While sexuality is often a word used to describe sexual orientation, your sexuality is about more than who you’re attracted to sexually and romantically.
Your sexuality can also encompass your gender identity as well as your capacity and preferences for sexual and romantic feelings. It’s unique to you and can change over time and in different situations.
Understanding your sexuality
There is no one way to define, describe, and express your sexuality. We each experience sexual and romantic attraction, gender and identity, and sexual drive differently. Your sexuality can be influenced by:
- society
- your background
- culture
- professions
- religion
- your own unique experiences.
All of these things make you uniquely you, but this can also make sexuality a little complicated.
It is common for many of us to be unsure about, or question, our sexuality. For some of us, sexuality can also be fluid, changing many times throughout our lives. No matter your circumstances, it is really important to remember that you can take things as slow as you need, be kind to yourself and there are people you can talk to.
Identity
Identity often plays an important part in figuring out your sexuality. Many people find that one or some of the terms under the acronym LGBTIQA+ affirms and describes their sexuality, while some feel their identity assigned at birth is suitable for them, and some don’t like to place labels on their sexuality at all.
Learn more about the diverse sexualities within LGBTIQA+
Community
Getting to know who you are and exploring your sexuality can feel very empowering and, at the same time, daunting. Finding a community of supportive people can help make exploring your sexuality a little less daunting by giving you the space and support to learn more about yourself.
While it can be difficult to find a strong community or a group of like-minded people, there are many initiatives and groups at UQ and beyond that can make things a bit easier for you:
Sexuality and your mental health
Exploring and expressing your sexuality can play an important part in helping your social and emotional wellbeing into the future. Each person has a different story. Some people invite others into their new chapters with ease, while others can find it difficult to navigate uncomfortable situations, as well as stigma and discrimination from others or themselves.
There are different ways your social and emotional wellbeing can be impacted, including:
- the feeling of being different and isolated
- being afraid to be yourself
- pressure to disclose or deny your sexuality
- facing sexuality-based discrimination or bullying.
It is important to remember that these things do not define your sexuality. If you begin to notice any impacts on your concentration, sleep, diet, relationships or overall wellbeing, there is support available to you:
If you need more urgent assistance, Lifeline is available 24 hours, 7 days a week at: 13 11 14.
If you feel unsafe at any time due to violence or threat of violence, please call 000.
How to be an LGBTIQA+ ally
LGBTIQA+ allies play an important role in making society safer and more inclusive for all. There are many ways you can be a proactive LGBTIQA+ ally at UQ:
- Call out discrimination and fight for equal treatment of all people, regardless of their sexuality, gender, background, bodies, and relationships.
- Be open to learning about issues that impact the community, and continually learn and grow (and accepting when you’ve made a mistake!)
- Do not make assumptions about someone’s gender, sexuality, or pronouns. If you’re not sure, ask! If you make a mistake, find an opportunity to check in with them and apologise.
- Use neutral language if you’re not sure and haven’t had a chance to ask (i.e. they instead of she/he, or partner instead of girlfriend/boyfriend).
- Be willing to listen and offer support to people who need your support.
- Allow the community to speak for themselves and amplify their voices.
- Find out more, or join the UQ Ally Network.
Learn more about sexuality
General help and support
On-campus support:
Australia-wide resources:
- True relationships and reproductive health – Queensland
- Family Planning – New South Wales
- Sexual Health Victoria
- SHINE – South Australia
- Sexual Health Quarters – Western Australia
- Family Planning – Northern Territory
- Sexual Health and Family Planning – Australian Capital Territory
- Family Planning – Tasmania