Heterosexual Vs Gay

The meaning gay has changed tremendously over time. In the past, the term gay was not used as frequently and as freely as it is used today. The term originated from the Old French and dates back to the 1600s, “Deriving ultimately from Germanic source” (Wikipedia). The word means “Joyful, carefree, bright and showy” (Wikipedia). Gay also means to be “Addicted to social pleasure and dissipations,” as a noun “of a person:

Heterosexism, according to Warren J. Blumenfeld, is the system of advantages given to heterosexuals based on the social construct of gender roles and heterosexual norms, while marginalizing and oppressing homosexuals and others who do not fit into the heterosexual culture (373). The enforcement of this system is known as heteronormality. This is seen in the binary system, which is a social construct that divides people into different strictly bordered categories organized by “social roles, values, stereotypes, and behavioral and attitudinal imperatives, expressions, and expectations” (Blumenfeld 373). Those who stick to the binary system, maintain power and privilege. People who may live in the binary system, but also intentionally

The word “gay” has gone through drastic changes. Traditionally, it was a positive term that meant to be “happily excited” or “jolly” (Merriam Webster, “Gay”). It was used regularly to express one’s feelings about life. Today, it has a far different meaning. Now people use the word gay to label homosexuals, those with feminine qualities, or those who do something thought to be outside of the norm for their gender. “Being gay” went from expressing someone’s happiness to describing his sexual preference. The definition of gay has changed so much that its original meaning has become archaic and lost to the times.

It is a fair assumption to say that America is approaching a new age in understanding and accepting the many variations of human sexual orientation. More same-sex couples have fostered children than ever before in our nation 's history. Institutions such as military and professional sports have (slowly but surely) began to accept openly gay members. Most importantly, a recent amendment to the Marriage Act of 1961 now defines marriage as a union of two people; an amendment which removed the prohibition of same-sex marriages. These landmarks in the progression of social awareness surrounding sexual orientation are derivative of scientific findings disputing the "choice" theory. As outlined in Simon LeVay 's book, Gay, Straight, and the Reason Why, the result of someone 's sexual orientation "emerges from the prenatal sexual differentiation of the brain" (LeVay 2011: 271) What LeVay means in this context is, "whether a person ends up gay or straight depends in large part on how this process of biological differentiation goes forward, with the lead actors being genes, sex hormones, and the brain systems" (LeVay 2011: 271). Much research, proven and theoretical, has been done on the concept of what makes people gay. Many factors surrounding socialization in regards to sexual orientation have undergone extensive scientific scrutiny (LeVay 2011: 77). Although there is evidence that suggests social and environmental elements play a role in sexual orientation, it is

Homosexuality is defined or characterized as attraction towards the same gender either male or female. It came from the Greek language, where “homo” means the same or similar, hence referring to the attraction between two beings of the same sex. Homosexuality is also referred as a clinical term. Most male homosexuals generally prefer to be called "gay men" and most homosexual women generally prefer to be called "lesbians." Homosexuality is one of the three main categories of sexual orientation, alongside bisexual and heterosexual. The longstanding consensus of the behavioral and social sciences and the health and mental health professions is that homosexuality is an example of normal and positive variation in human sexual

Originating all the way back to the 12th century of England, “gay” meant happy, carefree or joyful. Fast forward to the 21th century and the definition was altered to mean homosexuals and dumb

The acronym LGBT has expanded over time to include other identities, becoming LGBTQ+. Whereas heterosexuality means that a person is attracted to the opposite sex, homosexuality mean that one is attracted to the same sex. Bisexuality means that one is attracted to both men and women; however the attraction is not always fifty-fifty; in fact, one can like one gender

On the other hand, the term “homosexual” can be defined as individuals attracted to other individuals of the same sex (“homosexual”). Eric Marcus states,

It is important to understand and reference correctly the different terms that people use to identify their orientation. The chapter provided excellent clarity for the terminology used to classify sexual orientation, a person’s emotional and sexual attractions, relationships, self-identity, and behavior (346). Here are a few of the terms used, heterosexuality (attraction to those of the opposite sex); bisexuality

The word “homosexual” did not come around until 1869 when a “German pamphlet advocating the repeal of an anti-sodomy law” was circulated in Prussia. Those who fell under that category did their best to appear as masculine or feminine as possible as to avoid suspicion and

Its undeniable that one of the many hot topics now a days is homosexuality/sexual orientation and like any sort of debate of any kind the first response is to clump it into a group thats commonly defined so that everyones on the same ground. The only problem with that is especially for something like sexual orientation trying to clump such a complex concept is unfair because things often get misunderstood or left out because sexual orientation is a lot more than a simple yes/no right/wrong answer.

​Etymologically, the word homosexual is a hybrid of Greek and Latin words, thus connoting acts of sexual behavior between members of the same sex. The word ‘homosexual’ is controversial in itself as it refers to only one’s sexual behavior as opposed to the romantic feelings and thus, people attribute the term ‘gay’ and ‘lesbian’ as appropriate. Homophilia, also means the love and sensibilities between the same sex people.

Homosexuals ,lesbians, and gays are all names given to people who make the choice to be different from society’s unwritten rules. They ignore the testaments that obstruct their god-given right to love. Sexual Orientation determined by choice because anyone can make the decision to ignore straight tendencies, sexual orientation is a matter of self-affirmation, if homosexuality was more socially acceptable there would not be a reason to research if the act of being “gay” is genetic.

The process of asylum itself can be tool for creating trauma, in the hands of untrained adjudicator becomes a weapon that tears apart these vulnerable, traumatized, LGBT asylum-seekers and leaves lasting wounds that may never see a mental healthcare practice. The issue centers around the focus on the homosexual identity over homosexual acts, and the burden to prove this western, homosexual identity. Homosexual practices are analyzed with scrutiny and many times prejudice to no avail. Closeted, bisexual, and those of non-binary gender identities are downright rejected or humiliated in asylum court for not conforming to the standard homosexual identity. The literature review reveals stories of gay men and lesbian women being rejected on the

Homosexuality is defined as a predominant sexual attraction to persons of the same gender. For example, men being sexually attracted to other men and women being sexually attracted to other women (Exodus Global Alliance, 2017). Heterosexuality however, is the opposite of homosexuality. A heterosexual person has a sexual attraction to a person of the opposite sex, as opposed to an individual of the same sex. In Western society, heterosexuality has been constructed to be viewed as the norm, this however was not always the case. Sociologist Michel Foucault coined the term ‘homosexuality’ arguing that homosexuality was not discovered but produced. “Homosexuality appeared as one of the forms of sexuality when it was transposed from the practice of sodomy onto a kind of interior androgyny, a hermaphrodism of the soul.” Following on from the invention of the term known as homosexuality, medical doctors invented a counter-position, heterosexuality. Although same-sex relationships existed prior to the invention of this terminology, it encouraged people to identify themselves and others differently (Angel Daniel Matos, 2013). As a result, the judgment of gender and