"My own experience taught me much about 'choice ' in sexual orientation. I knew I was 'different ' at age 13, despite growing up in the relentlessly heterosexual America of the 1940s." This quote is from Patricia Nell Warren, she knew she was gay since she was 13 years old, however, instead of coming out she was forced to hind who she was. She ended up getting married at the age of 18 and remained married for 16 years, denying her inner reality. She even attempted therapy to rid herself for her homosexual feelings, but those failed as well leaving her helpless. After two decades of trying but failing to fit in the heterosexual lifestyle, she decided to "come out" at the age of 37 (Bily 2009). Her story is just one of many, displaying that homosexuality is not a choice, it is something that is felt from within and is there at a very early age, essentially birth. There are many studies being done today in order to prove that homosexuality is something acquired at birth and something that is apart of people. A part of them that they cannot change regardless of what others believe or what they try to do to stop themselves from being homosexual. Although there is no undeniable evidence concerning the initiation of sexual preference, there is significant historical and sociological support, that homosexuality is as natural as heterosexuality.
There have been actual studies done on the brain to prove that homosexuals have an aspect about them that differs from heterosexuals. One rather well known study on the difference between homosexual and heterosexual brain was performed by Simon Levay. Levay was a neurobiologist at the Salk Institute in La Jolla, California (Biological Causes of same-sex Attraction 2015), he focused his study on ...
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...s no reliable evidence supporting the effectiveness of conversion treatment, it is based on faulty assumptions, and can be harmful.
To conclude, homosexuality is a natural thing whether society believes it or not. It is found in nature around us. For example, the animal Bonobo, their females participates in GG-rubbing once every two hours or so (Roughgarden 2004). This would be considered homosexual behavior because it is female on female, Bonobo do this and this are not exposed to the same everyday experience as we are which means this behavior in innate to them. There are parts inside us that conclude who we are and if homosexuality is one of those things why can it not be accepted? Though some do chose to be homosexual, when one is presented with scientific fact and testimony from homosexuals, it quickly becomes obvious that there is no real choice in the matter.
In Brandon Ambrosino’s “I am Gay – but I Wasn't Born This Way”, the author states his reasoning as to why he believes he chose to be gay. Being one of the few who questions the born this way ideology, Ambrosino, along with other LGBTQ activists, are “cast as homophobic, and their thinking is considered backward”(par 10). However, just because an argument like this is popular, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s true. Even scientific organizations like the American Psychological Association (APA) believes that people have no control over their sexual orientations, however, no findings have been found that determine if sexual orientation is determined from hormones, genetics, or cultural influences(par 21), therefore contradicting the previous claim.
Many people cannot understand why anyone would want to get involved in homosexual activity. There are many arguments about homosexuality whether is by nature or nurture. Before we make judgments on homosexuality, we need to identify the causes of homosexuality. Homosexuality is caused by genetic, biological and environmental factors.
Society is created with both homosexual and heterosexual individuals. Previously when certain laws discriminated against others, such as law for women's rights to vote, these laws were changed. Changing the traditions of the country does not mean that it will lead to the legalization of other extreme issues. Each ...
Homosexuality has always played a huge role in society. Views on this topic have changed immensely from the beginning of the greece era to now in modern society. People have become more appalled with this topic because now in society there are stereotypical views on “normal” ways of living. Religious views have also impacted people's decisions and thoughts about it.
Sexuality over the years has been defined and reshaped in many ways by different researchers and experts. In the CNN article, “Being Gay is not a Choice,” James Hormel defines sexuality as something that you are born with and cannot hide or ignore your true identity. In the article, Hormel recalls the times in his life where he felt alone and when he hid the truth. Hormel goes on to state how he “spent the first 35 years of my life trying real hard not to be gay”(Hormel, pg. 1). However, despite Hormel 's views I disagree with this article in many ways as it shows little evidence on how someone could in fact be born gay. An individual decides his identity and sexuality, which in most cases is tied together with how one is raised and the environment in which one is raised in. John Hormel’s article on sexuality can be countered by an article written John D’Emilio. His article, “Capitalism
Recently, a plethora of research has been done on determining brain differences between homosexuals and heterosexuals. Simon LeVay's work on the anterior hypothalamus is the most widely discussed and debated research in the area of sexual orientation and neuroscience. This paper will examine Simon LeVay's research which declares that there is a physiological difference between the brains of heterosexual and homosexual men (5). Furthermore, it will discuss the shortcomings of his research and the n...
Homosexuality can be described as a romantic or sexual attraction or act between people of the same gender, and it can also be a term used to refer to a person's sense of identity based on the same attractions or behaviors. Homosexuality is among the three main categories of sexual orientation, alongside heterosexuality and bisexuality, and up to the present day, the scientists have not been able to know the factors that determine the sexual orientation of different people. Some of them, however, guess that sexual orientation of different people is caused by a complex interplay of the hormonal, genetic and environmental influences, and it is not a choice for the people concerned.
