The Sexual Identity Of Homosexual People

Many Christians have picked out “clobber” passages or verses in the Bible that are supposed to undoubtedly condemn homosexuality. However, these fool-proof “clobber” passages have been contested, such as 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 put upon them.” Many conservative Christians interpret this as damning homosexuality indefinitely; many liberal Christians claim it condemns gay ritual sex in a temple and males having sex in a womans bed. Another verse, Leviticus 18:22, “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.” Again, conservative Christians take this is as condemning evidence but progressive Christians take it as, again, a verse condemning gay ritual sex in a Pagan temple or men having sex in a woman's bed.

It was not until the twelfth century that homosexuality started to be condemned. This condemnation proved to live through then until now. Due to the fact that America incorporated these early views into its early laws, even the most bland of today's sex acts were seen as unlawful (“Homosexuality and Mental Health”). Since then, these laws have changed, however, there is still a primarily negative connotation on homosexuals when coming from a church or legal standpoint concerning the masses of America.

During the 1980’s indulging in homosexual activity was considered in crime, people were imprisoned when caught doing so. But in 2003 some parts of the United States, suspended the law, and made homosexuality legal, soon European countries such as Canada, Belgium, and Netherlands passed an act which approved of homosexual weddings (Bonvillain 2006). If one digs deeper into this issue, where these debatable, one can find that it roots back from religions. Most religion disapprove of homosexuality but in religions such as Hindu, for sexuality, scriptures of homosexual activity only stated that it was normal and natural, to be attracted to the same sex (Bonvillain 2006). But in today’s society the main issue is regarding the issue of males being attracted to each other, an example of this issue is ‘Homophobia of men’. Homosexuality is considered to be a cultural construct, which apart from the ‘lesbian identities’ gave rise to the ‘gay identities’ (Herek 1986). It is common for normal men, to avoid influencing with homosexual men, as they fear what the public might think of them being judged as not ‘masculine’, where as its more normal for woman to associate with lesbians or homosexual women, as they are not being judged by the rest of the females (Herek 1986). Studies showed, that the social construction of gay identities meant that there was something psychologically wrong with that person,

Reforming Sodom unravels the origins of homosexuality in relation to the Protestant Bible. White opens the reading by stating that the word “homosexuality” first appeared in the Revised Standard Version Bible in 1946. From this fact, we are left wondering why there was this change in verbiage and what did the Bible say prior to 1946. White seeks to answers these questions and in doing so, she challenges scholars to think critically about religious texts. Throughout, White exemplifies other works that align with her notion of sexuality and religion intertwining; Rebecca Davis’ My Homosexuality

Not just a century ago, there was an act that was considered heresy; homosexuality, a different side of sexuality found in all recesses of history. Humans are not the only ones with evidence of homosexuality in their species, it has long been debated whether it was formed from being genetically born that way or nurtured. The long found history has been only puzzling as the two sides of the spectrum in views, and only being publicly accepted in the 1940s. In Natasha Tracy’s article “Why Are People Gay? Gay By Choice or Is Being Gay Genetic?” where she goes on to discuss the legitimacy of its authenticity in being a homosexual. From the views of being born or in fact the way humans are brought up determines their sexuality, criticizing in the end the matter of sexuality is a matter to the individual and should not be criticized in any way.

We have all at some point or another heard someone say that God made Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve. This saying is an excellent example of how a large number of Christian fundamentalist feel about the homosexual community. Studies have shown that there are more Christian homophobes than there is homophobia in any other group or religion in the United States (Wolff, J. R., Himes, H. L., Kwon, E., & Bollinger, R. A., 2012). Homophobia is the irrational fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against homosexuality or homosexuals. In Christianity, homophobia represents misunderstanding and fear of the unknown.

This paper examines the social aspects of the sexual identity in America, illustrating how sexual identities have progressed, evolved, and transformed. Social categories have been created as a tool used for social divide and control, inadvertently creating stereotypical facts and discriminatory opinions on sexes; while also helping create social and welcoming communities, whose goals are to diminish ideals such as those. Concluding, this paper will have explained the dichotomous categories of different sexualities and the divides within them. The already established sexual divide leaves no room for those stuck in the in between of today's society, especially one as progressive as America’s. Derived from the examples giving, this paper argues

Now, when is talk about that there is ignorance in this type of situation, it is necessary to take into account that this ignorance came from the type of action that many usually takes when the they know about this issue in certain individuals who are facing this issue, and sadly the first action taken is to judge them, and discriminating against others. However, what is most unfortunately is when this comes directly from the church, which often does not give them any hope of restoration to their issue of same-sexual attraction.

