When we think about sexuality, we often rely on categories like “straight,” “gay,” or “bisexual.” While these labels can be useful, they don’t always fully capture how people experience attraction. Some individuals feel romantic attraction to one gender but physical attraction to another. Others may experience shifts in their attractions over time. Sexual Configurations Theory (SCT), developed by Dr. Lisa Diamond, offers a more flexible and inclusive way to understand human sexuality.
What Is Sexual Configurations Theory?
Sexual Configurations Theory (SCT) is a model that recognizes sexuality as multi-dimensional, meaning it’s made up of different aspects rather than fitting into one fixed label. Instead of thinking about sexual orientation as a single, unchanging identity, SCT encourages us to consider the various ways people experience attraction.
SCT looks at sexuality through several key factors:
Who you are attracted to – This includes gender but also other qualities like personality, energy, or emotional connection.
How you are attracted – Some people experience romantic attraction (wanting deep emotional intimacy), while others feel physical attraction (desire for touch or sexual connection). Some people feel both, while others feel neither.
The types of relationships you prefer – Some people prefer monogamous relationships (one partner at a time), while others feel comfortable with open or polyamorous relationships. Some enjoy casual dating, while others want deep emotional commitment.
How attraction changes over time – Some individuals experience a consistent pattern of attraction, while others may find their attractions shifting based on different life experiences.
How Sexuality Can Change Over Time
One of the most important aspects of SCT is its recognition that sexuality isn’t always fixed—it can shift and evolve throughout a person’s life. Many people experience changes in who they are attracted to, the type of relationships they prefer, or how they understand their sexuality.
There are many reasons why sexuality might change over time:
Life experiences and personal growth – As people grow and change, they may become more aware of attractions they hadn’t noticed before. For example, someone who identified as straight when they were younger may later recognize feelings for people of different genders.
Emotional connections – Some people might find that they develop unexpected romantic or physical attraction to a close friend or someone they never considered a potential partner before.
Cultural and social influences – Exposure to different perspectives on relationships and attraction can lead people to reconsider how they define their sexuality.
Changes in relationship dynamics – Someone who was once comfortable in monogamous relationships might later feel drawn to ethical non-monogamy, or vice versa.
Sexuality isn’t necessarily something people “discover” once and then never question again. For many, it’s a journey—one that can involve new realizations, changing desires, and evolving relationships. SCT helps explain these shifts without suggesting that one identity is more “true” than another. Instead, it acknowledges that all experiences of attraction are valid, whether they remain stable or change over time.
Examples of SCT in Everyday Life
Mixed Attractions – A person may primarily feel romantic attraction to one gender but find themselves physically attracted to another. SCT allows for this complexity without forcing someone into a strict identity category.
Changing Attractions Over Time – A person who identified as straight for most of their life might later experience same-gender attraction. Rather than seeing this as a contradiction, SCT helps explain how sexual feelings can evolve.
Relationship Preferences – Some people thrive in committed, monogamous relationships, while others feel more fulfilled in open or polyamorous relationships. SCT allows space for different relationship dynamics without assuming that one is more “correct” than another.
Sexuality Is Unique for Everyone
SCT reminds us that sexuality is fluid and multi-dimensional, shaped by various factors beyond simple labels. It allows people to explore and understand their own experiences without feeling restricted by societal expectations.
By recognizing the diversity in human attraction and relationships, we can create a more accepting world—one that values people for who they truly are rather than trying to fit them into predefined boxes.
Understanding sexuality in this way can help people feel more comfortable with themselves and others, leading to deeper connections and greater self-acceptance. Whether your attractions are clear and consistent or shifting and evolving, your experience is valid.
