The term “sexual orientation” covers a number of different aspects, such as

• Sexual identity – how do I identify in terms of my sexuality? Which community do I feel a part of?
• Erotic desire – which genders am I sexually attracted to?
• Romantic attraction – with whom do I fall in love?
• Sexual behavior – with whom do I have sex?

People can live out these aspects in different combinations. For example, a woman may identify as lesbian, be sexually attracted to women, only fall in love with women, and pursue sexual relationships with women. But in the same way, a man may solely identify as heterosexual, only desire and fall in love with women, and yet still have sex with men. Or a person may be asexual and not experience any sexual attraction whatsoever, but still engage in romantic relationships with people of any gender identity.

The term “queer” and acronyms like “LGBTQIA+” are frequently used to refer collectively to highly diverse groups of people, including those whose sexual orientation does not fit into the confines of heteronormativity as well as those whose gender identity does not fall within the bounds of cisnormativity. The acronym “LGBTQIA+” stands for lesbian, gay, trans, queer, intersex, and asexual, with the plus sign (+) or asterisk (*) at the end signaling that this list is not exhaustive and that there are many other possible terms and points of reference that people use to define themselves.

Freie Universität Berlin factors sexual orientation into all its measures that concern a variety of other dimensions of discrimination. It also pursues measures that specifically address sexual orientation. Freie Universität Berlin is a member of the Berliner Queer-Bündnis (Berlin Queer Alliance), a coalition of organizations that are committed to combating any form of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.