Dear Yvonne,
What does it mean to be a “trisexual?”
—Horace

Dear Horace,
Labeling yourself “trisexual” can mean one of two things:
1. You’re willing to “try” anything sexual.
2. You’re not limited to being sexually intimate with males and females, but people who may identify as another gender. (While our society largely recognizes two genders, other cultures have been known to recognize a third or even fourth gender).

Dr. Yvonne Kristín Fulbright is a sex educator, relationship expert, columnist and founder of Sexuality Source Inc. She is the author of several books including, “Touch Me There! A Hands-On Guide to Your Orgasmic Hot Spots.”

Dear Yvonne,
My partner is very active in local gay and lesbian advocacy groups, and it makes me uncomfortable since I’m trying to keep my sexual orientation on the down-low for various reasons. How can I deal with my feelings without trying to force my lover to give up his activities?
—Cain

Dear Cain,
This is something you need to work out on your own. Your partner shouldn’t be forced to give up any activities, and shouldn’t be made to feel responsible for your feelings — which include decisions you have already made for yourself because of your own comfort level.

To get to a better place emotionally, seek out holistic activities that allow you to get in touch with yourself, like yoga and meditation. Pursue outlets to express yourself and get to the heart of matter — maybe try writing in a journal. If necessary, consider talking to a counselor about why you’re having problems coming out, and what you can do to get to a better, more accepting place. This discomfort is your problem, and one only you can address with yourself.

Dr. Yvonne Kristín Fulbright is a sex educator, relationship expert, columnist and founder of Sexuality Source Inc. She is the author of several books including, “Touch Me There! A Hands-On Guide to Your Orgasmic Hot Spots.”

Dear Yvonne,
My partner refers to me as his roommate in front of coworkers that don’t know he is gay. It bothers me. So how do I handle it?
-Unsigned

Dear Unsigned,
The next time this happens don’t address the situation until you have a chance to be alone with your partner and express how you feel. You don’t want to embarrass your lover for his insensitivity, no matter how well deserved. That will only compound your problem and make your partner more defensive than anything.

In addressing the issue in private, own your statement - meaning use “I” statements, like “I feel” or “I think”, as you’re not wrong in expressing yourself and won’t seem as attacking. Unless being gay puts his job at risk, your partner should be able to introduce you as his partner. You have every right to be bothered by that. And you may have to make a tough decision as far as if you can stay in a closeted relationship, should he choose not to come out. One way to compromise his issues with being out is to leave things more open, for example, “This is Jack” – without adding insult to injury with a label like ‘roommate.’

People these days are pretty savvy in putting together the pieces – and most don’t care. If a person inquires about the relationship exactly, however, then you can respond with an honest response.

 Dr. Yvonne Kristín Fulbright is a sex educator, relationship expert, columnist and founder of Sexuality Source Inc. She is the author of several books including, “Touch Me There! A Hands-On Guide to Your Orgasmic Hot Spots.”

Gay men and straight women share some characteristics in the area of the brain responsible for emotion, mood and anxiety, a new study finds.

Brain scans also showed brain similarities between lesbians and straight men, according to the study, which appears in the current issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. (continue)