A person’s sexual and emotional attraction to another person and the behavior and/or social affiliation that may result from this attraction. Some examples of sexual orientation are lesbian, gay, heterosexual, straight, asexual, bisexual, queer, polysexual, and pansexual.
Inclination toward or preference for sexual activity with members of one’s own sex (homosexual orientation), the opposite sex (heterosexual orientation), or both (bisexual orientation). Three components of sexual orientation are attraction, behavior, and identity. Attraction may be to partners of the same or opposite sex or, rarely, to partners of both sexes. Behavior refers to sexual activities with partners of the same or opposite sex. Identity refers to one’s view of oneself as heterosexual (primarily attracted to opposite-sex partners), homosexual (primarily attracted to same-sex partners), or bisexual (equally attracted to partners of both sexes).
Social workers recognize that sexual orientation is an integral part of a person's identity and is shaped by a combination of biological, psychological, social, and cultural factors. It is important for social workers to approach clients with an understanding of the diversity of sexual orientations, considering the impact of societal stigma, discrimination, and internalized oppression on mental health and well-being. Additionally, social workers are committed to advocating for the rights and dignity of individuals regardless of their sexual orientation, ensuring that clients have access to inclusive and affirming services that respect their lived experiences and identities.
Additional Resources:
“Who’s on Top?” (narrated by George Takei) is the emotional story of members of the LGBTQ community who challenge stereotypes about gender and sexuality and demonstrate their diverse journeys in overcoming physical and figurative mountains.
What's an asexual? That this is still a question is the inspiration for Yasmin Benoit's powerful talk. In a world where LGBTQIA acceptance is increasing, asexuals are regularly left off the acronym, out of discussion, and off of media.
The design of this page was partly adapted from Research: By Course, Subject, or Topic, by University of Arizona Libraries, © 2020 The Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of The University of Arizona, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
