a mode or style of conducting one's life that is considerably removed from the generally perceived norm

This term is used to refer to the way of life/play that a large number of dominant and submissive people practice all over the world. Due to the attractive advantages of this lifestyle, the number of self-identified practitioners is growing every day. I look forward to the day when D/s is referred to simply as a lifestyle.

A mode or style of life that one chooses to conduct their life. Most often it is a lifestyle that is not perceived as the cultural "norm". A few examples would be Swinging, BDSM and Homosexuality. Although Homosexuality as become more of an eccepted variant of the mainstream.

Any sexual preference that is different from the generally accepted social norm.

Sexual preference that is very different from the "norm," making it necessary and/or desirable. If the alternative sexuality is less common than the norm it will push the individual to reach an accepted subculture.

An alternative lifestyle is a lifestyle (a mode or style of conducting one's life) which carries the implication that it is not within the generally perceived cultural norm. Usually, but not always, it implies an affinity or identification within some matching subculture (examples include Hippies, Goth and punk). Traditionally not all minority lifestyles are held to be "alternative"; the term tends to imply newer forms of lifestyle, often based upon enlarged freedoms (especially in the sphere of social styles) or a decision to substitute another approach or not enter the usual expected path in most societies.