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AQ
 Answers to Your Questions
For a Better Understanding oF sexUalorientation & HomosexUality
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ince 1975, the American PsychologicalAssociation has called on psychologiststo take the lead in removing the stigmaof mental illness that has long been associatedwith lesbian, gay, and bisexual orientations.The discipline of psychology is concernedwith the well-being of people and groupsand therefore with threats to that well-being.The prejudice and discrimination that peoplewho identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexualregularly experience have been shown to havenegative psychological effects. This pamphletis designed to provide accurate informationfor those who want to better understandsexual orientation and the impact of prejudiceand discrimination on those who identify aslesbian, gay, or bisexual.
 Wha is sa iai?
Sexual orientation refers to an enduringpattern of emotional, romantic, and/or sexualattractions to men, women, or both sexes.Sexual orientation also refers to a person’ssense of identity based on those attractions,related behaviors, and membership ina community of others who share thoseattractions. Research over several decades hasdemonstrated that sexual orientation rangesalong a continuum, from exclusive attractionto the other sex to exclusive attraction to thesame sex. However, sexual orientation isusually discussed in terms of three categories:heterosexual (having emotional, romantic, orsexual attractions to members of the other sex),gay/lesbian (having emotional, romantic, orsexual attractions to members of one’s ownsex), and bisexual (having emotional, romantic,or sexual attractions to both men and women).This range of behaviors and attractions has been described in various cultures and nationsthroughout the world. Many cultures useidentity labels to describe people who expressthese attractions. In the United States the mostfrequent labels are
lesbians
(women attractedto women),
 gay men
(men attracted to men),and
bisexual people
(men or women attracted to both sexes). However, some people may usedifferent labels or none at all.Sexual orientation is distinct from othercomponents of sex and gender, including biological sex (the anatomical, physiological,and genetic characteristics associated with being male or female), gender identity (thepsychological sense of being male or female),* and social gender role (the cultural norms thatdene feminine and masculine behavior).Sexual orientation is commonly discussed as ifit were solely a characteristic of an individual,like biological sex, gender identity, or age.This perspective is incomplete because sexualorientation is dened in terms of relationshipswith others. People express their sexualorientation through behaviors with others,including such simple actions as holding handsor kissing. Thus, sexual orientation is closelytied to the intimate personal relationships thatmeet deeply felt needs for love, attachment,and intimacy. In addition to sexual behaviors,these bonds include nonsexual physicalaffection between partners, shared goalsand values, mutual support, and ongoingcommitment. Therefore, sexual orientation isnot merely a personal characteristic withinan individual. Rather, one’s sexual orientationdenes the group of people in which oneis likely to nd the satisfying and fulllingromantic relationships that are an essentialcomponent of personal identity formany people.
Hw  pp kw i h a sia, ga,  isa?
According to current scientic and professionalunderstanding, the core attractions that formthe basis for adult sexual orientation typicallyemerge between middle childhood and earlyadolescence. These patterns of emotional,romantic, and sexual attraction may arisewithout any prior sexual experience. Peoplecan be celibate and still know their sexualorientation-–be it lesbian, gay, bisexual, orheterosexual.Different lesbian, gay, and bisexual peoplehave very different experiences regarding theirsexual orientation. Some people know thatthey are lesbian, gay, or bisexual for a long
*
This brochure ocuses on sexual orientation. Another APA brochure,
Answers to Your Questions AboutTransgender Individuals and Gender Identity,
 addresses gender identity.
 
time before they actually pursue relationshipswith other people. Some people engage insexual activity (with same-sex and/or other-sex partners) before assigning a clear labelto their sexual orientation. Prejudice anddiscrimination make it difcult for manypeople to come to terms with their sexualorientation identities, so claiming a lesbian,gay, or bisexual identity may be a slow process.
 Wha cass a ps hav a paica saiai?
There is no consensus among scientistsabout the exact reasons that an individualdevelops a heterosexual, bisexual, gay, orlesbian orientation. Although much researchhas examined the possible genetic, hormonal,developmental, social, and cultural inuenceson sexual orientation, no ndings haveemerged that permit scientists to concludethat sexual orientation is determined by anyparticular factor or factors. Many think thatnature and nurture both play complex roles;most people experience little or no sense ofchoice about their sexual orientation.
 Wha   pjic aisciiai pa i hivs  sia, ga, aisa pp?
Lesbian, gay, and bisexual people in theUnited States encounter extensive prejudice,discrimination, and violence because of theirsexual orientation. Intense prejudice againstlesbians, gay men, and bisexual people waswidespread throughout much of the 20thcentury. Public opinion studies over the 1970s,1980s, and 1990s routinely showed that, amonglarge segments of the public, lesbian, gay, and bisexual people were the target of stronglyheld negative attitudes. More recently, publicopinion has increasingly opposed sexualorientation discrimination, but expressions ofhostility toward lesbians and gay men remaincommon in contemporary American society.Prejudice against bisexuals appears to exist atcomparable levels. In fact, bisexual individualsmay face discrimination from some lesbian andgay people as well as from heterosexual people.Sexual orientation discrimination takes manyforms. Severe antigay prejudice is reectedin the high rate of harassment and violencedirected toward lesbian, gay, and bisexualindividuals in American society. Numeroussurveys indicate that verbal harassmentand abuse are nearly universal experiencesamong lesbian, gay, and bisexual people.Also, discrimination against lesbian, gay, and bisexual people in employment and housingappears to remain widespread.The HIV/AIDS pandemic is another area inwhich prejudice and discrimination againstlesbian, gay, and bisexual people have hadnegative effects. Early in the pandemic, theassumption that HIV/AIDS was a “gaydisease” contributed to the delay in addressingthe massive social upheaval that AIDS wouldgenerate. Gay and bisexual men have beendisproportionately affected by this disease.The association of HIV/AIDS with gay and bisexual men and the inaccurate belief thatsome people held that all gay and bisexualmen were infected served to further stigmatizelesbian, gay, and bisexual people.
