The Protected Class of Sexual Orientation

Sexual Orientation: Sexual Orientation is an enduring emotional, romantic, sexual or affectional attraction to another person. It is distinguished from other components of sexuality including biological sex, gender identity (the psychological sense of being male or female) and the social gender role (adherence to cultural norms for feminine and masculine behavior).

Sexual orientation exists along a continuum that ranges from exclusive homosexuality to exclusive heterosexuality and includes various forms of bisexuality. Bisexual persons can experience sexual, emotional, and affectional attraction to both their own sex and the opposite sex. Persons with a homosexual orientation are sometimes referred to as gay (both men and women) or as lesbian (women only). Sexual orientation is different from sexual behavior because it refers to feelings and self-concept. Persons may or may not express their sexual orientation in their behaviors (definition from the American Psychological Association).

University policy prohibits unlawful discrimination and harassment based on a person's sexual orientation, although this protection does not exist in state or federal law. Members of the campus community are advised to check with the Office for Institutional Equity & Diversity regarding changes to laws and regulations due to the current debates in this area of equal opportunity legislation.