The term ‘homosexuality’ was coined in the late 19th century by
a German psychologist, Karoly Maria Benkert. Although the term is new, discussions
about sexuality in general, and same-sex attraction in particular, have occasioned
philosophical discussion. Perhaps the most significant recent social change
involving homosexuality is the emergence of the gay liberation movement. With
the rise of the gay liberation movement in the post-Stonewall era, gay and lesbian
perspectives began to be put forward in politics, philosophy and literary theory.
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Starting from this movement, many questions have emerged. Scientists have been
trying to give accurate answers ever since, so that the wide audience may not
be mislead by misconceptions. For instance, just as there is no such thing as
a single heterosexual lifestyle, there is no such thing as a single gay lifestyle.
Anti-gay activists have promoted the idea that the lives of homosexuals revolve
around sex and the pursuit of sexual encounters, and that the only identity
homosexuals have is with being gay. To anti-gay organizations this is the only
gay lifestyle that exists, and they do their best to promote this misconception.
In reality, the lives of gays and lesbians are as varied as the lives of heterosexuals.
Some choose to live in long term committed relationships, others choose to remain
single. Some couples choose to raise children, others do not. Hobbies, occupations
and activities are just as varied as within the heterosexual population. Anna
Quindlen gave an interview to the “New York Times” pleading that:
“those who want to prove that homosexuality is a deviant lifestyle are
anxious to show that the demands are disproportionate to the number of demanders,
as though the right to be fairly treated depended on a head count…”
Contrary to popular belief, gay men and lesbians are no more inclined to be
consumed with sexual thoughts or feelings than their heterosexual counterparts
nor are they attracted to everyone of the same sex they meet. The lives of homosexuals,
like the lives of heterosexuals are about much more than sex, but it's easy
to see why people believe these common misconceptions. Many people do not even
realize that they know someone who is gay. Consequently, their only knowledge
of homosexuality comes from the media or out-spoken anti-gay organizations,
neither of which is likely to show the average gay person or couple. The media
is in the business of selling news, and radical behavior of any kind sells.
Anti-gay organizations are in the business of making gay people appear as hedonistic
as possible. They will obviously focus their attention on the most radical behavior
that can be found within the gay community.
What the majority of gay people object to has nothing to do with the values
families wish to instill in their children, but rather the narrow definition
of family certain organizations wish to promote. The idea of a father, a mother,
and their children, as being the only legitimate type of family is unrealistic
in our society. Single parent families, step families, adoptive families, extended
families, and gay and lesbian families are all valid family units and deserve
to be recognized as such. Traditional values such as love, compassion, responsibility,
honesty, integrity, self-reliance, accountability, and respect are values most
parents wish to instill in their children, regardless of sexual orientation.
Those most concerned with homosexuality, positively or negatively, are those
most engaged with natural law theorists arguing for gays and lesbians having
a reduced legal status. Yet as the foregoing also clearly shows, the policy
and legal debates surrounding homosexuality involve fundamental issues of morality
and justice. Perhaps most centrally of all, they cut to issues of personal identity
and self-definition. Hence it is possible for this issue never to be completely
solved.