nonheterosexual

Nonheterosexual is an umbrella term used to describe sexual orientations that are not exclusively heterosexual. It covers identities whose attractions align with same-gender, multiple-gender, or non-traditional patterns, as well as those who experience little or no sexual attraction. Examples include gay, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, asexual, demisexual, and queer.

In research and policy contexts, nonheterosexual is used to avoid assuming heterosexuality as a default and to capture the diversity of sexual orientations in populations.

The term overlaps with broader LGBT+ terminology; however, it is not a fixed identifier for all individuals and may be less precise than specific labels chosen by people to describe their own orientation.

Social and legal experiences vary widely across countries and communities, with ongoing efforts to address discrimination, promote equal rights, and support health and well-being for nonheterosexual people.

As a label, nonheterosexual can reflect both identity and research utility, but many individuals prefer explicit terms such as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or pansexual to describe their orientation.