 Wha is h pschgicaipac  pjic aisciiai?
Prejudice and discrimination have social andpersonal impact. On the social level, prejudiceand discrimination against lesbian, gay, and bisexual people are reected in the everydaystereotypes of members of these groups.These stereotypes persist even though theyare not supported by evidence, and they areoften used to excuse unequal treatment oflesbian, gay, and bisexual people. For example,limitations on job opportunities, parenting,and relationship recognition are often justied by stereotypic assumptions about lesbian, gay,and bisexual people.On an individual level, such prejudice anddiscrimination may also have negativeconsequences, especially if lesbian, gay, and bisexual people attempt to conceal or denytheir sexual orientation. Although manylesbians and gay men learn to cope with thesocial stigma against homosexuality, thispattern of prejudice can have serious negativeeffects on health and well-being. Individualsand groups may have the impact of stigmareduced or worsened by other characteristics,such as race, ethnicity, religion, or disability.Some lesbian, gay, and bisexual people mayface less of a stigma. For others, race, sex,religion, disability, or other characteristics mayexacerbate the negative impact of prejudiceand discrimination.The widespread prejudice, discrimination, andviolence to which lesbians and gay men areoften subjected are signicant mental healthconcerns. Sexual prejudice, sexual orientationdiscrimination, and antigay violence are major
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sources of stress for lesbian, gay, and bisexualpeople. Although social support is crucial in copingwith stress, antigay attitudes and discriminationmay make it difcult for lesbian, gay, and bisexualpeople to nd such support.
Is hsai a ais?
No, lesbian, gay, and bisexual orientations arenot disorders. Research has found no inherentassociation between any of these sexual orientationsand psychopathology. Both heterosexual behaviorand homosexual behavior are normal aspects ofhuman sexuality. Both have been documentedin many different cultures and historical eras.Despite the persistence of stereotypes that portraylesbian, gay, and bisexual people as disturbed,several decades of research and clinical experiencehave led all mainstream medical and mentalhealth organizations in this country to concludethat these orientations represent normal formsof human experience. Lesbian, gay, and bisexualrelationships are normal forms of human bonding.Therefore, these mainstream organizations long agoabandoned classications of homosexuality as amental disorder.
 Wha a hap i chag sa iai ga  saigh?
All major national mental health organizationshave ofcially expressed concerns about therapiespromoted to modify sexual orientation. Todate, there has been no scientically adequateresearch to show that therapy aimed at changingsexual orientation (sometimes called reparativeor conversion therapy) is safe or effective.Furthermore, it seems likely that the promotionof change therapies reinforces stereotypes andcontributes to a negative climate for lesbian, gay,and bisexual persons. This appears to be especiallylikely for lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals whogrow up in more conservative religious settings.Helpful responses of a therapist treating anindividual who is troubled about her or his same-sex attractions include helping that person activelycope with social prejudices against homosexuality,successfully resolve issues associated with andresulting from internal conicts, and activelylead a happy and satisfying life. Mental healthprofessional organizations call on their membersto respect a person’s (client’s) right to self-determination; be sensitive to the client’s race,culture, ethnicity, age, gender, gender identity,sexual orientation, religion, socioeconomic status,language, and disability status when workingwith that client; and eliminate biases based onthese factors.
 Wha is “cig ” a wh is i ipa?
The phrase “coming out” is used to refer to severalaspects of lesbian, gay, and bisexual persons’experiences: self-awareness of same-sex attractions;the telling of one or a few people about theseattractions; widespread disclosure of same-sexattractions; and identication with the lesbian, gay,and bisexual community. Many people hesitate tocome out because of the risks of meeting prejudiceand discrimination. Some choose to keep theiridentity a secret; some choose to come out inlimited circumstances; some decide to come out invery public ways.Coming out is often an important psychologicalstep for lesbian, gay, and bisexual people. Researchhas shown that feeling positively about one’ssexual orientation and integrating it into one’slife fosters greater well-being and mental health.This integration often involves disclosing one’sidentity to others; it may also entail participatingin the gay community. Being able to discuss one’ssexual orientation with others also increases theavailability of social support, which is crucial tomental health and psychological well-being.Like heterosexuals, lesbians, gay men, and bisexualpeople benet from being able to share their liveswith and receive support from family, friends,and acquaintances. Thus, it is not surprising thatlesbians and gay men who feel they must concealtheir sexual orientation report more frequentmental health concerns than do lesbians and gaymen who are more open; they may even have morephysical health problems.
 Wha a sa iaia cig  igascc?
Adolescence is a period when people separatefrom their parents and families and begin todevelop autonomy. Adolescence can be a periodof experimentation, and many youths mayquestion their sexual feelings. Becoming aware ofsexual feelings is a normal developmental task ofadolescence. Sometimes adolescents have same-sexfeelings or experiences that cause confusion abouttheir sexual orientation. This confusion appearsto decline over time, with different outcomes fordifferent individuals.Some adolescents desire and engage in same-sex behavior but do not identify as lesbian, gay,or bisexual, sometimes because of the stigmaassociated with a nonheterosexual orientation.Some adolescents experience continuing feelingsof same-sex attraction but do not engage in anysexual activity or may engage in heterosexual behavior for varying lengths of time. Because of the
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