Interesting Question...

[tragicomedic]

This is something I've been wondering about for a long time now, and I would really appreciate it if some of you would respond with brief answers to these questions (I'm really interested to compare other people's experiences with my own):

First of all, do you consider yourself heterosexual, bisexual, homosexual, or something else (and what gender are you... I'd really like to hear from women)?

How do you feel when you think about being in an emotional (non-sexual) relationship with someone of the same gender? What about when you think about being in a sexual relationship with someone of the same gender? (i.e., if you are straight, does the idea disgust you, or is it just something that doesn't excite you?)

Similarly, how do you feel when you think about being in an emotional relationship with someone of the opposite gender? What about for a sexual relationship?

Finally, do you think that it is necessary to have had physical experiences to determine your own sexuality, or is considering your feelings of attraction enough? (And by physical experiences, I mean if I've never even held hands with either gender, can I really know what my orientation is?)

I posted this in the 'personal growth' section because I'm hoping to be able to draw some comparisons to my own life... I'm very grateful for any responses you give me.

Thank you!!

[velvette]

I'm straight but open-minded. I wouldn't be disgusted by any of the options you brought up! and I don't think you need any physical experiences to determine your own sexuality. I'm straight, I just am, and I know it. but I know I'm not *incapable* of having relations with someone of the same gender, yet I'm not bi.

[ellandroader]

First of all, do you consider yourself heterosexual, bisexual, homosexual, or something else (and what gender are you... I'd really like to hear from women)?

Male and heterosexual.

How do you feel when you think about being in an emotional (non-sexual) relationship with someone of the same gender? What about when you think about being in a sexual relationship with someone of the same gender? (i.e., if you are straight, does the idea disgust you, or is it just something that doesn't excite you?)

The idea just wouldn't feel right to me, but then I am straight so wouldn't see the attraction in a guy that I would a girl.

Similarly, how do you feel when you think about being in an emotional relationship with someone of the opposite gender? What about for a sexual relationship?

The emotional part is what excites me the most. I want someone to enjoy my life with and who I can share a mutual trust and respect with, to talk to about anything and randomly. Sexual relationship is just something that comes with it, and I would only be in one with someone I have those strong feelings for, which admittedly has not been often in my life.

Finally, do you think that it is necessary to have had physical experiences to determine your own sexuality, or is considering your feelings of attraction enough? (And by physical experiences, I mean if I've never even held hands with either gender, can I really know what my orientation is?)

Nope, I think you are what you are and you probably know the answer already. I doubt that a physical experience is needed to determine that and in doing so, you are maybe in denial of your true feelings.

[Nixee]

First of all, do you consider yourself heterosexual, bisexual, homosexual, or something else (and what gender are you... I'd really like to hear from women)?

I'm a woman, and I consider myself straight.


How do you feel when you think about being in an emotional (non-sexual) relationship with someone of the same gender?

I value these relationships greatly, and I often feel sad that I don't have as many in my life as I used to (many of my closest girlfriends now live far away from me).

What about when you think about being in a sexual relationship with someone of the same gender? (i.e., if you are straight, does the idea disgust you, or is it just something that doesn't excite you?)

It does not disgust me in the slightest, though I'm not sure it excites me either. I consider myself straight, though I have kissed girls, and found women attractive. I'm open to someone amazing changing my mind, but I sincerely doubt it'll happen. I feel secure.

Similarly, how do you feel when you think about being in an emotional relationship with someone of the opposite gender? What about for a sexual relationship?

I feel very happy when I manage to create a successful emotional relationship with a man... it excites me. I feel even more excited when it is someone who I am very sexually attracted to and have a great sexual relationship with.

Finally, do you think that it is necessary to have had physical experiences to determine your own sexuality, or is considering your feelings of attraction enough? (And by physical experiences, I mean if I've never even held hands with either gender, can I really know what my orientation is?)

I don't think it is necessary. It isn't just attraction either... as I said, I've felt attracted to females myself, but I don't consider myself gay. I think it is something you just know. And if you don't know, eventually you will figure it out.

[Laura11111]

Originally Posted by tragicomedic

This is something I've been wondering about for a long time now, and I would really appreciate it if some of you would respond with brief answers to these questions (I'm really interested to compare other people's experiences with my own):

First of all, do you consider yourself heterosexual, bisexual, homosexual, or something else (and what gender are you... I'd really like to hear from women)?

How do you feel when you think about being in an emotional (non-sexual) relationship with someone of the same gender? What about when you think about being in a sexual relationship with someone of the same gender? (i.e., if you are straight, does the idea disgust you, or is it just something that doesn't excite you?)

Similarly, how do you feel when you think about being in an emotional relationship with someone of the opposite gender? What about for a sexual relationship?

Finally, do you think that it is necessary to have had physical experiences to determine your own sexuality, or is considering your feelings of attraction enough? (And by physical experiences, I mean if I've never even held hands with either gender, can I really know what my orientation is?)

I posted this in the 'personal growth' section because I'm hoping to be able to draw some comparisons to my own life... I'm very grateful for any responses you give me.

Thank you!!

I'm female and consider myself heterosexual. The emotional relationships that I have with some of my female friends are strong but I could never be with a woman, sexually. The idea grosses me out.

The emotional relationships I've have with men are also strong but they are very different than what I have with my female friends....more of a companionship than a friendship (I know that doesn't explain much). I love being intimate with a man.

Of course you can know what your sexual orientation is without having sexual experiences!