Heterosexuality is when a person experiences physical attraction exclusively towards persons of the opposite sex. In other words, it is when a male is attracted only to females, or a female is attracted only to males.
Heterosexuality is when a person experiences only heterosexual attraction. The word ‘heterosexual’ comes from Greek hetero-, meaning ‘other’, ‘different’, and Latin-derived ‘-sexual’, which ultimately comes from Latin sexus, meaning ‘sex’ (the two reproductive categories of humans and other mammals). Thus ‘heterosexual attraction’ is attraction towards persons of the opposite sex.
Heterosexuality is one of three sexualities. The other two are homosexuality – physical attraction exclusively towards persons of the same sex – and bisexuality – physical attraction towards persons of either sex.
Sexuality is enduring and immutable. A person’s sexuality does not change over the course of their life – indeed, it cannot be changed, either wilfully or forcefully. This means that a heterosexual person cannot change to become homosexual, nor can a homosexual person change to become heterosexual.