How do we seperate sexual orientaton from fetishisms?

This has always been something that I've seen as clear separations that I don't think other people see as such. Most people see that sexual orientation as interchangeable with sexuality, but personally I don't feel that it is.

To me, my sexuality is directly related to what I like sexually. That it happens to directed toward someone of the same sex as opposed to someone of the opposite is only a very tiny aspect. My sexuality encompass all of my personal turn ons or a person's fetishes and such.

Where as to me, my sexual orientation affects my global perspective. It affects how I view the world and how I approach issues. Just a few weeks ago, if I was to consider relocating for a new job, one of my first considerations would've been if marriage equality had reached their yet. My sexual orientation means that I'm one among many; part of a vast community that spans the globe and has a unique and colorful culture.

I feel like this is one of the issues that straight people have with understand what "being gay" really is. It's not a fetish in and of itself. You don't love a fetish; you're attracted to it.

How do you see it or explain the difference?

To me they are clearly separate things. If you research it you will find that straight people have the same sort of fetishes as we do just with the opposite sex. Pornography aside there are many interesting documentaries on fetishes, mostly from a heterosexual point of view with a smattering of homosexuals in the mix. HBO and Showtime (late night) have many examples of this. Netflix is another network that has some of these materials available. Fetishes are definitely not specific when it comes to sexual orientation.

To me, this is related to the article that I posted here. Many see being homosexual as being a fetish, choice, phase and/or lifestyle. They struggle with the concept that being gay is the exact same as being straight with the only difference being finding sexual gratification with someone of the same sex as opposed to the opposite sex.

A short time ago, I was having a conversation with a relative and they asked what was the difference about me getting married as opposed to not getting married (in light of the SCOTUS decision). I asked them what would be the difference in me getting married or not getting married to a female? That's when the lightbulb went off for them because it allowed them to see it for what it is.

I think some people simply don't understand because they've never really thought about it while others refuse to understand/accept because it makes them too uncomfortable.

Quote by NicholasJohn16

This has always been something that I've seen as clear separations that I don't think other people see as such. Most people see that sexual orientation as interchangeable with sexuality, but personally I don't feel that it is.

To me, my sexuality is directly related to what I like sexually. That it happens to directed toward someone of the same sex as opposed to someone of the opposite is only a very tiny aspect. My sexuality encompass all of my personal turn ons or a person's fetishes and such.

I think I might disagree with how you characterise sexuality. I think sexuality may include how you feel about your body, how confident (either positively or negatively) you are in your body, in your sense of style, in your (physical) fluidity, and in your rhythm.

All of that said, without being linked to sex, of course.