Understand the continuum of sexual orientation, including heterosexuality, bisexuality, and homosexuality. Consider myths and stereotypes about lesbian, gay, and bisexual lifestyles and relationships and the history of these attitudes in our culture versus in other cultures. Describe different theoretical explanations of sexual orientation. Understand the causes and consequences of homophobia. Discussion Sexual orientation refers to whom an individual finds sexually and emotionally attractive.
Heterosexual people find cross-sex people sexually and emotionally attractive.
About 92 percent of men and 95 percent of women are exclusively heterosexual. In contrast, homosexual men and lesbian women find same-sex people sexually and emotionally attractive. Those who are bisexual find both men and women sexually and emotionally attractive. It is common for heterosexuals to emphasize the sexual aspects of gay and lesbian relationships and to forget about the emotional attachments that they share. As in committed heterosexual relationships, committed gay and lesbian couples experience emotional attachment and love in addition to sexual intimacy.