Sexual orientation and LGBTQ

Sexual orientation can be a matter of preference, identity and practice. Preference is what you are attracted to and who you want to have sex with; identity is what you identify yourself as. Practice refers to previous experiences and who you have sex with.

Homosexuality, bisexuality and heterosexuality are the three sexual orientations that are defined in Swedish legislation. A heterosexual, or straight, person is usually described as someone who is able to be sexually attracted to, or to fall in love with someone of a different sex.

LGBTQ

LGBTQ is a collective term for lesbians and gays (homosexuals), bisexuals, transgender persons and persons who identifies as queer.

Homosexual

A homosexual person is normally described as a someone who is able to be sexually attracted to, or to fall in love with a person of the same sex.

Bisexual

A bisexual is a person has the ability to be sexually attracted to, or to fall in love with both men and women.

Queer

Queer is a term that can mean several different things. It can also mean different things to different people, and so it is hard to define queer in only one way. Queer criticises norms and categories linked to gender and sexuality, above all heteronormativity. Queer can also be an identity that entails resistance to the categories of male, female, homosexual, bisexual or heterosexual, and a desire not to have to define oneself. Finally, queer describes a form of political activism that aims to improve the rights of people who self-identify as queers.