Scientists do not know the exact cause of sexual orientation, but they believe that it is caused by a complex interplay of genetic, hormonal, and environmental influences. They favor biologically-based theories, which point to genetic factors, the early uterine environment, both, or the inclusion of genetic and social factors. There is no substantive evidence which suggests parenting or early childhood experiences play a role when it comes to sexual orientation. Research over several decades has demonstrated that sexual orientation ranges along a continuum, from exclusive attraction to the opposite sex to exclusive attraction to the same sex. 

Sexual identity and sexual behavior are closely related to sexual orientation, but they are distinguished, with sexual identity referring to an individual's conception of themselves, behavior referring to actual sexual acts performed by the individual, and orientation referring to "fantasies, attachments and longings." Individuals may or may not express their sexual orientation in their behaviors. People who have a homosexual sexual orientation that does not align with their sexual identity are sometimes referred to as 'closeted'. The term may, however, reflect a certain cultural context and particular stage of transition in societies which are gradually dealing with integrating sexual minorities. In studies related to sexual orientation, when dealing with the degree to which a person's sexual attractions, behaviors and identity match, scientists usually use the terms concordance or discordance. Thus, a woman who is attracted to other women, but calls herself heterosexual and only has sexual relations with men, can be said to experience discordance between her sexual orientation (homosexual or lesbian) and her sexual identity and behaviors (heterosexual). QUESTIONS:

Q1:
1. Is it completely understood what gives us our sexual orientation?
2. Do scientists know how exactly sexual orientation is caused?
3. Is the exact root of one's sexual orientation known to scientists?
Q2:
1. What do scientists believe causes sexual orientation?
2. What is the cause of sexual orientation, according to scientists?
3. What do scientists think sexual orientation comes from?
Q3:
1. What is sexual orientation a complex interplay of?
2. What are all the factors that contribute to sexual orientation?
3. What is sexual orientation an amalgam of?
Q4:
1. Do scientists think that uterine development may play a role in sexual orientation?
2. Do scientists believe that it is possible for uterine development to effect sexual orientation?
3. Might there be a role that uterine development plays in forming our sexual orientation?
Q5:
1. What is the range of sexual orientation?
2. What does the range of sexual orientation look like?
3. What does the spectrum of sexual orientations manifest as?
Q6:
1. What is the continuum of sexual orientation?
2. What is the range in the spectrum of sexual orientations?
3. Across what continuum can sexual orientations be mapped out?
Q7:
1. Is there no difference between sexual orientation and sexual identity?
2. Are sexual orientation and sexual identity identical to one another?
3. Do researchers not distinguish between sexual identity and sexual orientation?
Q8:
1. What is meant by sexual identity?
2. What does sexual identity mean?
3. How can sexual identity be defined/
Q9:
1. What is meant by sexual orientation?
2. How can sexual orientation be defined?
3. What definition can be given of sexual orientation?
Q10:
1. What does it mean to be "in the closet?"?
2. What is the subtext of the phrase "in the closet?"?
3. If someone is "in the closet?", what is going on?
Q11:
1. What is reflected in the term "in the closet?"?
2. What can we understand from the term "in the closet?"?
3. What does the word "in the closet?" reflect?
Q12:
1. At what stage do people generally stay "in the closet?"?
2. When are people often "in the closet?"?
3. At what point in one's life are they generally "in the closet?"?
Q13:
1. How do scientists talk about the interplay between sexual identity and orientation?
2. What is the scientific term for the way that sexual identity and orientation interact?
3. In what way do scientists speak about the relationship between sexual orientation and identity?
Q14:
1. What's an example of concordance?
2. What does concordance mean?
3. How can concordance be defined?
Q15:
1. What is discordance?
2. Give an example of discordance?
3. What's an instance of someone being in a state of discordance?
