Homosexuality Essay -- Sexual Orientation Homosexuals Essays

Homosexuality Homosexuality is the sexual orientation toward people of the same sex. This contrasts with heterosexuality, which is being attracted with individuals of the opposite sex. Female homosexuals are referred to as Lesbians. In recent years, the term gay has been applied to both homosexual women and men. Homosexuality appears in virtually all-social contexts – "within different community settings, socioeconomic levels, and ethnic and religious groups" (Web Page #2). Although the number of homosexuals in the population is difficult to determine, a safe estimate is that approximately 2 to 4 percent of men may apply themselves to the term homosexual. Through the years the general acceptance of the previously labeled unorthodox, sexual preference has varied. The extremes include brutality towards gays too as far as a homosexual holding a public office while declaring his sexual preference. Attitudes toward homosexual behavior have varied in the time and place of history. In Greece, homosexual relations were acceptable and in certain cases, expected activity in certain segments of society. The term lesbian is derived from an erotic poet named Sappho. Sappho was quite frank about her affairs with men and women. Much of her poetry dealt with her homosexual liaisons. Because of this the term lesbian was adopted after Sappho’s home island of Lesbos. Later attitudes in the Western world were determined largely by prevailing Judeo-Christian moral codes, which treat homosexuality as immoral and sinful. But like many other sins, homosexual relations were seen as expressions of the weakness inherent in all human beings, and not as a ment... ...o legitimize discrimination against homosexuals. In the 1990’s some U.S. states tried to restrict laws that protect homosexuals from discrimination. With homosexuals increasing by the acceptance by the general population, one may ponder on how this effects humans versus nature. The human race is far perplexed by their doing to fathom what characteristics cause us to defy or obey nature. The real question is: How well does the human race understand nature and it’s genius. If the world slows it’s progression for a slight variety of sexuality, then who says we’re advanced? In order to thoroughly comprehend how the human race is able to exist in the most efficient, and environmentally supportive manner, one is forced to focus on our similarities rather than our differences. Sources Cited http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761562012/Homosexuality.html