Heterosexual

Heterosexual means being attracted to people of the opposite gender — so a man attracted to women, or a woman attracted to men. Most people use the word "straight" instead, since "heterosexual" sounds quite formal. It's the most common sexual orientation, but it's one of several — not the "default" that everything else is measured against.

• Heterosexual means attracted to the opposite gender. Most people say "straight."
• It's a sexual orientation, the same way being gay, bisexual, or asexual is.
• Being straight is the most common orientation, but that doesn't make it more "normal" or valid than any other.
• Like all sexual orientations, it's not a choice — it's just who you're attracted to.

Why it's in a sex ed glossary

You might wonder why "straight" needs a definition. It's here because when a glossary only defines the orientations that aren't straight, it implies that being straight is the default and everything else needs explaining. That's not a great way to think about sexuality. Every orientation — including heterosexual — is just one of several ways people experience attraction.

Having the word also helps in conversations about sexuality more broadly. If you're talking about different orientations, it's useful to have a term for all of them rather than defining some and leaving one unnamed.

What it doesn't mean

Being straight doesn't mean you've never had a thought about someone of the same gender, or that you've never been curious. Sexuality isn't always black and white, and having a passing thought or curiosity doesn't change your orientation. Some people are firmly, exclusively straight. Others are mostly straight but occasionally find themselves attracted to someone of the same gender. Both are fine — labels are there to help, not to box you in.

It also doesn't mean you have to perform your sexuality in a particular way. A straight man doesn't have to be macho. A straight woman doesn't have to be feminine. How you express yourself and who you're attracted to are separate things.

Things people ask about being heterosexual

Is everyone either straight or gay?

No. Sexuality exists on a spectrum. Some people are exclusively straight, some exclusively gay, and many are somewhere in between — bisexual, pansexual, or using other terms that fit their experience. Some people don't experience sexual attraction at all (asexual).

What if I think I'm straight but I had a crush on someone of the same gender?

A single crush or passing attraction doesn't necessarily define your orientation. You might be straight with occasional curiosity, you might be bisexual, or you might still be figuring it out. There's no rush to label yourself, and it's okay for your understanding to evolve.

Why do some people say "straight" like it's boring?

Sometimes straight people feel left out of conversations about sexuality, or feel like their orientation is seen as "basic." Being straight is no more or less interesting than any other orientation — it's just who you're attracted to.

Heterosexual is the formal word for being attracted to people of the opposite gender. A boy who fancies girls, or a girl who fancies boys. Most people just say "straight."

It's the most common type of attraction, but that doesn't make it more normal or more right than any other. Being straight is just one of several ways people experience attraction. Being gay, bisexual, or anything else is equally valid.

Like all types of attraction, being straight isn't a choice. You don't decide who you fancy. It's just part of who you are.

Being straight doesn't mean you've never once had a thought about someone of the same gender. Lots of people have passing curiosity, and that doesn't change who you are. Sexuality isn't always perfectly neat. Some people are completely straight. Others are mostly straight but sometimes attracted to the same gender. Both are fine.

Being straight also doesn't mean you have to act a certain way. A straight boy doesn't have to be tough or sporty. A straight girl doesn't have to be girly. Who you're attracted to and how you express yourself are two different things.