Is gay and lesbian the same thing

Adolescence is the dawn of sexual attraction. It happens due to the hormonal changes of puberty. These changes involve both the body and the mind — so just thinking about someone attractive can cause physical arousal.

These new feelings can be intense, confusing, sometimes even overwhelming. Teens are origin to discover what it means to be attracted romantically and physically to others. And recognizing one's sexual orientation is part of that process.

What Is Sexual Orientation?

The term sexual orientation refers to the gender (that is, male or female) to which a person is attracted. There are several types of sexual orientation that are commonly described:

• Heterosexual (straight). People who are heterosexual are romantically and physically attracted to members of the opposite sex: males are attracted to females, and females are attracted to males. Heterosexuals are often called "straight."
• Homosexual (gay or lesbian). People who are homosexual are romantically and physically attracted to people of the matching sex: females are attracted to other females; males are attracted to other males. Homosexuals (whether male or female) are often called "gay.
  
  

  Glossary of Terms: LGBTQ

  Definitions were drafted in collaboration with other U.S.-based LGBTQ society organizations and leaders. See acknowledgements section.

  Additional terms and definitions about gender identity and gender expression, transgender people, and nonbinary people are available in the Transgender Glossary. 

  Are we missing a term or is a definition outdated? Email press@glaad.org

  *NOTE:  Question people what terms they use to describe their sexual orientation, gender self and gender utterance before assigning them a label. Outside of acronyms, these terms should only be capitalized when used at the beginning of a sentence.
   

  LGBTQ
  Acronym for lesbian, lgbtq+, bisexual, transgender, and queer. The Q generally stands for queer when LGBTQ organizations, leaders, and media use the acronym. In settings offering support for youth, it can also stand for questioning. LGBT and LGBTQ+ are also used, with the + added in recognition of all non-straight, non-cisgender identities. (See Transgender Glossary ) Both are acceptable, as are other versions of this acronym. The term “gay community” should be avoided, as it does not accuratel

  LGBTQIA Resource Center Glossary

  GLOSSARY

  The terms and definitions below are always evolving, transforming and often mean other things to different people. They are provided below as a starting signal for discussion and empathetic. This Glossary has been collectively built and created by the staff members of the LGBTQIA Resource Center since the in advance 2000s.

  These are not universal definitions. This glossary is provided to help present others a more thorough but not entirely comprehensive understanding of the significance of these terms. You may even consider asking someone what they denote when they use a term, especially when they use it to portray their identity. Ultimately it is most important that each individual define themselves for themselves and therefore also define a phrase for themselves.

   

  “If I didn't define myself for myself, I would be crunched into other people's fantasies for me and eaten alive.” -Audre Lorde

  This glossary contains terms, such as ableism and disability, that may not be considered directly related to identities of sexuality or gender. These terms are key to acknowledge as part of our mission to challenge all forms of oppress

  The human rights of woman-loving woman, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender non-conforming, 2-spirit and intersex persons

  Canada stands up for the protection and promotion of the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, gender diverse, queer, 2-spirit and intersex (LGBTQ2I) people globally.

  The human rights of all persons are universal and indivisible. Everyone should enjoy the same fundamental human rights, regardless of their sexual orientation and their gender identity and expression.

  Article 1 of the Universal Statement of Human Rights declares that “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” Article 2 declares, “Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration.” All people, including LGBTQ2I individuals, are entitled to enjoy the protection provided by international human rights law, which is based on equality and non-discrimination.

  Nearly 30 countries, including Canada, recognize homosexual marriage. By contrast, more than 70 countries still criminalize consensual same-sex behavior. This includes 6 countries that effectively impose the death penalty on consensual same-sex sexual acts. In 6 other countries, the death penalt

  

  Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Definitions

  Sexual orientation

  An essential or immutable enduring emotional, romantic or sexual attraction to other people. Note: an individual’s sexual orientation is independent of their gender identity.

  Gender identity

  One's innermost concept of self as male, female, a blend of both or neither – how individuals perceive themselves and what they summon themselves. One's gender identity can be the same or different from their sex assigned at birth.

  Gender expression

  External appearance of one's gender identity, usually expressed through behavior, clothing, body characteristics or voice, and which may or may not conform to socially defined behaviors and characteristics typically associated with creature either masculine or feminine.

  Transgender

  An umbrella phrase for people whose gender identity and/or expression is unlike from cultural expectations based on the sex they were assigned at birth. Being transgender does not imply any specific sexual orientation. Therefore, transgender people may identify as straight, gay, dyke, bisexual, etc.

  Gender transition

  The process by which some people struggle to more closely align their intern