Sexual orientation

Sexual orientation refers to the sex or gender of people who are the focus of a person's amorous or erotic desires, fantasies, and spontaneous feelings, the gender(s) toward which one is primarily "oriented". The alternative terms sexual preference and sexual inclination have similar meanings. Clinicians and those who believe sexuality is fixed early in life tend to use the former term; those believing sexuality is fluid and reflects preference and choice tend towards the latter terms.

See also

• Affectional orientation
• Ascribed characteristics (for a more general look at the morality of innate vs. non-innate characteristics)
• LGBT lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender
• Homosexuality in animals
• Sexual orientation and military service