Sexual Fluidity

Sexual fluidity is defined as a capacity for situation-dependent flexibility in sexual responsiveness, such that individuals may periodically experience sexual desires that run counter to their overall orientation (i.e., heterosexual individuals experiencing same-sex attractions and gay or lesbian individuals experiencing other-sex attractions). Sexual fluidity varies from person to person so that some individuals may be described as relatively “high” or “low” on fluidity. Hence, although individuals possess relatively stable sexual orientations that target their sexual attractions toward the opposite sex, the same sex, or both sexes, these orientations are not rigidly deterministic. Highly fluid individuals may experience unexpected variation in their sexual feelings and behaviors over the life course as they encounter different situations, relationships, and life stages.

The notion of sexual fluidity challenges traditional models ...

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