Sexual Scripts
Guideline for how we are supposed to feel and act as sexual persons
Sexual Self-Schemas
Subjective understanding learned by assimilating, rejecting, and ultimately negotiating the sexual scripts available to us
Sexual Identity
One aspect of sexual self-schemas that can be defined as a person's attraction to, or preference for, people of a certain gender
Heterosexuality
A sexual identity where romantic and/or sexual attachments are between people of the "opposite sex
Homosexuality
A sexual identity where romantic and/or attachments are between people of the "same sex
Gay
Term mainly used to describe homosexual men but can also describe homosexual women
Lesbian
The romantic and/or sexual attachment and identification between women, specifically
Bisexuality
Sexual identification with both women and men
Polysexual
The attraction to multiple genders and sexual identities, is used intentionally to disrupt the binary implied with "woman" or "man
Polyamory
The desire to be intimately involved with more than one person at once - practice, desire, or acceptance of having more than one intimate relationship at a time with the knowledge and consent of everyone involved
Queer
Traditionally meaning out of the ordinary or unusual, and historically an insult when used in the context of sexuality, has in recent times taken on new meaning
Asexuality
A person who does not experience desire and attraction to others
Coming Out
Refers to someone adopting a gay, lesbian, bisexual, or queer identity
Compulsory Heterosexuality
The expectation that everyone should be heterosexual - a central component of the regulation of sexual scripts world wide
Heteronormativity
The assumption of heterosexuality as the norm or normative behavior in any given setting that regulates at the level of social policy
Politics
Implies issues associated with the distribution of power in sexual relationships. Occur in the context of a society that assigns power based on gender and other systems of inequality and privilege
Heteropatriarchy
The dominance associated with a gender binary system that presumes heterosexuality as a social norm
Romantic Love
A couple coming together, sharing the excitement of an erotic relationship, and feeling united with the other in such a way that the object of their love is unique and irreplaceable
Instrumental
Sex for its own sake
Expressive
Sex involving emotional attachments
Emotional Intimacy
Sharing aspects of the self with others with the goal of mutual understanding
Homoeroticism
Arousal of sexual feelings through contact with people of the same sex
Courtship
Period when two people are attached to each other, develop intimacy, enjoy each other's company, and identify as a couple
Human Sexuality
Involves erotic attractions, identity, and practices, and is constructed by and through societal sexual scripts