Definitions of the term "sexual orientation"

In federal legislation and by other groups

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"Sexual orientation" defined in federal legislation:

If passed, H.R. 2015, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2007, ₁ would make discrimination in employment on the basis of sexual orientation illegal. As of 2007-JUN, Section 3a9 defines:

"SEXUAL ORIENTATION - The term `sexual orientation' means homosexuality, heterosexuality, or bisexuality."

Note that this bill is not intended to protect only homosexuals from discrimination. It would equally protect heterosexuals, bisexuals and homosexuals. ₂

Bill S. 1105, the Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007, ₃ would expand the hate crime coverage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The existing law only covers criminal actions motivated by hatred of the victim' race, color, religion, or national origin. Bill S. 1105 would expand coverage to include physically violent crimes in which the perpetrator was motivated by hatred of the victim's sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or disability.

Unfortunately, the bill contains a near fatal deficiency in the "Definitions" section, 249 (c). It does not define "sexual orientation." This leaves the way open for critics to attack the bill because, in their view, the bill would cover abusive pedophiles (adults who sexually abuse pre-pubertal children), hebephiles (adults who abuse post-pubertal children), and persons involved in any of a few dozens of paraphilias.

 Bill H.R. 2232  "To affirm that Federal employees are protected from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and to repudiate any assertion to the contrary." ₄ also does not contain a definition of sexual orientation.

Other definitions of "sexual orientation:"

References used:

The following information sources were used to prepare and update the above essay. The hyperlinks are not necessarily still active today.

1. The text of H.R. 2015 is at: http://www.govtrack.us/
2. "H.R.2015 Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2007" at: http://thomas.loc.gov/
3. The text of S. 1105 is at: http://www.govtrack.us/
4. The text of H.R. 2232 is at: http://www.govtrack.us/
5. "Answers to Your Questions About Sexual Orientation and Homosexuality," American Psychological Association, 2007, at: http://www.apa.org/
6. "Sexual orientation," Answers, at: http://www.answers.com/
7. "Definition of Terms and Concepts Related to Sex, Gender, and Sexual Orientation," Public Health, Boulder County, CO, at: http://www.co.boulder.co.us/
8. "Understanding Human Sexuality, 9th edition," McGraw-Hill, Online Learning Center, at: http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/
9. L. Reiter, "Sexual orientation, sexual identity, and the question of choice," Clinical Social Work Journal, 17, (1989), Pages 138-150.
10. "Sexual Health Glossary," WebMD, at: http://www.webmd.com/
11. "Glossary of Affirmative Action Terms," University of Rhode Island: Office of Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity, at: : http://www.uri.edu/
12. "Sexual orientation," Wikipedia, at: http://en.wikipedia.org/

Copyright © 2007 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Original posting: 2007-JUN-05
Latest update: 2007-JUN-05
Author: B.A. Robinson