Straight is a slang term for heterosexual, which is the attraction to people of the "opposite" gender, or the attraction to gender(s) unlike one's own. It is considered the opposite of gay and lesbian. More specifically straight is most commonly used to mean men attracted to women and women attracted to men. The term "straight" is used to describe for both straight men and straight women.
An alternate definition of straight is someone who is attracted to those of a different gender, or someone who is attracted to gender(s) unlike one's own. The usage of the word "opposite" in the standard definition implies there that are only two genders, men and women, and that those genders are opposites. A relationship between two people of different gender is often called "straight" however this is not always accurate as one or both people might be multisexual. A relationship with two people of different genders caused by one of the parties being non-binary can be called diamoric. Non-binary people who feel they are straight but in a uniquely non-binary way may identify as strayt.
While straight is often used to describe non-LGBT people it is possible for straight people to be part of the LGBT community. For example, they might be transgender. They also might be, asexual heteroromantic, or aromantic heterosexual, which also makes them LGBT. The last four flags were made to serve the LGBT straights.
Flags
The first flag was coined by FlagsForCisHets and is known to be quite offensive and used in a deragatory manner to the community. The second flag was coined by an unknown user, and was made to be more open and welcoming.
The third flag was made by user Lm7923 on November 22nd, 2020 for transgender straights, due to the transphobia they face (examples include being called a lesbian or gay, because theyre not seen as the opposite gender by transphobes.) The fourth flag, made by RoseWatera on the same date, served the same purpose. The fifth was made by a user going by Adora on December 1st, 2020 as a mix of them both.
The sixth flag was coined by a user going by Adora on December 1st, 2020, for ace or aro straights., due to the discrimination they face.
Etymology
The prefix hetero- comes from the Greek word heteros, meaning "different". The term "heterosexual" was coined shortly after and as the opposite to "homosexual".
