Essay/Term paper: Homosexuality

Essay, term paper, research paper:  Sex

This article discusses some of the points and facts of homosexuality today. This particular piece does not express my convictions on this issue. I am neither condoning nor condemning homosexuality. My purpose is to enlighten and inform without partiality. Do not think that the data given below is sufficient enough to support or oppose the subject matter involved.

What is homosexuality?
The more appropriate question would be – What is sexual orientation? and what determines it?
Sexual orientation is an affectional affinity towards another person. It can be expressed through sexual behavior or repressed. There are several factors which can determine sexual orientation. Most scientists now agree that it"s a mesh of environmental, cognitive and biological factors. There"s even some evidence now that it could be inborn or genetic. In summary, there"s about as causes for sexual orientation as there are people in this world.
Sexual orientation is not a choice. It is formed at a very early age before any sexual experience is encountered. Although, there are people who do choose not to act on it if it is contrary to society"s beliefs.
And no, homosexuality is not a mental illness or an emotional problem. This notion was caused by biased information from some mental health professionals and also from society. In 1973 the American Psychiatric Association confirmed the importance of the new, better designed research and removed homosexuality from the official manual that lists mental and emotional disorders. Two years later, the American Psychological Association passed a resolution supporting the removal.
Some terms:
Transgendered- gender identity is in contrast to the physical sex.
ex. A woman trapped in a man"s body.
Transexual – A person who undergoes surgery to alter physical sex.
Transvestites – A person who wears garments of the opposite sex.
Gay Gene?
There has been no hard evidence regarding the existence of a "gay gene". Although there have been many claims, most of them are unsubstantiated. An extensive research on this would require thousands of subjects in order to trace heredity. Even in the midst of several research programs, it is still not possible to resolve that homosexuality is genetic because this is not as simple as a trait such as eye-color.
Cure?
There is no magic pill nor drug to remove homosexuality. However, there have been several therapies conducted by psychiatrists to convert gays. This therapy is commonly called "reparative therapy". According to the American Psychological Association, conversion therapy is not only ineffective but also dangerous. Stotland, chair of psychiatry at Rush Medical College in Chicago, said "There is no evidence that sexual orientation can be changed. The very existence of therapy that is supposed to change people's sexuality, even for people who don't take it, is harmful because it implies that they have a disease,''

Homophobia
Homophobia is the unsubstantiated fear, disgust or hatred for people who are gay or for your own homosexual feelings. Translated into behavior, homophobia can equate to telling "faggot" jokes, graffiti, verbal and physical harassment and discriminatory policies such as denial of health, retirement and housing benefits.
The Christian Gay theology:
While some homosexuals do not even bother with religion, there are those who believe that Love is the primary religion. They take the word "whosoever" in the Bible as a strong indication of God"s love and acceptance for them but this of course does not excuse promiscuity. There are those who still honor monogamous relationships even if it is with the same sex.
From the Metropolican Church Community website:
The rarity with which Paul discusses any form of same-sex behavior and the ambiguity in
references attributed to him make it extremely unsound to conclude any sure position in the
New Testament on homosexuality, especially in the context of loving, responsible
relationships. Since any arguments must be made from silence, it is much more reliable to
turn to great principles of the Gospel taught by Jesus Christ and the Apostles. Love God with
all your heart, and love your neighbor as yourself. Do not judge others, lest you be judged. The
fruit of the Holy Spirit is love...against such there is no law.
One thing is abundantly clear, as Paul stated in Galatians 5:14: "the whole Law is fulfilled in
one statement, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"
From the Vatican website:
Especially when the practice of homosexual acts has not become a habit, many cases can benefit from appropriate therapy. In any case, persons in this situation must be accepted with respect, dignity and delicacy, and all forms of unjust discrimination must be avoided. If parents notice the appearance of this tendency or of related behaviour in their children, during childhood or adolescence, they should seek help from expert qualified persons in order to obtain all possible assistance.
For most homosexual persons, this condition constitutes a trial. "They must be accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfil God's will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition". "Homosexual persons are called to chastity".
Bible Excerpts:
Romans 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
Leviticus 18:22, Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.
Leviticus 20:13 If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have
committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.
Luke 14:26-27 If any one comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple.



News and Stats
Primary gay religions :
Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Paganism and Unitarian-Universalism
Percentage of Homosexuals:
10% of the population (accdg. to Kinsey Institute)