However, everyone has the potential to become attracted to and form relationships with someone of the opposite or the same sex. Sexual orientation refers to a person's capacity for sexual feelings, emotional ties, and satisfaction. Heterosexuals are attracted to persons of the opposite sex, while bisexuals are attracted to persons of either sex. Throughout life people may engage in a variety of relationships and sexual behaviors common to people of a homosexual, heterosexual, or bisexual orientation. Regardless of sexual orientation, each person forms relationships based on several motivations, including common interests, religious beliefs, emotional compatibility, and physical attraction.
Sexual orientation is a basic part of a person's identity.
Whether this results from biological or environmental factors or both is unclear. Some researchers suggest that one's basic sexual orientation is determined before birth or very early in life. Discovering one's sexual orientation and sexual behavior may be a lifelong process. It is estimated that at least 10 percent of adults in the U.S. have engaged in same-sex sexual behavior or consider themselves to be of a homosexual orientation. They come from all ethnic groups, races, professions, geographical regions, and religious backgrounds.