As explained below, the distinction between sexual conduct and the status of sexual orientation tends to be interpreted differently for heterosexuals and homosexuals. Sexual Orientation First, it is useful to consider broadly the concept of sexual orientation . Although heterosexual and homosexual behaviors alike have been common throughout human history, the ways in which cultures have made sense of these behaviors and the rules governing them have varied widely. The categories of homosexual, heterosexual, and bisexual are collectively described by the umbrella term, sexual orientation . Sexual orientation is commonly used in Western industrialized societies to refer to an enduring affectional, erotic, or romantic attraction to individuals of a particular gender.
Most discussions treat sexual orientation as a dichotomy between heterosexual and homosexual.
Reliance on the dichotomized construct of sexual orientation represents a particular way of understanding sexuality. It focuses on the individual rather than the behavior. Although the construct of sexual orientation is often discussed exclusively in terms of sexual feelings and conduct, it encompasses other aspects of human experience as well. Sexual attraction and expression are important components of romantic relationships. Consequently, sexual orientation is integrally linked to the close bonds that humans form with others to meet their personal needs for love, attachment, and intimacy.