Sexual identity

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{{hatnote|Not to be confused by [[Sexual orientation]] or [[Gender identity]].}}
'''Sexual identity''' refers to an individual's perception or identification of their own [[sexual orientation]] and is usually used interchangeably, though this is not necessarily correct. For example, [[Ted Haggard]], [[Larry Craig]], [[George Alan Rekers]] and many others on the [[Republican]] right have a sexual identity that is [[heterosexual]] since that's how they referred to their own orientation, even though their behavior would suggest they are as [[gay]] as Mr. Slave from ''[[South Park]]'' (or at the very least [[bisexual]]).

Past models of LGBTQ+ youths examining changes undergone in the formation of sexual identity over time see it as a process undergone only by those sexual minorities,<ref> Dillon, F. R., Worthington, R. L., & Moradi, B. (2011). Sexual identity as a universal process In S. J. Schwartz, K. Luyckx, & V. L. Vignoles (Eds), Handbook of identity theory and research (Vols 1 and 2), (pp.649-670). New York, NY: Springer Science + Business Media</ref> whereas our current understanding present sexual identity within a much larger scope along with other identity theories.<ref> Rosario M, Schrimshaw EW, Hunter J, Braun L. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3215279/ Sexual identity development among gay, lesbian, and bisexual youths: consistency and change over time.] J Sex Res. 2006;43(1):46-58. doi:10.1080/00224490609552298</ref><ref>{{wpa|Sexual_identity#Models_of_sexual_identity_development}}</ref>

In a 1990 study by the Social Organization of Sexuality, only 16% of women and 36% of men who reported some level of same-sex attraction had a homosexual or bisexual identity.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Social Organization of Sexuality: Sexual Practices in the United States|last=Laumann|first=Edward O.|year=1994|publisher=University of Chicago Press|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=72AHO0rE2HoC&q=the+social+organization+of+sexuality+1990&pg=PA4|pages=298–301|isbn=9780226470207}}</ref>

In a 2019 survey by The Trevor Project, more than 1 in 5 LGBTQ youth described themselves as something other than gay, lesbian, or bisexual.<ref>The Trevor Project. (2019). [https://www.thetrevorproject.org/2019/09/30/research-brief-diversity-of-youth-sexual-orientation/ National Survey on LGBTQ Mental Health]. New York, New York: The Trevor Project.</ref>

==List of sexual identities==
Basically, all words ending with “-sexuality.”
*[[Heterosexuality]] refers to the pattern of attraction between opposite sexes.
*[[Homosexuality]] refers to the pattern of attraction between same sexes.
*[[Bisexuality]] refers to the pattern of attraction towards both sexes.
*[[Asexuality]] refers to the pattern of attraction between... well... no one.
*[[Pansexuality]] refers to the pattern of attraction between people regardless of their [[sex]] or [[gender identity]].
*[[Polysexuality]] refers to the pattern of attraction towards many [[sexual orientation]]s but not all of them.

==See also==
*[[Sexual orientation]]
*[[Gender identity]]

==External links==
*{{wpa|Sexual identity}}
*[https://kidshelpline.com.au/teens/issues/sexual-identity Sexual Identity], Kids Helpline
*[https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/gender-identity/sex-gender-identity Sex and Gender Identity], [[Planned Parenthood]]
*[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3215279/ Sexual Identity Development among Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Youths: Consistency and Change Over Time]

==References==
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