So, what’s your sexual orientation?

Wondering about the different sexual orientations out there? Here's a list that can help you figure it out.

By: Pavitra Sampath | | Updated: January 25, 2016 9:59 am

Gay, bi, lesbian and straight are common ways we describe the sexual orientation of a person. After Miley Cyrus claimed that she was pansexual in the October issue of Elle, NY, the entire plethora of various sexual orientations opened up. But what do they actually mean? Here is a list of the various sexual orientations presently.

Disclaimer: The author is not an expert in the field. Please feel free to correct us in the comments section below.

Heterosexual: Also colloquially known as straight, heterosexuality is a sexual orientation that most of us are well versed with. This is a form of sexual orientation where a person is sexually attracted to a person of the opposite sex.

Homosexual or gay: This is an orientation where a man is attracted to a man. Although considered illegal in India (because of section 377). Many countries have embraced this sexual orientation and legalised same-sex marriage.

Homosexual or lesbian: Also known as homosexual women, this is a sexual orientation where a woman is sexually attracted to another woman. Again, something that is illegal in India, but accepted in many other parts of the world.

Bi-sexual : Another sexual orientation that is referred to colloquially as ‘bi’. This is a sexual orientation where a person is sexually attracted to people of both sexes (men and women).

Questioning or bi-curious: This is where a person is not quite sure about their sexuality and is still in the process of finding a sexual niche (so to speak). While some people feel that labelling a person’s sexual orientation is not necessary, others are of the opinion that they’d like to fit in any one group — which is where questioning or bi-curious people come into the picture.

Pansexual or omnisexual: This is a type of sexuality where the person is attracted to people irrespective of their gender. Which means, they may be attracted to people who fit the binary system of gender identification (male and female) and those who do not (for example, those who are transgender, people of the third gender or are genderqueer).

Asexual: These people are those who are not sexually attracted to people of any gender. They are not sexually attracted to anyone. That being said, they can have romantic relationships but do not have a desire to have sex with their partner.

Demisexual: This is a type of sexuality where a person is only attracted to another person he/she has an emotional connection to. This connection need not be romantic in nature at all times and may even be an interest in a close friend or co-worker. According to Arf, the owner of demisexuality.com, there are a few demisexual people who may not feel a sexual attraction arising from a romantic relationship and may feel so when they have an emotional connection.

Gray-asexual: This type of sexuality is where a person normally has no sexual attraction to any one, except on occasions. According to the Asexuality Archives, a person who is gray-asexual is between the spectrum of asexuality and sexuality, and a person who identifies with this form of sexuality, also often identifies with asexuality.

Androgynosexual: These are people who are attracted to both men and women, but both the sexes must be both extremely feminine and masculine at the same time. Think a buff, ripped woman.

Androsexual: People oriented to this type of sexuality are sexually attracted to men or women with masculine features.

Gynosexual: The opposite of androsexuals, gynosexual people are sexually attracted to a man or woman with feminine features.

Hetero-flexible: These are heterosexual people who are also attracted to people of the same sex. Not to be confused with homosexual or bisexual people, heterosexual people are those who identify as heterosexual people but also have an attraction towards people of the same sex.

Homo-flexible: Similar to people who are hetero-flexible, homo-flexible people are those who identify as homosexuals but are also sexually attracted to people of the opposite sex.

Skoliosexual: Also known as poly-sexuality, people who identify with skoliosexuality are those who are sexually attracted to people who identify themselves as gender-queer or non-binary (when a person does not identify as a man or a woman).

Autosexual: Finally, autosexual people are those who are sexually attracted to themselves.

Think we got all the different sexual orientations? If we have missed or made errors in describing any sexual orientations, do let us know in the comments section below.

Image source: Shutterstock

Published : September 2, 2015 6:51 pm | Updated:January 25, 2016 9:59 am

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