Behavioral Differences between Homosexuals and Gay Men

One theory that many psychologist and scientist are trying to prove is that homosexuality has a fundamental biological basis. Similar to most mammalian species, humans at conception are females (McKnight 22). Toward the end of the first trimester is when the babies with a “male genetic message” begin to have small doses of two hormones, chorionic gonadotropin and luteinizing hormone, which start the altering process of the gonads into testes (McKnight 22). The hormones two jobs are to control the sexual development and control their function (McKnight 22). When the brain starts to develop masculine characteristics and lose the feminine characteristics, the processes are separate and occur at different

In Stephen Mays’ essay “What about Gender Roles in Same-sex Relationships?” published in They Say I Say, the author discusses how people often assign gender roles automatically, even with gay and lesbian couples. Mays stresses the concept of femininity and masculinity, and also shows the difference in their roles, supports them with vivid imagery, and gives a rare example of gay male preferences, all while using the correct diction when referring to personal experiences. Although the author reiterates gender roles and their effect on same-sex relationships, he gives clear examples that support the idea of masculine or feminine qualities.

The behaviors and societal norms we associate with male and female are socially constructed. As Dr. Thompson states in the film “boys and girls are far more human and far more the same than they are different.” However,

Both sexual orientation and gender identity cover the areas between the male-typical and female-typical poles. These can also be classified as the binary genders. Homosexuality can be considered to be associated with gender-atypical behavior. At birth, a child’s sex is usually identified by the external genitalia and serves as the basis for the child’s life and gender role. There are those that wish to cross over the gender line completely by changing one’s legal gender status to the other, desired gender, or those who wish to conform one’s body to the desired gender by cross-gender hormone treatment and genital surgery. In many countries, some legal regulations for government action and insurance coverage require the proof of a clinical or psychopathological

Sex, gender or sexual orientation are a social construction. One of exemplified is the transsexual phenomenon. Transsexual has changed h/er natural body, for example, a man who feels has an identity as feminine, then changed h/er body to be female. Automatically, after sex as a biological fact has been turned into opposite then it will affect the change that determine the validity of such individuals to act in accordance with the provision of the fixed rules on sex, gender and sexual orientation. However, sex, gender and sexual orientation is liquid (fluid), not natural and it is changeable (and constructed by social conditions). Butler (1990) believes trans-gender and homosexuality are not social deviation, but a variation in the human identity that is based on a performative act (p.

There are many things in this day and age that could be defined as cultural landmarks - pivotal views and information around which our society revolves. While each of these can provide interesting and enlightening insights into our culture and social behavior, this article will be focusing on one I personally find exceedingly upsetting: gender identity. Since birth, we have been taught a certain kind of segregation - man and woman, mother and father, boys and girls - taught it as if it were fact, as if it were as concrete as a law of physics; more so, even. We are taught that gender and sex are synonyms, interchangeable, taught even less of gender divergence than we are of sexual orientation. However, recently in the media more and more prominent figures have come out as genderqueer, pushing the topic into general debate and the eyes of the public.

This is an exploration that will summarize and investigate the researched biology and science background comparing the neurological anatomy and science of a heterosexual and homosexual man through the studies; Simon LeVay, Roselli, Hamers, Sanders, Hansen. The perception of whether homosexuality conforms to the course of nature vs. nurture can influence the amount of scrutiny judged upon affected individuals. So, the purpose of this extended essay is to answer the research question of to what extent is there a biological basis with neurological structurally, genetically, hormonally, and prenatally behind male homosexuality and how an individual’s perception of this fact influences their behavior towards homosexuals. Furthermore, draw

Due to cultural assumptions about gender, sex research over the past two centuries has been centered around searching for expected answers to our societies eager questions about gender. Genetic research surrounding the sexes has been so intertwined with gender politics and stereotypes of gender norms that today, it is hard to differentiate sex and gender, Richardson in her book, Sex Itself outlines how genetic research has led to flawed ideas about sex and gender, which are now being reinforced with continuing genetic research that perpetuates these ideas of gender and sex chromosomes as a fixed binary, with huge influence on one’s behaviors, goals, and aspirations. Throughout the entirety of the book, Richardson examines how social norms affect

It is also necessary, before diving into the concepts of this paper, that I elucidate the terms which I will be using, as they are easily confused. Gender, in the context of this paper will describe the sets of culturally prescribed behaviors, actions, and functions assigned to a particular sex. Sex, when used as an adjective, will refer to the biological or "chromosomal" physical identity which separates males from females. Sexuality, like gender, will be used to define individuals on the basis of their cultural/social role within society, but not as an unchangeable feature of a person's identity. It is important to distinguish the meaning of these terms because as they are commonly used, they are usually considered synonyms in some way. By separating and elucidating their meanings, I hope to further press the queer theorist argument that gender and identity within one's sexuality are deeply imbedded in social influences.

