What’s the difference between lesbian, bisexual, and straight? We examine the differences that make the three sexualities different from one another.

• A lesbian is a woman who is sexually and emotionally attracted to women. This holds true whether the woman is or has been married to a man, and whether she has had sex or a relationship with a woman. Complicated, right?

You’ll find that many if not most lesbian women have spent time in a relationship with men before coming out about their sexuality. That doesn’t make them straight, it just makes them lesbians who came to their senses after being with guys for part of their lives.

• A bisexual is someone (man or woman) who is sexually and emotionally attracted to both men and women and who may feel comfortable pursuing a relationship with either one. Note, if you’ve had sex with a man in the past — and even if you’ve enjoyed it — that doesn’t necessarily mean you are bisexual (or in turn, that you are not a lesbian).

Most of us would get off if we were making out with a reasonably attractive partner (if you know what I mean). What matters is whether you truly are attracted to that person as a woman or man and whether you would be happy and fulfilled in a relationship with either sex.

• A straight woman is one who is sexually and emotionally attracted to men. Yes, it seems obvious, but you’d be amazed how many straight women make out with other girls when the mood (or alcohol level) is right. They might be open-minded (and maybe even a lot of fun), but lesbians they’re not.

To make matters even more complicated (or even more clear, depending on your stance on the issue), new research from Northwestern University shows that women in particular are much less rigid in their sexual attitudes regarding other women. In their 2004 study, women were just as aroused watching erotic lesbian movies as they were watching heterosexual ones.

 http://www.theotherteam.com/the-difference-between-lesbian-bisexual-and-straight/