The term “sexual identity” refers to how people perceive their sexual attraction, and can include a variety of concepts. These concepts include sexual orientation and gender dysphoria.
Understanding what each of these terms means can help you make more informed choices about your own sexuality. You can use the definition of sexual identity to identify yourself in relationships and identify your own preferences.
Gender dysphoria
Gender dysphoria is a problem with the sense of one’s sexual identity that can affect a person’s daily functioning. It can occur at any age and can affect the way an individual functions in many areas of life. It may cause an individual to feel uncomfortable or unable to function at work or school, or it can affect their family and relationships.
Demisexuality
Demisexuality is a sexual identity that is not fully defined by one’s sexual orientation. For example, a demisexual person may not feel the urge to have sex at all. Instead, they get the majority of their sexual gratification from masturbation. Likewise, a demisexual person does not experience the urge to get involved in a romantic relationship.
Cupiosexuality
Cupiosexuality is a newer sexual identity definition that describes the experience of people who do not feel sexual attraction to another person. While these people do not engage in sexual activity with a partner, they still desire sex and sexual behavior. While the term cupiosexuality is still fairly new, it is quickly becoming an important part of the burgeoning glossary of sexual identity definitions.
Varioriented
A Varioriented sexual identity is one that combines the traits of a heterosexual with those of another sex. In some cases, this can lead to uncomfortable situations, including outings. In other cases, a person may be neither heterosexual nor gay and may be bisexual or asexual.
XO
XO sexual identity definitions are not only found in humans but also in some insects and other animals. This system determines whether an offspring is male or female. Females carry two X chromosomes while males carry only one. In a female-male mating relationship, the sperm contributes to the sex of the offspring.
Spectrasexuality
Spectrasexuals are people who are attracted to people of many different genders and sex orientations. They are not necessarily pansexuals, orbisians, or trixic, though they may identify as such.
Neptunic
The Neptunic sexual identity definition includes a range of sexual orientations, including non-binary and gender-queer. As the name suggests, these individuals are attracted to women and non-masculine non-binary people. They are not attracted to men and tend to prefer women to men.
Intersex
Intersex is a term used to describe a person who does not fit into the binary gender roles. Most intersex babies are born with non-typical genitals and doctors sometimes perform surgery on them to assign a legal sex. However, legal sex is not a guarantee of a person’s gender identity.
Bisexuality
Bisexuality is a sexual identity definition that involves the attraction to both genders. While not all bisexual people are gay, some are. These people often identify as queer or gay-bisexual. While some may feel uncomfortable with the terminology, others may feel it is an appropriate way to express their identity.