LibGuides: Gender Studies: Sexual Orientation and LGBTQ

What is Sexual Orientation?

Sexual orientation refers to your sexual and romantic thoughts, feelings, and attractions (or lack thereof) to other individuals. Who you do or do not have sex with does not determine your sexual orientation. For example a person who has never had sex (i.e. a virgin) still has a sexual orientation; if they are attracted to the opposite sex they are heterosexual, if they are attracted to the same sex they are homosexual, if they are attracted to both they would be considered bisexual or pansexual, and if they are not sexually attracted to anyone then they would be asexual. This orientation does NOT change by them having or not having sex with anyone.

Bare in mind, a person's sexual orientation is separate from their biological sex (male, female, intersexed) or what gender they or society identifies them as (man, woman, third gender or other).

What LGBTQ stands for

LGBTQ is an acronym which stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer or Questioning. This acronym is often used in the media and common speech as a blanket term to refer to all sexual and gender expression minorities even if they are not expressly mentioned in the acronym (ex: Asexuals).

Useful Websites

The Asexuality Visibility & Education Network
The Asexual Visibility and Education Network (AVEN) was founded in 2001 with two distinct goals: creating public acceptance and discussion of asexuality and facilitating the growth of an asexual community. Since that time we have grown to host the world’s largest asexual community, serving as an informational resource for people who are asexual and questioning, their friends and families, academic researchers and the press. AVEN members throughout the world regularly engage in visibility projects, included but not limited to distributing informational pamphlets, leading workshops, arranging local meetups and speaking to interested press. The AVEN community centers around the web forum, which provides a safe space for asexual and questioning people and their partners, friends and families to discuss their experiences.
Gay Straight Alliance Network
GSA clubs–originally called Gay-Straight Alliance clubs when they first established in the 1980s–are student-run organizations, typically in a high school or middle school, which provide a safe place for students to meet, support each other, and talk about issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. There are three typical functions of a GSA club: Support, Social, and Activist.
While GSA clubs have traditionally served as safe spaces for LGBTQ+ youth to build awareness and community as well as prevent discrimination and harassment in schools, they are now emerging as vehicles for deeper social change that extends beyond individual schools. Trans and queer youth are building their power through GSA organizing and connecting to state and national campaigns on a variety of issues that affect all students across the country.
Great Diverse Books For Your School, Library or Home
A simple way to let students and families know that your school welcomes everyone is to integrate books into your curriculum that reflect the diversity of your classroom and the world. Find up-to-date booklists of currently available diverse books.
International Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Queer and Intersex Youth & Student Organization
IGLYO- The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex (LGBTQI) Youth & Student Organisation is the largest LGBTQI youth and student network in the world, with over 95 members in 40+ countries.
International Lesbian, Gay, bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association
ILGA – the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association - is the world federation of national and local organisations dedicated to achieving equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI) people across the globe.
LGBTQ Scholarships and Financial Aid
An online resource for scholarships specifically for LGBTQ+ individuals
Out Alliance
We envision a future where all members of the greater Rochester LGBTQ+ communities, at all stages of their lives, are free to be fully participating citizens, celebrating their lives in which they are safe, stable and fully respected.
Pride Center of WNY
ride Center of Western New York, Inc. (PCWNY) is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization. The mission of the Pride Center is to work with the community to make Western New York a safe, healthy, and satisfying place for LGBTQ people to live, work and establish their families.

Other Useful Media

Crash Course Sociology-Sex and Sexuality
A part of the Crash Course Sociology Youtube series host Nicole Sweeney discusses the biological classifications of sex, the social construction of gender and sexuality and sexual orientation from the perspective of sociology.
LGBTQ+ Financial Guide to Becoming a Parent
LGBTQ+ Student Resources & Support
LGBTQIA+ Research
The work of medical, social, and behavioral sciences plays a key role in deepening our understanding of inequalities and current issues in the LGBTQIA+ community, while also helping to create policies, practices, and procedures to improve lives. This collection of research, videos, and books takes a look at Queer Theory, Gender Identity, Queer Justice, Hegemonic Heterosexuality, Sexual Orientation, and more.