Health Journalism Glossary

Sexual orientation

  • Health Equity

Sometimes confused with gender identity, sexual orientation refers to one’s attraction to other people based on their sex. Heterosexuals are those attracted to someone of the opposite sex. Homosexuals are attracted to someone of the same biological sex, although the term has fallen out of favor – gay or lesbian is the one now used by the AP Stylebook, although it is still used in some medical terminology. Bisexuals are those attracted to both male and females.

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