Some Terms
Find a Conversation
Some Terms
| Tue, 09-15-2009 - 9:26pm |
I see a lot of people use the terms "sexual orientation" interchangeably with "sexual identity." I have always believed that while sexual orientation refers to what gender(s) one is attracted to, "sexual identity" would refer to things like "bdsm'er" or "rubber lover" or "chaste but sensual" or something like that. Not about who you are attracted to but about what you like to do.
Thoughts?
Signatures On
| Tue, 09-15-2009 - 11:09pm |
For me, I've used "sexual orientation" to mean whether or not you were straight, bi or gay. I've used "sexual identity" to mean whether or not you were male, female, transgendered, or intersexed. Others may use the terms differently.
Sisterhoney61, CL of Pagan Paths
| Wed, 09-16-2009 - 9:15am |
Would say I'm with sisterhoney on this one
| Wed, 09-16-2009 - 10:38am |
For me, it's similar to what sisterhoney said. Sexual orientation is whether you're bi, straight, gay, etc. I consider sexual identity to be what gender a person identifies with psychologically. For most people, it would correspond with their biological sex unless they're an hemaphrodite or have gender-identity disorder.
| Wed, 09-16-2009 - 5:38pm |
What the 3 of you call sexual identity I call gender identity. Same concept, different label, is all. Gender identity was the term that was used when I was in college and first learned about hermaphrodites and other intersex phenomena.
Memeber Support
Visit our Member Support area or browse the iVillage Help forum
| Q: | Where can I change my password? |
| A: | Log in, go to Edit My Preferences, and click the Account tab. Make and save your changes. |