According to Rathus, Nevid, and Fichner-Rathus, (2005) the term homosexuality denotes sexual interest in members of one’s own anatomic sex and applies to both_ _men and women. Homosexual males are often referred to as gay males and homosexual females or referred to as lesbians. Gay males and lesbians have existed throughout history. The historical and scientific perspectives on homosexuality have shaped the way gay individuals perceive themselves in various ways. These perspectives may also be beneficial to heterosexuals' understanding of others in our world of sexual diversity.

When analysing the current state of sociological attitudes toward gender and sexuality, the overwhelming conclusion is that the hegemonic view in society assumes an inherent binary (Lorber via Steele, 2005, p.75). We categorize people into two groups: male or female; man or woman; masculine or feminine; gay or straight. However, throughout humanity’s development, variances to that model have emerged, either choosing to sit somewhere between the binary, or reject the model altogether. These variations challenge the binary assumptions entrenched within society, and as a result, are often denied, misunderstood or ignored entirely.

Although Gender Identity Disorder (GID) and homosexuality has been in the American Psychiatric Association’s (APA) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) for many years, I was personally unaware of the controversy that surrounded it. I realized that I needed to educate myself in the issues and changes that have occurred in the DSM regarding GID and homosexuality over the years.

There are many situations in today’s society where individuals will face the gender role and sex dispute. Homosexuals are frequently associated within this dispute. A male homosexual often possesses feminine qualities and maybe seen as less masculine than a heterosexual male. Some female homosexuals are seen as more masculine and less relational compared to other heterosexual females. Homosexuality has become a very controversial topic in today’s society. The acceptance of homosexuality has grown since previous decades. What are some of the reasons for the growing acceptance of this lifestyle? Results from previous research done by Vincent, Parrot, and Peterson (2011) provided evidence that aggression towards gay men is motivated by gender role enforcement. Participants in this study completed several assessments before viewing a video of intimate behaviors between 2 gay men. Results concluded that the participants did not think the couples were not in compliance with the anti-femininity norm; causing sexual prejudice and aggression. The results confirm that when analyzing the acceptance of homosexuals there are multiple factors that must be analyzed.

According to figures from 2013 the National Health Interview Survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (as cited by Volokh, 2014), 2.4 percent of the United States inhabitants happen to be gay, lesbian, and bisexual. In some countries, most of them are considered deviant or sometimes twerp, which makes them beyond endurance depressed. Fortunately, in our present world, there are more acceptances toward those who are sexual deviances than earlier. They are able to acquire fundamental opportunities like the others do. As it turns out, their capabilities are not different from those heterosexual. This article is important for further studies in homosexuality and heterosexuality. Some people might believe that there are similarities in the brain between homosexual and

As evident from the generalized patterns found in differences in behaviour and outlook observed between the sexes, it may be tempting, as has been done in the past, to conclude that gender is an unavoidable aspect of human existence as determined purely from one 's genes. Indeed, human physiology is subject to sexual dimorphism; statistically significant differences in brain size and rate of maturation of specific substructures in the brain exist between males and females (Giedd, Castellanos, Rajapakese, Vaituzis, & Rapoport, 1997), yet these physical differences fail to explain how individuals form their concept of their own gender, and why they tend to conform to their perceived gender roles as defined by the society in which they live, when these roles are ever-changing. Thus, it is important to differentiate between the physical and nonphysical traits, and how the labels of femininity and masculinity should not confuse the two aspects. As defined by Unger (1979), “sex” would be used to refer to the biological differences in males and females, while “gender” describes socioculturally determined, nonphysiological traits which are arbitrarily designated as being appropriate for either females or males. With more recent awareness and interest in matters of gender nonconformity and individual gender identity, new research now explains how these concepts of gender are shaped by social influences (Perry