This includes fantasies, conscious attractions, emotional and romantic feelings, and sexual behaviors. Sexual behavior simply refers to what you've done sexually — someone can be lesbian, gay, bisexual or straight regardless of their sexual behavior.
Harassment for sexual orientation is something everyone should work to end, so add your voice to the fight. Your sexual orientation and your partner's gender doesn't change your risk of getting a sexually transmitted infection STIs. Only your sexual behaviors and how you protect yourself affects your risk.
Whatever your partner's gender, you can take steps to protect yourself. We use cookies to give you the best possible user experience. By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences. Error was Detected. Your browser doesn't support JavaScript code, or you have disabled JavaScript.
Choose location Choose Location. Sign in or Enroll Enter a search term:. As adolescents and young adults, they are happier and more satisfied with their lives than previous generations. They express liberal, progressive attitudes toward religion and race relations, social policies and sexuality. How do these values and practices play out in the future?
Well, if we are prepared to accept mostly straight as a fourth sexual identity, we gain an increasingly nuanced understanding of sexual orientation — and its close cousin, romantic orientation. Correction : The original version of this story misstated the title of the book from which it was adapted. Contact us at letters time. Daniel Grizelj—Getty Images. By Ritch C. Harvard University Press.
TIME Ideas hosts the world's leading voices, providing commentary on events in news, society, and culture. We welcome outside contributions. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of TIME editors.
This could help you understand the terms better. Sexuality is fluid. Orientation is fluid. Many people identify as one orientation for their entire life, while others find it changes over time. Others feel their sexuality and orientation changes over time.
Remember what we said about orientation being fluid? What is important is that we accept others as they are, and ourselves as we are. Most sex education in schools focuses solely on heterosexual and cisgender that is, not transgender , gender nonconforming, or nonbinary people. They can transfer to and from an anus, penis, vagina, and mouth. STIs can even spread through unwashed sex toys and hands. It can happen whenever two fertile people have penis-in-vagina sex. Still have questions?
Check out our guide to safer sex. Telling people can be great, but keeping it private can be great, too. It all depends on your personal situation. On the one hand, telling people might help you feel better. Many queer people feel relief and a sense of freedom once they come out. For example, some girls date boys in high school, then find later on that they are more attracted, romantically and sexually, to members of their own gender.
Sexual orientation and gender identity are not the same thing. Here are some definitions of words and phrases you may hear. Many people first become aware of their orientation during the preteen and teen years. For example, it's common to experience one's first romantic feelings in early puberty, by having a crush on someone at school.
During the teen years, "crushes" on someone of the same gender are common. Some teens may experiment sexually with someone of their own gender. These early experiences don't necessarily mean a teen will be attracted to the same gender as an adult. For some teens, attractions to someone of the same gender do not fade. They grow stronger. Whatever your orientation or gender identity, it's important to realize that there are lots of people like you. Many of them may have the same emotions and questions that you have.
It can be comforting and helpful to talk to people who know what you're going through. You can find these people through local or online groups. If you don't know where to find support, check with:. Stress is a fact of life. Most of us have periods of stress at various times in our lives. But extra stress can have a serious effect on your health, especially if it lasts for a long time. If you are not heterosexual, you may be under a lot of extra stress because of discrimination in the community.
Constant stress can be linked to headaches, an upset stomach, back pain, and trouble sleeping. It can weaken your immune system, so that you have a harder time fighting off disease.
If you already have a health problem, stress may make it worse. It can make you moody, tense, or depressed.
0コメント