HOMOSEXUALITY
What is homosexuality?
What causes homosexuality?
Is it a mental or emotional illness?
Do homosexuals have different feelings?
What are some of the myths surrounding homosexuality?
What is the legal status of homosexuality in India?
What
is homosexuality?
Sexual orientation is a component of adult sexuality characterised by
attraction towards members of a particular gender. Homosexuality is a sexual
preference wherein a person feels sexually attracted to another person of the
same sex. It is not a sexual perversion, nor is it a disease. Just like most
people are attracted to members of the opposite sex and are called
heterosexuals, a minority is attracted to members of the same sex and are
called homosexuals.
In colloquial usage, a homosexual is also called 'gay'. 'Lesbian' is a specific
term for homosexual women while homosexual men are usually called gay.
Homosexuals experience similar feelings of love, attraction and romance like
heterosexual individuals, the difference being that the feelings are felt
towards a same-sex person.
All individuals have basic sexual rights which should not be violated. Some of
them are:
· Freedom of sexual
thought, fantasy or desire.
· Right to sexual
entertainment.
· Right NOT to be
exposed to sexual material or behaviour.
· Right to engage
in consensual sexual activity.
What causes homosexuality?
The exact nature of the development of sexual orientation and preferences is
still not known. It is not clear whether sexual preferences result from genetic
causes or are moulded by the environment in which a child grows up. Though some
research studies have suggested that homosexuality is genetic and is present at
birth, there is no conclusive evidence to prove it. Studies conducted on twins
have shown that if one of the twins is homosexual, there is a more than 50%
chance that the other twin will also be gay. Some studies have also shown that
there is a difference in the brains of homosexuals and heterosexuals.
There have been other studies to prove that homosexuality develops as a result
of complex interactions between a child's social, psychological and
physiological environment. The realisation whether an individual is homosexual
or not, usually dawns after puberty. Just like heterosexuality, homosexuality
is also an alternative way of life.
Is it a mental or emotional illness?
Homosexuality, historically had been considered a sin and a sexual abnormality.
Till the 1970's it was considered a mental aberration and homosexuals were
shunned in public life. Thus most homosexuals were afraid to reveal their
sexual preference and were called 'closet homosexuals'. In 1973, the American
Psychiatric Association removed homosexuality from the list of mental
disorders.
Homophobia is the hatred or disgust that some people feel towards homosexuals.
Homophobics refuse to be associated with homosexuals and have very rigid
negative feelings for them. Homosexuals on the other hand may harbour anger
towards heterosexuals for marginalizing them.
Do homosexuals have different feelings?
Homosexuals are not different human beings and do not have feelings any
different from heterosexuals. However, since they are in a minority, they may
develop a low self esteem because of the constant shunning by society. Most
homosexuals in
What are some of the myths surrounding homosexuality?