Chapter 13: Sexual orientation: gay, straight, or bi? Flashcards
Sexual orientation
A person’s erotic and emotional orientation toward members of his or her own gender or members of the other gender.
Homosexual
A person whose sexual orientation is toward members of the same gender.
Heterosexual
A person whose sexual orientation is toward members of the other gender.
Bisexual
A person whose sexual orientation is toward both men and women.
Lesbian
A women whose sexual orientation is toward other women.
Gay
Homosexual; especially male homosexuals.
Straight
Heterosexual; that is, a person whose sexual orientation is toward members of the opposite gender.
Queer
A self-label used by some LGBs, as well as by some heterosexuals who prefer unusual sexual practices.
Heteronormativity
The belief that heterosexuality is the norm and that all people are heterosexual.
Homophobia
A strong, irrational fear of homosexuals; negative attitudes and reactions to homosexuals.
Antigay prejudice
Negative attitudes and behaviors toward gays and lesbians.
Heterosexism
Prejudice against and denigration of LGB persons.
Coming out
The process of acknowledging to oneself, and then to others, that one is gay or lesbian.
Sexual fluidity
Changes that occur over time in sexual attraction, identity, or behavior.
Sexual identity
One’s self-identity as gay, straight, lesbian, bisexual, queer or something else.
Medical model
A theoretical model in psychology and psychiatry in which mental problems are thought of as sickness or mental illness; the problems in turn are often thought to be due to biological factors.
Conversion or reparative therapy
Any one of a number of treatments designed to turn LGBs into heterosexuals.
Pansexual
People who are sexually or romantically attracted to people regardless of their gender.
