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Research Paper on Homosexuality
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By: Kris
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In order to graduate I had to do a research paper. The topic was "Survival in the
Real World" and then we picked a topic from there. I, of course, did mine on homosexuality.
One of the greatest poets of the twentieth century, Dr Seuss, once said, "Be who
you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who
matter don't mind" ("Quotations" 13). That is, essentially, the greatest advice
a person can receive and is at the heart of gay rights. As a young homosexual grows
into adulthood and enters the "real world" he or she will, without a doubt, encounter
someone who "minds." Whether it be socially, legally, religiously, or even internally
challenges will emerge. These challenges must be recognized, understood, confronted,
and, hopefully, overcome. Some of these challenges cannot be confronted without
taking legal action or changing the way another person thinks, therefore rendering
the challenge, for most people, difficult or otherwise impossible to overcome. In
these cases the individual's only method of overcoming the issue is through various
resource organizations or support from friends and/or family. In other cases, the
challenge is an emotional one and can only be overcome through an internal process
of acceptance and understanding. Those cases are the most common for homosexuals
and include important processes such as "coming out."
Assumptions and homophobia are one of the biggest problems for homosexuals if they
are to get the majority of people to accept their lifestyle. Homophobia, as defined
by the American Psychological Association, is, "the fear, anxiety, anger, discomfort
and aversion that some... heterosexual people hold for gay individuals" ("New Study"
1). One of the biggest challenges for homosexuals is overcoming homophobia. Oftentimes,
homophobia is based on incorrect assumptions. It is easy to see that assumptions
are everywhere and most have no truth to them. They range from believing homosexuality
is an mental illness to homosexuals "recruiting" children to even believing that
most homosexual males are child molesters. Most of these assumptions are unfounded
and nearly all have been proven false through psychological and scientific studies
and surveys.
Until 1948, homosexuality was not studied seriously or openly discussed. It was
considered a mental illness and what little studies were done were only conducted
on homosexuals who were considered insane and already in the care of psychologist
("Answers to Your Questions" 2). Finally, a sex researcher, Alfred C. Kensey, surveyed
5,300 male volunteers. He published his studies in the book, Sexual Behavior in
the Human Male. Of those surveyed, "50 percent... had a same-sex... genital experience
before puberty... 25 percent... had more than incidental homosexual experiences
for at least three years the between ages of sixteen and fifty-five... 37 percent
had had at least one homosexual experience leading to orgasm after puberty... 10
percent said they had been exclusively homosexual for a period of at least three
years between the ages of sixteen and fifty-five" (Dunbar 15-17). The implications
of this were groundbreaking. Until then it had been thought that men and women were
born exclusively heterosexual (Dunbar 15). Finally, in the late 1950s, the question
of whether homosexual orientation is a mental illness was studied by Dr. Evelyn
Hooker. "She found no differences in emotional stability and mental health between
those who were homosexually oriented and those who were heterosexually oriented...
By 1973... the American Psychiatric Association had removed homosexuality from its
list of mental diseases" (Dunbar 22-23).
In the late 1960s and early 1970s the so called "sexual revolution" began taking
place, which brought a more accepting attitude towards sexuality (Dunbar 17). Robert
E. Dunbar explains how this new sexual freedom affected gay males:
The sexual revolution of the late 1960s and the Gay Revolution that grew out of
it encouraged a sexual freedom that for some gay men became boundless. A Kinsey
Institute survey of gay men in the 1970s revealed that almost half of those surveyed
had had more than 500 sexual partners, and more than 90 percent had had at least
twenty five. Most of these sexual encounters occurred with comparative or absolute
strangers, oftentimes met in gay bars or bathhouses. This promiscuous behavior led
inevitably to the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. On the other hand, the
experiences of lesbians were more like those of women who were heterosexually oriented
(24).
Opponents of gay rights often use the promiscuity of gay males to discredit homosexuals,
however it must be noted that with the epidemic of AIDS and the resulting campaigns
against promiscuous sexual activity, most gay men have changed their sexual habits
to that of lesser and safer sex (Dunbar 25).
Today psychologist have much more detailed research concerning sexual orientation.
Research is currently being conducted to determine various causes of sexual orientation.