Religious fundamentalism can be a powerful force, and in most cases homosexuality is taught to be morally wrong. There is a equally strong need for a more inclusive and accepting society where people are equally valued no matter the individuals sexual nature, race, social status, or religious beliefs.

The topic of homosexuality has been a very hot topic over the past several decades. The term homosexuality can be defined as the “sexual desire or behavior towards a person or persons of one’s own sex” (“Homosexuality”). There are many people who either agree or disagree with the aspect of homosexuality, and there are others who are indifferent. Many Christian churches around the world, especially in the United States, have stated their opinion against homosexuality. They based their beliefs in the verses in 1st Corinthians 6: 9-10, which says, “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor

A major reason for the fear and objection towards homosexuality is organized religion. Whether we notice it or not, we as humans follow many everyday concepts from the Bible. Examples would be, to not steal, murder, or commit adultery in marriage. The Bible also states that homosexuality is unethical and should be avoided as other sins. These are all great to follow, if you conform to the rules of the Bible. Religious back up should not be used in order to deem something wrong or unethical. It is essential to understand, to deem homosexuality ethical or not, rational decision-making must occur. One must analyze the pros and cons; if the pros outweigh the cons, homosexuality is ethical, and visa versa. One who explicitly follows an organized religion must follow the rules of a higher power (God). Getting rid of this obstacle will leave room for autonomous decisions on homosexuality, and eventually its place in good ethics.

Homosexuality is not a 20th century situation but has been in history from the age of ancient Rome, Greece, Egypt, and even China. The attitude toward homosexuality always has been a variable, depending on the social, cultural and morality, or even the political development (Barnecka et al., 2005). Back in Greek history the concept of relations between two men was seen as the highest form of love, whereas the Judaic view always was against and frowned upon these relations considering it immoral and illegal. However, when the Roman rule was destroyed and the Christians took over Europe, homosexuality was seen as perverse (Woodward, 1997).

Sexual identity is social and cultural. Society defines the different sexual categories and teaches us what characteristics these individuals and groups should display. The public labels these people and their behaviors as normal or abnormal—right or wrong. Through the years, heterosexuality, or an attraction to the opposite sex, has been viewed as right and normal according to society. It is evident that social institutions regulate and effect the sexuality that the population exhibition; for example, it is common for families to set gender norms, exhibiting a portrait of the standard of a man, woman, and child. Religions have rules about many aspects of sexuality, for example, the idea that homosexuality and sex outside of marriage is wrong; as well as the media and medical community influences sexuality (Seidman, Fischer, and Meeks, 2006). For example, it is still a common cultural belief that a women’s virginity must be protected for love and be cherished—which can contribute to the new trend of selling your virginity for thousands to millions of dollars: a woman’s virginity is sacred and pure, therefore fetishized. This belief can lead to women believe they are devalued as they accept more sexual partners. In fact, that is very commonly taught in sexual education around the United States; sexual active girls being compared to a chewed piece of gum or a loose, dirty shoe. Men, however, are on the opposite end of the same scale. They wish to lose their virginity as soon

In the early hours on June 28, 1969, police stormed into the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar and refuge. The police began to batter the people inside the bar and arrested thirteen others. As the violence escalated, bottles, coins, and stones were thrown at the police. Activist Sylvia Rivera was one of the first to throw a bottle into the ranks of police officers; she exclaimed, “It’s the Revolution!” Those bottles thrown in retaliation to discrimination and assault marked the beginning of a movement to bring about rights and acceptance for the LGBT community. My metaphorical bottles were thrown timidly under the table at first, but now, they sail across the sky in a perfect arc and crash against the constrictions placed around the rights of LGBT Americans, the constrictions once placed around me. The journey I’ve been undergoing since discovering my sexuality has been one similar to a labyrinth with all of its dead ends and confusion. My journey has undergone an immense amount of evolution that has transformed me into the person I am today.

Homosexuality has been prevalent throughout history for many centuries. It is only until recently, people have started to go more in depth on how it was practiced throughout the years. A German philosopher, Karoly Maria Benkert, was the first person to coin the term ‘homosexuality’ towards the end of the 19th century (Pickett). Although the word itself is fairly new, the physical act of homosexuality is not. People did not consider to describe themselves in terms of who they were sexually attracted to like they do now. Societal perspectives and attitude towards same sex relations have varied over time as well. A root cause of homophobia stems from religious superstitions and the rise of Christianity during the Roman Empire. Beginning with simple