Sexual orientation is multifaceted and individual. It defines which gender or genders a person feels attracted to. There are various different terms that can help describe those feelings:

1. Gay or lesbian: these terms refer to homosexuality, i.e. romantic or sexual attraction to people of the same gender. Gay men feel attracted to other men, while lesbian women feel attracted to other women.
2. Bisexual or pansexual: people who identify as bisexual find more than one gender attractive. Pansexual people, by contrast, make no distinction regarding the gender of their potential partners and can feel attracted to people of all gender identities.
3. Heterosexual: the heterosexual orientation describes attraction to people of the other binary gender – traditionally men to women and women to men.
4. Asexual or aromantic: asexual people feel little or no sexual desire, while aromantic people generally do not feel romantically attracted to others.

It is important to emphasise that these terms can never represent the full spectrum of individual experiences, but they do provide a basis for understanding and communicating your own identity. At the same time, it is enriching to talk to other people who have had similar experiences or who are in a similar phase of discovery.

Reflecting on your own sexual orientation is an important step towards self-acceptance and authenticity. Every orientation is valid and worthy of respect. Choosing which term is the best fit for you personally can help you gain clarity and confidence in yourself and towards others. But it is completely normal and fine if takes time for your sexual orientation to manifest itself or it changes over the course of your life.