Sexual Diversity: What Does it Mean?

Sexuality is just one of the ways that people differ from one another. The term "sexual diversity" is often used in the context of sexual orientation. Not all people are heterosexual. Some people are gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer, or questioning.

Sexual diversity means that everyone has different understandings about what sexuality means to them. In the past, sexual diversity within the general population was less apparent and visible than it is today.

Over time, society today has become a lot more tolerant and accepting of the differences between people along the lines of religion, disability, ethnicity, race, and sexuality. This includes a recognition that in today's world we are a diverse community with respect to sexual orientation, gender identity, transgenderism, transsexualism, and intersexuality.

Although the term "sexual diversity" can apply to many different aspects of sexuality, it is usually defined as sexual orientation and/or gender identity. The document Sexuality Definitions defines many other sexuality terms, including acronyms and their meanings, that you may come across on SexualDiversity.org - and in everyday life.

LGBT News and Information

Transgender Youth More Often Diagnosed with Mental Health Conditions
Kaiser Permanente study finds rates of depression and attention deficit disorder higher among transgender and gender non-conforming youth.
Subtle Discrimination Still Detected in Gayborhoods
As gayborhoods integrate with more straight people, subtle forms of discrimination become more common.
Sexual Objectification Influences Visual Perception
It has been suggested that sexually objectified women or men are visually processed in the same fashion of an object.
Parents Struggle to Discuss Sex with LGBTQ Teenagers
The study examined parents attitudes toward talking about sexual health with their LGBTQ - lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer teens.
Using Chosen Names Reduces Odds of Depression and Suicide in Transgender Youths
Researchers find when transgender youths are allowed to use their chosen name in places such as work, school and at home, risk of depression and suicide drops.
#TheBladress Girl Rollerblades Across America with No Money
23-year-old Yanise rollerblades on faith to restore the art of trust and empower girls to believe in themselves.
Are Sexual Minority Students Less Likely to Persist in STEM Degrees
Coming out in STEM: Factors affecting retention of sexual minority STEM students - Sexual minority students - lesbian, gay, bisexual and queer - less likely than their heterosexual peers to be retained in STEM degrees after 4 years of college.
Majority of Patients Comfortable with Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Questions
Research by Mayo Clinic shows approx. 97% of patients are comfortable with a health care provider asking sexual orientation and gender identity questions.
Gender Equality Must be at the Core of Health for All
2018 International Womens Day statement by World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
FDA Approves Trogarzo (ibalizumab-uiyk) for Patients with Limited HIV Treatment Options
U.S. FDA approves Trogarzo for adult patients with HIV who have tried multiple medications and whose HIV infections cannot be treated with other therapies - multidrug resistant HIV, or MDR HIV.