Homosexuality generally refers to sexual and/or emotional attraction to members of the same sex. Homosexuality is considered to be a sexual orientation along with heterosexuality, or attraction to members of the opposite sex, and bisexuality, or the potential for attraction to members of both sexes. In addition to attraction, sexual orientation may also refer to
The construct of homosexuality can be conceptualized from two major perspectives: essentialist and constructivist. Essentialist assumptions have informed the thinking of many theorists and researchers traditionally associated with human sexuality, such as Sigmund Freud. The essentialist perspective views homosexuality as a core attribute of individual identity. From this perspective, homosexuality is held to be temporally