Monday, February 11, 2013

Terminology -Part 3

Welcome back.

This blog will be the second half of my list of some of the terms most commonly used around sexuality, and the third in my "Terminology" series. For the list of the first half of my list of terms, please read my previous blog post.


Polysexual- (used to define orientation, identity, attraction and behavior)  the sexual orientation of those attracted to multipe sexes; a sexual identity used by those attracted to multiple sexes; attraction to multiple sexes; can be used as an adjective to describe sexual behavior of an individual with others of multiple sexes; those of a polysexual orientation may also be bisexual or pansexual.

Queer- (used to define identity) historically used as a derogatory term or slur for sexual minorities; more recently, queer is becoming accepted as a positive umbrella term for sexual minorites; often used interchangeably with LGBT.

Straight- (used to define identity and behavior) a sexual identity used by those attracted to the opposite sex; also used as an adjective to describe sexual activity between individuals of the opposite sex; not all individuals that are attracted to the opposite sex identify as straight (some identify as bisexual or do not take on a sexual identity); the term straight is frequently used to describe a sexual orientation, though the correct term for the orientation is heterosexual.

Same Gender Attracted- (used to define identity and attraction) an identity used by those attracted to the same gender, usually as an alternative to the identities gay, lesbian or bisexual (though not all those attracted to the same gender identify as same gender attracted); used as an adjective to describe those attracted to the same gender (regardless of whether the individual identifies as such); often shortened to the acronym SGA; often used interchangeably with the term same sex attracted, though the term technically is different as gender is a social construct that may or may not match an individual's biological sex.

Same Gender Attraction- (used to define attraction) attraction to the same gender (for example, the attraction of those that are male to those that are male, and those that are female to those that are female); often shortened to the acronym SGA; often used interchangeably with the term same sex attraction, although the term technically is different as gender is a social construct that may or may not match an individual's biological sex.

Same Sex Attracted- (used to define identity and attraction) an identity used by those attracted to the same sex, usually as an alternative to the identities gay, lesbian or bisexual (though not all those attracted to the same sex identify as same sex attracted); used as an adjective to describe those attracted to the same sex (regardless of whether the individual identifies as such); often shortened to the acronym SSA; often used interchangeably with the term same gender attracted, though the term technically is different as gender is a social construct that may or may not match an individual's biological sex.

Same Sex Attraction- (used to define attraction) attraction to the same sex (for example, the attraction of those that are male to those that are male, and those that are female to those that are female); often shortened to the acronym SSA; often used interchangeably with the term same gender attraction, although the term technically is different as gender is a social construct that may or may not match an individual's biological sex.

Sexual Minority- (used to define orientation, identity and behavior) used as a grouping of sexual orientations, identities or behaviors that differ from those of the majority of surrounding society (typically any orientation, identity or behavior that is not heterosexual or straight); used as an umbrella term to include all individuals whose sexual orientation, identity, or behavior is different than that of the majority of society.

SGA- (used to define identity and attraction) an acronym for same gender attraction or same gender attracted; often used interchangeably with the acronym SSA, though they are technically different as gender is a social construct that may or may not match an individual's biological sex.

SSA- (used to define identity and attraction) an acronym for same sex attraction or same sex attracted; often used interchangeably with the acronym SGA, though they are technically different as gender is a social construct that may or may not match an individual's biological sex.

Transgender- (used to define identity) the identity of individuals who do not identify with the gender of their biological sex; may also be used as an adjective to describe such individuals regardless of whether they identify as such; often used interchangeably with the term transsexual, though there are differences, and individuals may prefer one term over the other.

Transsexual- (used to define identity) the identity of individuals who do not identify with the gender of their biological sex; may also be used as an adjective to describe such individuals regardless of whether they identify as such; often used interchangeably with the term transgender, though there are differences, and individuals may prefer one term over the other.

One more disclaimer about these definitions: These definitions are by no means authoritative or exhaustive. They are my own, and as such, represent my understanding of each of the terms used.

Thanks for reading.



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