Understanding Homosexuality

Warning: Some material in the following context may be offensive to some readers.

The Greek civilization in particular considered it quite natural for young men to have older mentors with whom sexual interaction was accepted. A similar example was reported in Rome too, with the well-known "Satyricon" by Petronius Arbiter, in which a common acceptance of pedophilia is also described. There was no serious inquiry into the causes of sexual orientation, because there was relatively little awareness of it as a concept; people were free to follow their personal inclinations.

Estimates of the prevalence of homosexuality vary considerably with the definition of what "homosexuality" actually is. Some consider its most important aspect to be sexual behavior between members of the same-sex ("homosexual acts"), while others stress inclination or orientation. Three primary definitions are same-sex sexual activity, same-sex sexual inclination, and same-sex sexual identity. These may be further divided. For example, sexual behavior may occur among persons of the same-sex who do not themselves identify as "homosexual". Conversely, persons who identify as same-sex loving are not always sexually active, whether due to necessity, circumstances, or personal choice. Similarly, a person may have same-sex sexual thoughts or inclinations without ever acting on them or regarding themselves as having a same-sex sexual orientation. All of these might fall under the umbrella of "homosexuality", and may or may not be included in research surveys.

Causes of sexual orientation

Once homosexual desire or behavior has been singled out for attention, and especially negative attention, the question naturally arises: What makes people this way? For many years the common assumption, shared by many scientists and religious communities, was that the natural and normal human sexual orientation is exclusively for the opposite sex (heterosexual). Sexual studies carried out during and after the 1950s lead psychologists and doctors to recognize homosexuality as a second exclusive orientation. Since then similar acceptance has grown for non-exclusive orientations, such as bisexuality. The causes of sexual orientation are currently under investigation. The general understanding that seems to be emerging is that rather than a single cause being involved, there is instead a symphony of factors that act over a long time to determine each individual's sexual orientation. Nurture, nature, or some combination of the two are often thought to determine human sexual behavior.

The causes of sexual orientation have been the subject of much attention and research in recent years. Usually, research on sexual orientation has been focused on causes of homosexuality. This tendency is largely because heterosexuality has traditionally been considered "normal" and homosexuality an aberration.

Research, and the experience of non-heterosexuals, suggests that sexual orientation is set in early childhood and perhaps in some individuals even earlier. Studies of homosexual identical twins suggest that when one twin is homosexual that there is a 40 to 60 percent chance that the other twin will also be homosexual. In fraternal twins the figure is 15 to 30 percent. For same-sex non-twin siblings the figure is 5 to 10 percent, or roughly the background level.

In surveys of gay men and lesbians, the majority assert that they were born that way. Most of them report that they knew they were "different" from an early age, often by puberty and not uncommonly in prepubescence. Instances of individuals stating that they chose to be gay are extremely rare. This and other anecdotal evidence gives little concrete proof either way, but it is considered by many to be strongly indicative of the likelihood that orientation is not a choice.

Some people, primarily Christians and most often fundamentalists, advocate the view that people's sexual orientation follows from their behavior: e.g., if they try homosexual acts, they might like them and thereby acquire a homosexual orientation. In fact some also believe that a heterosexual orientation is formed in the same way, and that the only genetic element is in the basic underlying sexual desire.

Some people who are in general heterosexual may have mild or occasional interest in members of their own sex. Conversely, many people who identify themselves as homosexual, or who might prefer homosexual activities or relationships, have engaged in heterosexual activities or even have long-term heterosexual relationships. Such heterosexual behavior by people who otherwise show homosexual behavior has often been part of being "in the closet," or concealing one's homosexual orientation, and may be becoming less common as acceptance of homosexuality increases.

Sexual activity with a person of the same-sex, in and of itself, does not necessarily demonstrate homosexual orientation, but is considered homosexual behavior. Not all who are attracted to or have sexual relationships with members of the same-sex identify themselves as homosexual or even bisexual. Some people frequently have sex with members of the same-sex yet still see themselves as heterosexual. It is important therefore to distinguish between homosexual behavior, homosexual attraction, and homosexual identity, which need not coincide. For example, people in prison, the military, or other sex-segregated environment may engage in situational homosexual behavior despite being heterosexual outside these environment. In addition, some people engage in homosexual behavior for reasons other than desire. One example is male prostitutes (often called hustlers) who earn money by having sex with other men: while some hustlers are homosexual themselves, a significant number are not.

Various forms of same-gender sexual activity is prohibited under law in many areas. Usually, though not always, such laws are termed sodomy laws, but also include issues such as age of consent laws, "decency" laws, and so forth. Laws prohibiting same-gender sexuality have varied widely throughout history, varying by culture, religious and social taboos and customs, etc. Often such laws are targeted or applied differently based on gender as well. For example, laws against same-gender sexual behavior in England during the reign of Queen Victoria, sodomy or "buggery" laws were aimed specifically at male same-gender sexual activity and did not target or even address female same-gender sexual activity.