Sexual orientation can be conceptualized first by the degree to which a person feels sexual and emotional attraction some parallel terms are “sexual,” “demisexual” (or “gray-asexual” or “gray-A”), and “asexual” (see The Asexual Visibility & Education Network, n.d.). Use the term “sexual orientation” rather than “sexual preference,” “sexual identity,” or “sexual orientation identity.” All people choose their partners regardless of their sexual orientation however, the orientation itself is not a choice. Sexual orientation is a part of individual identity that includes “a person’s sexual and emotional attraction to another person and the behavior and/or social affiliation that may result from this attraction” (APA, 2015a, p.
Here we provide guidelines for talking about sexual orientation with inclusivity and respect. When you are writing, you need to follow general principles to ensure that your language is free of bias.
