Gender identity is your inner sense of being male, female, both, neither, or some other gender. These early experiences do not always mean that a teen will be gay, lesbian, bisexual or pansexual as an adult.įor some teens though, attractions to people of the same gender do not fade. Many people first become aware of their sexual orientation during the preteen and teen years.ĭuring the teen years, crushes on people of the same gender and sexual experiments are common. This is different from deciding not to have sex with anyone (abstinence or celibacy).
Asexual-describes someone not sexually attracted to any gender.Pansexual (or omnisexual)-describes a person attracted to those of any gender.Bisexual-describes a person attracted to both men and women, though not necessarily equally or at the same time.Homosexual (gay, lesbian, queer)-describes a person attracted only or almost only to those of the same gender.Heterosexual (straight)-describes a person who is attracted only or almost only to the 'other' gender.Sexual orientation is how you are attracted romantically and sexually to other people. Hormones, cultural and peer pressures, and fear of being different can cause many teens to question themselves in many areas, including their sexual orientation and gender identity. Teens want an answer to the eternal question, 'Who am I?' Part of the answer lies in their sexual self.
