Sexual Orientation sexuelle Orientierung orientation sexuelle 性的指向 orientação sexual 性取向 Sexual orientation refers to an individual's enduring pattern of emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attractions to men, women, both genders, or neither. It is distinct from a person's gender identity, which refers to one's internal sense of being male, female, or something else. Sexual orientation is often a protected characteristic under anti-discrimination laws, which aim to ensure that individuals are treated fairly and equally regardless of their orientation. In many jurisdictions, these laws prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation in areas such as employment, housing, education, and public services.