Youth perspectives on sexual fluidity.

Sexual fluidity has been defined as change over time in one or more dimensions of sexual orientation (identity, attractions, gender of sexual partners). As research on sexual fluidity among young people expands, it is critical to understand how adolescents and young adults understand sexual fluidity. Qualitative data were analysed from the USA-based Sexual Orientation Fluidity in Youth Study, which recruited 3,550 participants aged 14-25 years from an online survey panel. Participants responded to an open-ended question on sexual fluidity: 'What does it mean for a person to be sexually fluid?' (with the option to write 'I don't know'). Analysis was conducted on a random sample of responses (N = 331). About half of the participants (n = 164) expressed uncertainty about sexual fluidity. Two primary themes were developed regarding how adolescents and young adults perceived sexual fluidity: (1) sexual fluidity means change (in general or in desire) and (2) sexual fluidity means openness. Many adolescents and young adults also demonstrated nuanced understandings of sexual fluidity. These findings highlight that adolescents and young adults have varying understandings of sexual fluidity, signalling the need for researchers and clinicians to broaden how they measure and discuss changes in sexual orientation.