sexual orientation
sexual orientation. A person’s predisposition or inclination toward a particular type of sexual activity or behavior; heterosexuality, homosexuality, or bisexuality. • There has been a trend in recent years to make sexual orientation a protected class, esp. in employment and hate-crime statutes. [Cases: Civil Rights 1012, 1191. C.J.S. Civil Rights §§ 2, 6–7, 9–10, 19, 21, 56–58.]