Osmond and Thorne (1993) stated that “heterosexuality has been long assumed to be the norm and other sexual practices have been deemed deviant” (p. 616). However, the norm has not ways suited everyone in our community and society. Some of the people in our society don’t see gender as man and woman, but in a different way. There has constantly been the issue that relationships and marriages are supposed to be with a man and woman, however, it seems as if that has changed over time. Now people believe that true love doesn’t necessary have to be with a man or woman, but with whoever they are attracted to. A feminist leader by the name of Adrienne Rich states “if heterosexuality were “natural” … there would be no need for the many deliberate and coercive efforts to channel individual in that direction” (Osmond & Thorne, 1993, p. 616). What Rich meant was if man and woman were supposed to be together naturally, why is there a need for a constant reminder that man and woman should do so. Rich also insinuated that women are born homosexual tendencies due to the erotic tie with their mothers. Whether this is valid or not this is a statement that needs a bit more research conducted on it, before making a bold statement as
The debate over homosexuality as nature or nurture dominates most topics about homosexuality. People often confuse the nature/nurture issue with the development of gay identity. In fact, the nature/nurture argument plays a small, insignificant role concerning gay youths (Walling 11). Homosexual identity is the view of the self as homosexual in association with romantic and sexual situations (Troiden 46) Many researchers have either discussed or created several models or theories concerning the development of homosexual identity. However, the most prominent is Troiden’s sociological four-stage model of homosexual identity formation. Dr. Richard R. Troiden desc...
From the moment people born, there are certain basic functions that will be with them throughout their lives. The abilities to eat, breathe, sleep, or to have the capacity to learn are a natural occurrence for most people. There are, however, traits that are specific to each individual. They are traits that set them apart from everyone else. The traits such as eye color, ones dominate hand, or susceptibility to a specific disease are a few traits that aren’t easily changed. However, there are some that are controversially questioned as to whether or not one is born with the trait or if it is a learned behavior. One of the biggest of these controversies is the question of whether sexual orientation is a choice or something that is beyond the individual’s influence. Although the evidence is commonly disregarded because of personal beliefs or opinions, sexual orientation is not a choice.
...l preference, and cognitive development have been tracked for these children into adulthood. Study after study have asked different questions in attempts to find similarities and differences in children raised in these two different family structures, but scientific consensus shows that there are no noticeable differences in children brought up by a gay or lesbian couple.
As humans, it is natural to shy away from things that are different than the norm; we discriminate. It is very important to rid oneself of discrimination to better clarify the decision at hand. To make a valid conclusion on homosexuality, it is essential for one to forget what they were taught when socialization occurred, mainly birth to adulthood. As an example: You were told as a young child to hate and not associate yourself with African Americans because of the color of their skin, because they are different. When you grow older, you obtain a six-figure job, but y...
In today's society, there exists a mixture of issues which tend to raise arguments with people all over. There are a handful of topics that always seem to escalate these differences between people to the point where one who earnestly participates in discussion, debate and argument can direct their anger towards their feelings on the person themselves. Some examples of such delicate subjects are the death penalty, abortion, and euthanasia. An issue that has in recent years, begun to increase arguments, is the acceptability of homosexuality in society. Until recently, homosexuality was considered strictly taboo. If an individual was homosexual, it was considered a secret to be kept from all family, friends, and society. However, it seem that society has begun to accept this lifestyle by allowing same sex couples. The idea of coming out of the 'closet' has moved to the head of homosexual individuals when it used to be the exception. Homosexuality is nothing to be ashamed of and we should all come to realize this.
Since the 1800's, psychiatrists and psychologists have concluded that homosexuality is a mental disorder. They have believed it is brought about by misguided upbringing and their social environments. For instance, it was believed that if the child was lacking a male - figure in the home, he would most likely be gay. Or that child abuse can lead to lesbianism when the special needs of a little girl are denied, ignored, or exploited and the future womanhood of the child is in risk. However, inconsistencies in the research subjects' abuse records ruled these theories out. And if this were the case, then why is homosexuality present in different cultures? Some believed homosexuality was caused by a difference in brain structure. In 1991, Simon LeVay published research stating that sexual orientation may be the result of differing brain structures. The hypothalamus, a region in the brain that governs sexual behavior, was the structure that LeVay was pointing as the structure at fault. In his studies of the hypothalamus, he found that in homosexual men, the hypothalamus was smaller than that of heterosexual men. Instead, it was the size of the female hypothalamus, consequently explaining their sexual tendencies.
There are individuals that live in fear of showing their true identity to the world because they simply fear that society won’t accept them for having a different sexual orientation. Society advocates that individuals should be able to be proud of who they are, but yet they judge homosexuals for being different. People are taught not to judge others based on their race or religion, so why do they still discriminate against homosexuals? The homosexual subculture is not accepted by society, looked down upon, and misjudged; however, they are human beings and deserve to be treated equally.