fundamental kinds of intimate orientations & Gender identification

We have been a faith that is welcoming. Unitarian Universalism does not simply start its doorways to individuals of all sexual orientations and gender identities—we value variety of sex and gender to check out this variety being a profound gift that is spiritual.

“Discovering The Right Words”

http://adult-friend-finder.org

Language about sexual orientation and sex identification changes and modifications: new terms are created; other words alter definitions. Learning just exactly how each person utilize language to generate meaning is important, as is utilizing language that is inclusive. In discussion with several people and communities, we’ve developed some working definitions. Do not stop with your definitions, though–see the base of this site for next actions to deepn your understanding.

Fundamental Definitions

Intimate Orientation

We affirm the inherent worth and dignity each and every individual. Intimate orientation is really a main section of whom we are—being real to ourselves and honoring each other’s facts are an imperative that is spiritual.

Intimate orientation defines the pattern of a person’s attractions that are sexual on sex. Intimate attraction and intimate attraction are frequently lumped together just as if they truly are the same. That’s not constantly the way it is. Affectional orientation defines the pattern of a person’s attraction that is romantic or perhaps the sex of those an individual falls in deep love with or wants to mate with.

You will find three fundamental kinds of intimate orientations: Monosexual, polysexual, and asexual.

Same-Sex Orientation

Many people are exclusively drawn to people in just one gender. Intimate orientation labels employed by folks of the same intercourse include:

Gay: generally relates to a guy who’s interested in guys. Often relates to all folks who are interested in folks of the sex that is same often “homosexual” is employed because of this additionally, even though this label sometimes appears by numerous today as a medical term that needs to be resigned from typical use.
Lesbian: a female that is interested in females. Often additionally or alternatively “same gender-loving woman” or “woman loving girl.”
Directly: a guy that is solely drawn to females or a female that is solely interested in males; additionally often generally speaking utilized to individuals whoever sexualities are societally normative. Alternatively described as “heterosexual.”

Polysexual Orientation

Many people are drawn to people in numerous genders. Intimate orientation labels employed by polysexual individuals consist of:

Bisexual: drawn to individuals of a person’s very very very own sex and individuals of other gender(s). Also known as “bi.” See Bisexuality 101 for more information.
Pansexual: drawn to individuals aside from sex. Sometimes additionally or alternatively “omnisexual.”
Queer: much like pansexual, queer may be an identity label and thus an individual is interested in folks of numerous genders; nevertheless, queer is a multi-faceted term with one or more meaning and employ, and it is regarded as unpleasant by many people. See Queer 101 for more information.

Asexual Orientation

Some individuals usually do not experience intimate attraction. Many people this pertains to determine as asexual.

Asexual: perhaps perhaps not intimately interested in anyone and/or maybe maybe perhaps not functioning on attraction to anybody. Will not suggest sexless. Asexual people often do experience affectional (romantic) attraction.See Asexuality 101 for more information.

Aside from the above, many people don’t like and don’t use labels. Other individuals identify as Questioning: a phrase utilized to describe an individual who is uncertain of or checking out their intimate orientation and/or sex identification.

Gender Identity and Expression

We affirm each person’s ability to evaluate on their own who they really are and go to town in the manner that is many authentic for their heart. We honor the diversity of truths that exists inside our communities.

Gender is multi-faceted and complex. In North culture that is american distinct issues with ourselves have lumped together whenever we talk about “gender”:

Biological Intercourse: characteristics such as for example physiology, chromosomes, and hormones this is certainly frequently assigned at inform and birth whether an individual is male, feminine, or intersex.
Gender identification: An individual’s sense that is internal of a guy, a lady, neither of the, both, and so on—it is one’s internal sense of being and one’s own comprehension of how one pertains to the sex binary. Except for agender people, whom usually don’t have a sense that is internal of, a lot of people have sex identification.
Gender Expression: the real ways that an individual manifests masculinity, femininity, both, or neither through look, behavior, gown, message patterns, choices, and much more.

The social expectation is the fact that one’s biological sex, sex identity, and sex phrase will align in stereotypical means: that an individual who is male will identify being a boy/man and now have a masculine sex phrase, as an example. This expectation will not provide our diverse globe while the wide variety experiences of self which exist.

For lots more definitions about sex identification and phrase, see Transgender 101. We also provide resources for Queer and Trans Youth.

Going Deeper

Definitions can’t ever encompass whom we have been as complete people. The religious invite is to cross divides of distinction and just simply simply take dangers by authentically deciding to become familiar with each other. Labels may be tools of liberation or oppression—it’s all in just just how we utilize them. Therefore never stop with just definitions that are learning. Listed here are three steps that are next certainly deepening your understanding.

Explore your sense that is own of: exactly just What perform some definitions above talk about for you personally? exactly just What language can you used to explain your sense that is own of?
Speak with people you trust about intimate gender and orientation identity. Question them respectfully what exactly is real for them and speak about things that confuse you or that you’re interested in.
Develop relationships with individuals who possess various intimate orientations and sex identities from your. Be respectful of every person’s right to privacy by asking open-ended concerns to find out about how they feel the globe.