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Three Measures of Sexual Orientation The terms heterosexual (straight), homosexual (Gay and Lesbian), and bisexual (Men and Women) are commonly used to describe a person’s sexual orientation. Sexuality is socially constructed Thus has many components adding together to define it. Frequently, individuals assume sexual orientation is a question about how they describe themselves. However, sexual orientation has to do with “erotic desires and dispositions rather than self-conscious identity or actual sexual practice.”2 Therefore, sexual orientation is not personal characteristics but defines an entire group or class of people. Sexual orientation is a new construct and a very broad term; it should be broken down into its three components as an individual can be described by their attractions and behaviors in different ways. Recently researchers have begun to break down sexual orientation into three components: Sexual Desire, Sexual Experience, and Sexual Identity.12345 The psychological component is what we are attracted too while the experience component is intimate contact with another person.1 Many different cultures use these labels as a way to identify certain groups of people.4

Sexual Desire: Sexual desire is the internal horsepower that guides us toward and away from sexual experiences. Desire is the appeal one individual may have for another, yet not have for someone else. “Sexual passion, sexual urge, and sexual feelings” are terms used to characterize the psychological component desire.1 It is beneficial to think of the term desire as biological; as we can’t change what we like.6

Sexual Experience: Sexual Experience refers to voluntary activity with another person that involves sexual arousal.7 A clear definition of behavior is difficult to generalize since people have different opinions as to what is considered sexual experience or not. Some consider it to “simply be sexual behavior or it can be described for example, as genital activity”.1 Moreover, a person is able to have a sexual experience with an individual of the opposite sex or same sex without claiming the label attached to their experiences.4 Thus, distinct components of sexual orientation are necessary.

Sexual Identity: Sexual Identity is how an individual personally identifies himself or herself.7 It is important to note those identities; the labels we have attached to us creating status; can vary over time and are not permanent.2 More often than not, sexual identity is mistaken for the term sexual orientation. As a consequence, sexual orientation is determined by an individual’s sexual identity.2 Sexual identity is normally the last acknowledged component of sexual orientation. The beginning of identity formation process starts once an individual is aware of their identity in response to their desires and experiences. All three components of sexual orientation are interchangeable with each other meaning our sexual desire for an individual may differ from our experience, our experience may differ from our identity, our identity may differ from our desire and so on. Since “a person has a particular sexual orientation/preference does not entail that she publicly identifies herself as having that particular orientation/preference or that she engages in certain sexual behaviors.”2 It is essential to indicate it does not matter how an individual chooses to identify him or herself, it is an individual’s personal choice. It is likely that individuals identify different from their desires and experiences until they are comfortable with their identity. There is not one common truth as to why an individual would keep their identity to him or herself. A common term for individuals who keep their identity private is “closeted”. Hence, when an individual begins to acknowledge their identity and disclose it, typically to those closest to the individual first, is referred to as “coming out of the closet”.5 The term could be justified as a place for hiding. “Coming out” can be a stressful time in sexual minorities lives. “Prejudice and discrimination make it difficult for many people to come to terms with their sexual orientation identities, so claiming a lesbian, gay, or bisexual identity may be a slow process.”4 A minority stress model is used to conceptualize the stress a sexual minority faces during their lifetime and especially in their coming out process. It suggests minority groups are at risk for heightened psychological problems as a direct result from the negative stigmas attached to their identity status. Sexual minorities face unique and chronic stressors that can cause a lot of emotional damage and self-esteem problems that they would not have to face with a hetero-normative status.5 These stressors are a direct result from the negative stereotypes associated with a sexual minority status. Stressors and stigmas can be presented in verbal and physical forms and can lead to violence, victimization, and discrimination. Stressors can also be internal; where the individual has incorporated societies negative stigmas within oneself. 11 It is found that LGB youth report higher rates of verbal, physical, and sexual harassment and violence11 thus, having a heightened risk of stress could influence an individuals choice to uphold their true identity or not. Individuals may choose to closet their sexual identity in order to avoid the stigma’s that are attached with “coming out of the closet”. Stigmatization is internal to societies construction of sexual orientation and sexual minorities.2 One could argue that “fixed identity categories are both the basis for oppression and the basis for political power”2 Thinking of sexual orientation or any other social status in a binary way gives those in position with power to maintain that privilege, remain on top while those facing negative stigmatization remain underneath at the bottom. Once an individual feels positive about oneself and comes to terms with their sexual desire, experience, and identity; they can disclose this information and it is suggested by doing this the individual will benefit with greater well-being and mental health.4