Definitions – Sexual orientation and gender identity
In brief: This glossary provides definitions of the main terms related to sexual orientation and gender identity. Using the correct terms is often the basis for a good understanding. These definitions were prepared in collaboration with Prisme-Québec and draw on sources from Health Canada.
Understanding the terms
Whoever we are, we may sometimes feel lost among the many terms used to define the realities surrounding sexual orientation and sexual behaviour. Unfortunately, many of our attitudes or behaviours may be linked to a mistaken understanding of certain terms or expressions.
Here, we offer several definitions that may help you understand certain things or explain them more easily. These definitions were prepared in collaboration with Prisme-Québec.
Sexual orientation
Sexual orientation
Defined according to the sex of the people (men, women or both) for whom we feel affection and both physical and emotional attraction. (Health Canada – 1998)
Heterosexual
Refers to a person who feels both emotional and physical affection and attraction toward people of a different sex. (Health Canada – 1998)
Homosexual
Refers to a person who feels both emotional and physical affection and attraction toward people of the same sex. (Health Canada – 1998)
Bisexual
Refers to a person who feels both emotional and physical affection and attraction toward people of both sexes. (Health Canada – 1998)
Gay
Refers to a man who feels both emotional and physical affection and attraction toward men. (Health Canada – 1998)
Lesbian
Refers to a woman who feels both emotional and physical affection and attraction toward women. (Health Canada – 1998)
Two-Spirit
Traditionally, many Indigenous peoples attributed positive qualities, leadership abilities and spiritual powers to these individuals. This expression conveys respect: it expresses diversity in sexual orientation and goes back to the source of a person's creation, encompassing the body and spirit of both man and woman. (Health Canada – 2000)
Asexual
A person who experiences very little or no sexual desire.
Ambisexual
A person whose desires and behaviours change, making it difficult to determine their sexual orientation precisely.
Sexual preferences
Independent of sexual orientation, this is the choice of sexual practices and partners based on those partners' physical, psychological and relational characteristics. Countless events and needs can influence an individual's sexual preferences.
Gender identity and expressions
Sexual identity or gender identity
Often wrongly confused with sexual orientation. It refers to an individual's own recognition that they possess male or female physical, psychological or symbolic attributes. In other words, it is the feeling of belonging to the male or female sex. Sexual identity may not conform to anatomical sex. (Dorais and Sansfaçon – 1996)
Transgender
The person wishes to live as an individual of the other sex. They will wear the clothing and assume the role of the opposite sex full-time, unlike a cross-dressing person. However, sex reassignment will never take place. A transgender person may or may not undergo hormone therapy.
Transsexual
Although the person has the physical attributes of one sex, they are convinced that they actually belong to the other gender. These individuals identify with the other sex from childhood. Some undergo hormone treatments and surgery to change their secondary sexual characteristics, namely their genitalia and appearance.
Cross-dressing person
A person who wishes to acquire certain traits of the other sex, without changing their body, by using clothing, fashion accessories and makeup.
Sociosexual role
Social expectations about what is considered masculine or feminine.
Discrimination and prejudice
Homophobia
Refers to the feeling of discomfort expressed toward homosexual people and, more broadly, toward people whose appearance or behaviour departs from feminine or masculine stereotypes. Contempt, disgust, prejudice and hatred toward homosexual people arise from this discomfort. (Demczuk – 1998 and Welzer-Lang – 1994)
Heterosexism
The promotion by social institutions of heterosexuality's superiority as a relationship model. Heterosexist discourse and practices create the illusion that everyone is heterosexual by concealing the true diversity of sexual orientations. Like racism, sexism and other forms of oppression, heterosexism grants privileges to the dominant group (heterosexual people) and tends to deprive sexual minorities of the most fundamental human rights. (Demczuk – 1998)
Other terms
Fantasy
Any creation of the imagination through which our conscious mind attempts to escape the constraints of reality.
Fetishism
The pursuit of sexual satisfaction through an object devoid of erotic significance.
Eroticization
The transformation of an act or our imagination in the pursuit of sexual arousal.
Source and contributor
These definitions were prepared in collaboration with Prisme-Québec. To learn more, visit the Prisme-Québec website.
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Frequently asked questions about the definitions
What is the difference between sexual orientation and gender identity?
Sexual orientation defines whom we are attracted to (people of the same sex, the opposite sex or both sexes), while gender identity concerns the deep-seated feeling of belonging to the male or female sex. A transgender person can have any sexual orientation, just like a cisgender person.
Where do these definitions come from?
Most of these definitions come from official Health Canada sources (1998-2000) and were prepared in collaboration with Prisme-Québec. Other definitions are drawn from the work of recognized researchers such as Demczuk (1998), Welzer-Lang (1994) and Dorais and Sansfaçon (1996).
Is homosexuality a choice?
No, sexual orientation is not a choice. It is defined according to the sex of the people for whom we naturally feel affection and both physical and emotional attraction. Scientific research confirms that sexual orientation is a fundamental component of a person's identity.