an inclusive umbrella term used by some individuals to describe their sexual orientation or gender identity. It can encompass a range of non-heterosexual and non-cisgender identities.

Q: What does it mean to identify as questioning?

A: Questioning refers to individuals who are exploring their own sexual orientation or gender identity and have not yet settled on a specific label or identity.

Q: Can a person’s sexuality change over time?

A: Yes, a person’s sexuality can be fluid and may change or evolve over time. Some individuals may initially identify as one sexual orientation and later discover that another label better represents their experiences and attractions. It is important to respect and support individuals’ self-identified sexual orientations.

Q: Is it possible to be attracted to more than one gender?

A: Yes, it is possible to be attracted to more than one gender. Bisexuality, pansexuality, and other non-monosexual orientations reflect an attraction to multiple genders.

Q: How should I respect and support individuals with different sexual orientations?

A: It is important to be accepting, respectful, and non-judgmental towards individuals with different sexual orientations. Use the language and pronouns that individuals prefer, listen to their experiences, educate yourself about diverse sexual orientations, and treat everyone with dignity and equality.

Q: Can children or adolescents have a sexual orientation?

A: Yes, individuals may start to become aware of their sexual orientation during childhood or adolescence. It is important to create safe and supportive environments for young people to explore and understand their sexual orientations without judgment or discrimination.

Read Also: What if a woman hasn’t had sex for a long time?