There are heterosexuals who do not become sexually active until they are married, andthere are lesbians and bisexuals and gay men who do not become sexually active until they are in long-term committed relationships. There are also people of all sexual orientations who are never sexually active, such as those who take vows of celibacy in religious orders. That is why it is not appropriate to define sexual orientation solely in terms of sexual behavior. If we extend this definition, then heterosexuals are those for whom fantasies, attachments, and longings are predominantly for persons of the opposite gender, and bisexuals are those with fantasies, attachments and longings for persons of both genders. Notice that this definition distinguishes between orientation and identity.
Orientation refers to definitions applied to others for scientific and scholarly purposes.
Personal identity refers to what we call ourselves, to the identity we each have as a gay, lesbian, bisexual, or heterosexual person. Mental health issues of gay and lesbian adolescents. Sexual orientation, sexual identity, and the question of choice. Inc. All rights reserved.