The Transgender Dictionary
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z MISCELLANEOUS

Sexuality

Table of Contents

Introduction

Gender and sexuality are two different concepts that both have a lot to do with the human condition. Gender and sexuality are similar in the sense that anyone who has one that is a deviation from what is considered "the norm" (aka cisgender and heterosexual) is often seen as "abnormal." The fight for equality encompasses that of both uncommon genders and sexualities. Whether you call it the LGBTQIA+ community, the queer community, or even QUILTBAG, those who are not cisgender and heterosexual are lumped together due to shared experiences.

This page is intended to provide information regarding sexuality, though this website overall has a focus on gender rather than sexuality.

If you are looking to find out what your sexuality is, I cannot tell you. Only you can tell yourself what your sexuality is. Personally, I find that the best and easiest way to figure out your sexuality is to first figure out who you are; then figure out who you are attracted to; then find a label from there.

General Information

Sexuality is somewhat of a broad term by itself, but very basically, it refers when a human is attracted to another human; either emotionally, romantically, or physically.

Most humans would describe their sexuality as "straight" or "heterosexual" meaning women who find emotional connection with men; men who are sexually attracted to women, and so on. Of course, just because most humans are doing something in a particular way does not mean that all humans are doing that thing in the same way (the thing in question, being attracted to other humans).

Sexual attraction (or lack thereof) is such a vast experience due to the vast existence of humanity. Human culture is complex and vast. The human experience of gender is complex and vast. There are so many infinite ways in which a human can find attraction, and affection with another human. There are so many different ways a human can present themself and their love.

Some of the most common sexualities (after, of course, heterosexuality) would be homosexual, bisexual, and asexual (defined below). Sexual attraction (or lack thereof) is an experience that most humans can relate to in some way. Some humans find that labeling their experiences helps find a sense of identity and community. There are a lot of terms that people use to describe their attraction to others (more than I could possibly hope to list here).

Sexuality is fluid. Sexual preference and idenitfication can change over time.

Some transgender people will anecdotally claim that going on testosterone or estrogen changed their sexuality.
Personally, I believe that the truth is that it is easier to figure out and properly identify your attraction to others after you are more comfortable in your own body.
In the end, all that matters is that everyone figure out who they themselves are, who they want to be around, and what makes everyone comfortable.

Romantic Attraction

Romantic attraction refers to experiencing, well, romantic attraction as opposed to sexual attraction. For most people, their romantic orientation matches up with their sexual orientation. For others, it doesn't, and that's ok.

Sexuality Dictionary

Additional Questions

I am a straight man attracted to a trans woman. Am I still straight?
Yes.

I am a straight man attracted to a trans man. Am I still straight?
No.

I am a straight woman attracted to a trans woman. Am I still straight?
No.

I am a straight woman attracted to a trans man. Am I still straight?
Yes.

The black stripe in the asexual flag represents asexuality.

The grey stripe in the asexual flag represents graysexuality.

The white stripe in the asexual flag represents demisexuality.

The purple stripe in the asexual flag represents the importance of community and solidarity among asexual people.

The green stripes in the aromantic flag represent the aromantic spectrum.

The white stripe in the aromantic flag represents platonic relationships.

The black and grey stripes in the aromantic flag represent the sexuality spectrum.

The pink stripe in the bisexual flag represents same-gender attraction.

The purple stripe in the bisexual flag represents attraction towards two or more genders.

The blue stripe in the bisexual flag represents attraction to those who are a different gender than yourself.

The biromantic flag is similar to the bisexual flag, except it has a heart at the center.

The black triangle on demisexual flag represents the asexual community and the asexual spectrum.

The white stripe in the demisexual flag represents sexuality.

The purple stripe in the demisexual flag represents community.

The gray stripe in the demisexual flag represents gray asexuality and the gray-ace community.

The black triangle on the demiromantic flag reprsents the sexuality spectrum.

The gray stripe on the demiromantic flag represents grayaromanticism and demiromanticism.

The green stripe on the demiromrnatif flag represents demiromanticism, or the aromantic spectrum.

The white stripe on the demiromantic flag represents patonic and aesthetic attraction, queer/quasi platonic relationships, or being outside of the straight-gay and male-female binaries.

The light green stripes in the diamoric flag represent nonbinary people.

The white stripe in the diamoric flag is a reference to the sapphic and achillean flags.

The flower at the center of the diamoric flag is a purple myrtle.

The light blue stripe of the achillean flag represents masculinity and men.

The white stripe of the achillean flag represents joy.

The green carnation on the achillean flag represents achillean love.

The colors of the gay rainbow flag have the meanings as follows;
hot pink - sex,
red - life,
orange - healing,
yellow - sunlight,
green - nature,
turquoise - magic/art,
indigo - serenity,
violet - spirit.

The orange stripes in the lesbian flag represent independence and community and acknowledging the importance of chosen families and support networks.

The white stripe in the lesbian flag represents the unique and diverse relationship that lesbians have with womanhood.

The pink stripes in the lesbian flag represent love, femininity, serenity, and the diversity of lesbian expressions and experiences.

The pink stripes in the sapphic flag represent love.

The white stripe in the sapphic flag represents relationships.

The violet flower on the sapphic flag is a traditional symbol of sapphic love.

The magenta stripe in the pansexual flag represents attraction to people who identify as female.

The yellow stripe in the pansexual flag represents attraction to genders outside the traditional binary.

The blue (or cyan) stripe in the pansexual flag represents attraction to people who identify as male.

The panromantic flag is similar to the pansexual flag, except it has a heart at the center.

See also the pages for breasts, penis, and vulva.