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Antigay prejudice  Negative attitudes and behaviors toward gays and lesbians. Also termed sexual prejudice.
Bisexual  A person whose sexual orientation is toward both men and women.
Coming out  The process of acknowledging to oneself, and then to others, that one is gay or lesbian.
Conversion or reparative therapy  Any one of a number of treatments designed to turn LGBs into heterosexuals.
Covert homosexual  A homosexual who is "in the closet," who keeps his or her sexual orientation a secret.
Deprivation homosexuality  Homosexual activity that occurs in certain situations, such as prisons, when people are deprived of their regular heterosexual activity.
Gay  Homosexual; especially male homosexuals.
Gay baths  Clubs where gay men can socialize; features include a swimming pool or whirlpool and access to casual sex.
Heterosexism  The belief that everyone is heterosexual and that heterosexuality is the norm; homosexuality is denigrated.
Heterosexual  A person whose sexual orientation is toward members of the other gender.
Homophobia  A strong, irrational fear of homosexuals; negative attitudes and reactions to homosexuals.
Homosexual  A person whose sexual orientation is toward members of the same gender.
Lesbian  A woman whose sexual orientation is toward other women.
Medical model  A theoretical model in psychology and psychiatry in which mental problems are thought of as sickness or mental illness; the problems in turn are often thought to be due to biological factors.
Overt homosexual  A homosexual who is "out of the closet," who is open about his or her sexual orientation.
Sexual identity  One's self-identity as homosexual, heterosexual, or bisexual.
Sexual orientation  A person's erotic and emotional orientation toward members of his or her own gender or members of the other gender.
Straight  Heterosexual; that is, a person whose sexual orientation is toward members of the opposite gender.







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