Simon LeVay studied particular cell clusters of the hypothalamus, a part of the
brain, from dead heterosexual and homosexual people. He discovered, "The cell cluster
was reliably larger in heterosexual men than in women and homosexual men" (Myers
334). This implied that there might be a biological explanation for homosexuality
at least in males. In looking for a genetic cause of sexuality, a team of researchers
analyzed twin brothers of male homosexuals:
Among their identical twin brothers, 52 percent were homosexual, as were 22 percent
of fraternal twin brothers. In a follow-up study of homosexual women, a similar
48 percent of their identical twins were homosexual, as were 16 percent of their
fraternal twins...This is the sort of pattern we expect to see when genes are having
an influence. Moreover, with a single transplanted gene, scientists can now cause
male fruit flies to display homosexual behavior. (Myers 335)
The fact that sexuality has biological factors and can be proven, or at least highly
suggested, through science and psychology dispels many of the assumptions that homosexuality
is a perversion or chosen by the individual. One psychology textbook noted, "...that
the scientific question is not "What causes homosexuality?' (Or "What causes
heterosexuality?') but "What causes differing sexual orientations?' In pursuit
of answers, psychological science compares the backgrounds and physiology of people
whose sexual orientations differ" (Myers 333).
Psychologically speaking, one of the most important and difficult processes a homosexual
will take is the process of "coming out." Coming out is when a homosexual realizes
he or she is gay and identifies themselves as such and discloses this to others
(Just the facts 3). According to the American Psychological Association, "... the
process of... "coming out' has been found to be strongly related to psychological
adjustment- the more positive the gay, lesbian, or bisexual identity, the better
one's mental health and the higher one's self-esteem" ("Answers to Your Questions"
2) Although experiences differ from one person to another there are several models
psychologists have developed to describe the common similarities in coming out.
Most people, after identifying with themselves, come out in this order: "other gay,
lesbian, and bisexual peers, close heterosexual peers, close family members, and
finally, parents" ("Just the Facts" 3). Coming out is a very difficult time for
homosexuals because this is when discrimination and prejudices may arise. Homosexuals
"may also fear being rejected by family, friends, co-workers, and religious institutions."
("Answers to Your Questions" 2).
Religious institutions are a major contributor of homophobia and gay right opponents.
Religion, primarily Christianity, is one of the largest areas where incorrect assumptions
occur. Most people believe that Christianity condemns homosexuality. Most scholars
believe that the Bible does not actually condemn homosexuality, that translations
are inaccurate and misunderstood in context (Silver 55). In a rather humorous way
of stating it, Lynn Lavner once said, "The Bible contains six admonishments to homosexuality
and 362 admonishments to heterosexuals. That doesn't mean God doesn't love heterosexuals.
It's just that they need more supervision" ("Quotations" 1). The six admonishments
Lavner was referring to, are in the books of Leviticus, Corinthians, Genesis, Romans,
and the letters of Paul. The most common biblical references used by gay rights
opponents are found in Leviticus and the story of Sodom, recounted in Genesis. There
are two seemingly anti-gay references in Leviticus:
You shall not lie with a man as with a woman; it is an abomination. (Leviticus 18:22
qtd. In Silver 61)
If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination;
they shall be put to death; their blood is upon them. (Leviticus 20:13 qtd. In Silver
61)
At first these references seem to be blatant Biblical anti-gay statements, however,
scholars say they must be understood in context. Old Testament laws, such as these,
are routinely ignored. Some of these laws include eating shellfish, growing two
crops in the same field, and many more forbidding the combination of two separate
things (Silver 60-61). Methodist writer, Bruce Hilton, gives a good reason for this:
Taking these priestly codes literally in the twentieth century raises some real
problems... we don't feel condemned for wearing a shirt of 65 percent cotton and
35 percent Dacron, because that prohibition spoke well but specifically to a situation
no longer meaningful. We still deplore adultery, or cursing one's parents. But
we don't apply Levites' prescribed punishment: death by stoning. If we try to
apply these rules literally it seems to me we must apply them all, not picking and
choosing (qtd. In Silver 62).
Even the most fundamental Christian rarely follows the laws in the Old Testaments.
The other commonly used and commonly misinterpreted Biblical reference is the story
of Sodom, which is used so much to condemn homosexuality that anti-gay legislation
is commonly referred to as sodomy laws. The problem with the interpretation not
only comes from context, but from the translation. The common belief is that God
destroyed the city of Sodom because the dwellers were homosexual. "Many modern scholars,
however, believe this is an inaccurate translation of the original Hebrew. Scholars
also note that opponents ignore the fact that most Biblical references to Sodom
describe the city's sins as selfishness, arrogance, and inhospitality" (Silver
60). The three other Biblical references are:
For this cause God gave them up until vile affections; for even their women did
change the natural use into that which is against nature. (Romans 1:26 qtd. In Silver
62)
And likewise also to the men, leaving the natural use of the women, burned in their
lust one toward another, men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving
in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet. (Romans 1:27 qtd. In
Silver 62)
Know ye know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived;
neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers
of themselves with mankind. (Corinthians 6:9 qtd. In Silver 62)
The problem with these references are in translation. According to scholars, the
translations can be interpreted eight different ways, depending on the version of
the Bible . They also describe homosexual practices that do not exist anymore (Silver
62). Reverend Fred Pattison explains:
Let's face it. The Old Covenant religious leader, the priest of the Hebrews, could
not possibly conceive of healthy normal, God-centered same-sex relationship-why?
