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1. The Wellness Center
2. Welcome
3. Allies
4. Religion & Homosexuality
5. Homophobia & Hetrosexism
6. Harassment
7. Sexual Orientation
8. Coming Out
9. Bringing GLBT Issues into the Classroom
10. Resources
11. Campus Climate

Sexual Orientation

What is Sexual Orientation?
Sexual orientation is one of the four components of sexuality and is distinguished by an enduring emotional, romantic, sexual, or affection attraction to individuals of a particular gender.  The three other components of sexuality are biological sex, gender identity, and social sex role.  Three sexual orientations are commonly recognized:  heterosexual (attraction to individuals of the opposite gender), homosexual (attraction to individuals of the same gender), or bisexual (attraction to individuals of both genders).  Sexual orientation is different from sexual behavior because it refers to feelings and self-concept.  Persons may or may not express their sexual orientation in their behaviors.

What causes a person to have a particular sexual orientation?
How a particular orientation develops in any individual is not well understood by scientists.  Various theories have proposed differing sources for sexual orientation, including genetic or inborn hormonal factors and life experiences during early childhood.  However, many scientists share the view that sexual orientation is shaped for most people at an early age through complex interactions of biological, psychological, and social factors.

Is it a choice?
No. Sexual orientation emerges for most people in early adolescence without any prior sexual experience.  And some people report trying very hard over many years to change their sexual orientation from homosexual to heterosexual with no success.  For these reasons, psychologists do not consider sexual orientation for most people to be a conscious choice that can be voluntarily changed.

Is homosexuality a mental illness or emotional problem?
No. Psychologists, psychiatrists, and other mental health professionals agree that homosexuality is not an illness, mental disorder, or emotional problem.  Much objective scientific research over the past 35 years shows us that homosexual orientation, in and of itself, is not associated with emotional or social problems.

Homosexuality was thought to be a mental illness in the past because mental health professionals and society had biased information on homosexuality since most studies only involved lesbians and gay men in therapy.  When researchers examined data about gay people who were not in therapy, the idea that homosexuality was a mental illness was found to be untrue.

In 1973 the America Psychiatric Association confirmed the importance of the new research by removing the term "homo-sexuality" from the official manual that lists all mental and emotional disorders.  In 1975 the American Psychological association passed a resolution supporting the action.  Since the original declassification of homosexuality as a mental disorder, additional research findings and both associations have subsequently reaffirmed this decision.

Page updated: 17-Jun-2008

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