Do you believe they are two different things? What's the difference? What's YOUR orientation and identity?
To me, sexual orientation relates to your exact sexuality (lesbian, gay, bi, straight, etc) Sexual identity is what u identify as WITHIN your orientation, otherwise known as labels: (femme, butch, stud, bottom/top, etc.) Are my assumptions correct? I'd love to hear others views on this.
2007-07-11 09:53:59 · 11 answers · asked by Raynebow_Diva 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
Judging by your question, you may be confusing the term "sexual identity" with "gender identity."
Gender identity involves how a person - male or female - relates to the arch-typical masculine and feminine roles of his or her culture and has nothing to do with sexual orientation. There are female-centered and male-centered women and men of all sexual orientations. Think about the sex of the people you most like to be around in a non-sexual way. For example, are more of your friends men or women? The answer may help you figure out your gender identity, although that's a very basic example and a lot more goes into it than that. I suppose one could apply the labels you list to people, although a lot of people make take offense to the language.
Sexual orientation is, as you stated, directly related to one's sexual preference.
If this really interests you, you may want to consider taking gender studies classes at a university. It can be a fascinating subject to study.
Good luck!
And by the way, to answer your question, I am gay and I feel that my gender identity is mostly feminine. However, I'm decidedly not "femme" or a "bottom."
2007-07-11 10:23:15 · answer #1 · answered by Jim D 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
that's interesting. To me, sexual orientation was always a more exacting science. The percetage of the population you're attracted to (ie: 75% women 35% men etc. etc...) and your sexual identity would be your political or social choice of identification. Say, a woman with the sexual orientation described above would choose to call herself a lesbian because she chooses to allign herself with the political action of a full lesbian and fight for the rights a person would if they are only attracted to women.
but that's my interpretation, and I've never actually discussed this with anyone.
2007-07-12 04:06:04 · answer #2 · answered by sweetfix 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've never heard of sexual identity cause I wouldn't identify my whole life with my sexuality. Identity implies the individual as a whole. Preference is a different story altogether.
2016-04-01 09:40:29 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with you on your point of sexual orientation, but disagree with your idea of sexual identity. I believe sexual identity is in fact the role you act/are during sex. you can be the dominant or the submissive. You can be the "man" in a girl on girl affair, and you can be the "woman" in a man on man sex act.
These are just my opinion and not stated as fact.
2007-07-11 10:05:27 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The standard definition for sexual identity is whether one feels they are male or female. Sexual orientation is what sex one is attracted to. I believe there are varying degrees of sexual identity. The label you mentioned are more labels for roles played by people.
2007-07-11 10:00:45 · answer #5 · answered by Johanna 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I would say that your identity is what you say you are in public, and your orientation is what you think about when nobody's watching. I've met a lot of people with bisexual histories but gay or straight identities.
2007-07-11 09:59:01 · answer #6 · answered by GreenEyedLilo 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I hate that people make such a big deal over hating labels. Suck it up and get over it, if someone asks what you are, TELL THEM. It's not a big deal to say "I'm butch" or "I'm straight". If someone is trying to identify an aspect of you and your personality, it NEEDS a label.
Anyway, I'm gay and mostly femme.
2007-07-11 10:25:44 · answer #7 · answered by Sara H 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, they are different things.
Sexual identity is whether you are male or female;
Sexual orientation is whether you are straight or gay (or bi, or asexual).
2007-07-11 10:04:31 · answer #8 · answered by ? 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I think you are pretty correct in your assumptions.
as for me:
Orientation = Gay
Identity = Versatile Man / Not femme not butch
Good question btw.
2007-07-11 10:34:39 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
sure! they're two different things. now i'm gonna give you a....weird let's say example : a girl who feels, behaves, maybe even looks like a guy, but is attracted to guys, may be gay - it makes no sense, but if you think a bit...
2007-07-11 10:05:29 · answer #10 · answered by buzzbuzz 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