Do people really turn 180 degrees in their sexual orientation?

Only at that relatively late stage in life did they undergo startling 180-degree turns in their sexual orientation. (While the facts of each case are accurate, I’ve used pseudonyms at the subjects’ request.)

How do you know if someone knows your sexual orientation?

A person only knows your sexual orientation if you tell them. Sexual orientation describes how you feel inside, and only you know what it’s like to be you. Some people may think they can guess if a person is lesbian, gay, or bisexual based on superficial factors like how they look, dress, or behave.

Is it normal to have a hard time understanding your sexual orientation?

This is really common, and it doesn’t mean that anything is wrong with you. For some people, understanding their sexual orientation can take years, or even a lifetime. Often, people find that they’re “questioning” for a while, or that none of the labels used to describe sexual orientation fit them.

Why do so many women change their sexual orientation?

During that time, Diamond discovered, a significant number of the women had reported changing their sexual orientation. The most frequent cause for the U-turn? The “switchers” had fallen in love with a member of the opposite sex.

Can sexuality change throughout our lives?

But the fact is, science is showing us that sexuality can change throughout our lives, particularly when it comes with love. Who we are attracted to is not fixed and, as queer people, we should know this.

Is your sexual orientation carved in stone?

That may sound unlikely, but as researchers are discovering, a person’s sexual orientation is not carved in stone. In her influential book Sexual Fluidity, psychology professor Lisa M. Diamond chronicled her research on 80 nonheterosexual women over a period of 10 years.