- Definition
Sexual orientation describes who a person is romantically or sexually attracted to, like being straight, gay, lesbian, or bisexual. It's a natural part of who someone is.
A man who loves a man is gay, a woman who loves a woman is a lesbian, and a person who loves someone of a different gender is heterosexual.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: Think of sexual orientation like a compass inside you that points toward the people you might have romantic feelings for.
Ask your child: What makes a family a family?
Common mix-up: Kids may think sexual orientation is a choice someone makes. It's actually a natural part of who a person is, just like their eye color or how tall they are.
Examples
- A person who is attracted to people of more than one gender may identify as bisexual.
- A family with two dads is an example of a family formed by people who are gay.
sexual orientation is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
