sexual orientation
persons erotic and emotional orientation toward members of his or her own gender or members of the other gender
homosexual
person whose sexual orientation is toward members of the same gender
heterosexual
person whose sexual orientation is toward members of the other gender
bisexual
person whose sexual orientation is toward both men and women
lesbian
woman whose sexual orientation is toward other women
gay
homosexual; especially male homosexuals
straight
heterosexual; a person whose sexual orientation is toward members of the opposite gender
queer
self-label used by some LGBs, as well as by some heterosexuals who prefer unusual sexual practices
heteronormativity
belief that heterosexuality is the norm
homophobia
strong, irrational fear of homosexuals; negative attitudes and reactions to homosexuals
antigay prejudice
negative attitudes and behaviors towards gays and lesbians
heterosexism
belief that every one is heterosexual and that heterosexuality is the norm; homosexuality is denigrated
covert homosexual
homosexual who is "in the closet", who keeps his or her sexual orientation a secret
overt homosexual
homosexual who is "out of the closet", who is open about his or her sexual orientation
coming out
process of acknowledging to oneself, and then to others, that one is gay or lesbian
sexual fluidity
changes that occur over time in sexual attraction, identity, or behavior
gay baths
clubs were gay men can socialize; features include a swimming pool or whirlpool and access to casual sex
sexual identity
ones self identity as homosexual, heterosexual, bisexual, queer, or something else
medical model
theoretical model in psychology and psychiatry in which mental problems are thought of as sickness or mental illness; the problems in turn are often thought to be due to biological factors
conversion or reparative therapy
any one of a number of treatments designed to turn LGBs into heterosexuals
deprivation homosexuality
homosexual activity that occurs in certain situations, such as prisons, when people are deprives of their regular heterosexual activity