Beyond alphabet soup: helping college health professionals understand sexual fluidity

ABSTRACT

Many college students today are no longer using the terms straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender to self-identify their sexual orientation or gender identity. This commentary explores research related to fluidity of sexual identities, emerging sexual identities used by college students, and how these identities interact with the health and well-being of the student. Additionally, the authors discuss strategies to help college health professionals provide a sensitive environment and clinical experience for students whose sexual identity is fluid.

KEYWORDS:

• Bisexuality
• college health
• gender identity
• sexual fluidity
• sexual identity
• sexual orientation

Conflict of interest disclosure

The authors have no conflicts of interest to report.

Funding

No funding was used to support this research and/or the preparation of the manuscript.