These priests had only been exposed to same-sex acts as practiced by their pagan
neighbors and that always in association with idolatrous religious worship.
To the Jews, and to us as well, such practices were blasphemy. To the Jews, homosexual
sexual practices were always associated with temple prostitution and that extremely
perverted forms; hence the only conclusion that could be arrived at was that all
homosexuality was evil, false, pagan, and against nature and God! (qtd. in Silver
63)
Ministers also argue that Christians should remember Jesus never condemned homosexuality
and the Gospels do not say anything about homosexuality.
Despite all the evidence that the Bible does not condemn homosexuality there is
still quite a number of people who use it to do just that and further try to use
it to make public policy. Writing laws based on the Bible is a dangerous idea. In
an article for Religion-Online, Jeffrey S. Siker said, "To use the Bible in public-policy
discussion is to take for granted that somehow it is the nation's book, that it
has a legitimate claim in the public arena. While this may be an accurate account
of the relationship between the Hebrew Scriptures and ancient Israel, it is not
true of the relationship between the Christian Bible and the United States" ("Bible
and Public Policy" 3). The idea that the Bible is in any way the "nation's book"
or that it should influence public policy is entirely unconstitutional. The Bible
has no place in determining civil rights for homosexuals
.
The question of civil rights for homosexuals should be as easy as civil rights for
women, African Americans or any other minority or targeted group. However, in the
United States, homosexuals cannot do a number of things heterosexuals can. In most
states homosexuals cannot legally get married, employers may decide not to hire
a homosexual based solely on sexual orientation, a landlord may decide not to rent
a house or apartment to a homosexual, and open homosexuals are not allowed to join
the military. Most states do not have laws against discrimination based on sexual
orientation. The book Created Equal: Why Gay Rights Matter to America contains a
strong opinion on why homosexuals do not have equal rights in America:
Homosexuality disqualifies an American for citizenship. Whatever rights someone
may enjoy on account of other identities, attributes, accomplishments, and positions
cannot ensure either the free exercise of individual liberty or equal protection
of the laws that a person is known to be lesbian or gay. American society still
automatically accepts homosexuality as a sufficient cause for deprivation of normal
civil rights, and American culture promotes the prejudice that sustains this second-class
citizenship (Nava and Dawidoff 1).
The reason that homosexuals do not have equal rights in a free country such as America
could be attributed to individual prejudices by various policy makers, judges, or
anyone with a hand in making legal decisions.
Recently the issue of same-sex marriage has come to the attention of Americans when
a Massachusetts court decision declared it legal for homosexuals to marry. Marriage
between homosexuals is not so much a religious matter as it is a legal one. Denial
of legal marriage between same-sex couples also denies same-sex couples rights and
benefits such as "Accidental death benefit for the surviving spouse of a government
employee, exemption of conveyance tax, division of property after dissolution of
marriage, appointment as guardian of minor" ("Marriage" 1-2). In a monogamous relationship
between two people it would seem these rights and benefits should be undeniable
no matter what sex the two people are.
Another legal issue for homosexual couples is raising children. It is a common belief
that children of homosexuals will be homosexuals themselves and by that token homosexuals
should not be allowed to raise children. This belief, however, "is nonsense, and
completely unsupported by fact... Numerous psychological and sociological studies
have shown that children raised by lesbian and gay men are no more likely to become
gay than those raised by non-gay parents" ("The Gay Parent" 1). It is also a common
belief that gay men abuse children. Many studies have also been conducted on this
issue and it has been reported that sexual orientation has nothing to do with child
abuse. There are many negative stereotypes for homosexual parents but all studies
conducted on the subject have proven that children who are raised by homosexuals
do not turn out any different than children raised by heterosexuals. ("The Gay Parent"
1).
As a homosexual living in this "real world" already knows, stereotypes, prejudices,
and discriminations are everywhere. However, not all homosexuals know that the majority
of them are unfounded and that there are many support groups and supportive people
out there. Organizations such as PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians
and Gays) offer support in every state in nearly every major city. Mainstream culture
has also become more accepting of homosexuals and this is evident with television
shows such as Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, Will &Grace, The L Word, and Queer
as Folk. Not to mention celebrities, such as Ellen DeGeneres, Rosie O'Donnell,
Angelina Jolie, George Michael, Ian McKellen, and Melissa Etheridge, are "coming
out of the closet" and still retaining their popular status. Homosexuals are certainly
receiving an abundance of attention compared to ten or fifteen years ago and it
is definitely easier to be gay today than it was then. Hopefully, if this progress
continues, being gay will no longer be a challenge. Until then, homosexuals will
have to continue to face the very real challenges of the real world.
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