sexual orientation

Sexual orientation (also often referred to as sexual preference or sexuality) is simply described as what combination of gender, age range, etc. one finds sexually appealing or attractive in another person. Some other examples of sexual orientations include homosexual, heterosexual.

A sexual orientation is frequently described by psychologists and medical personnel as being static, meaning someone is either heterosexual, homosexual or bisexual all his or her life.

However, empirical evidence has shown that someone's sexual orientation is frequently shades of grey as opposed to solid black or solid white. Put simply, a perfectly "straight" heterosexual man might also enjoy occasionally giving oral sex to another man, a perfectly heterosexual woman might enjoy a sexual encounter with another woman, and married men with families might harbor attractions for other men. Furthermore, these patterns may change as the person grows older.