Social Acceptance of Homosexuality - Essay Example

SOCIAL ACCEPTANCE OF HOMOSEXUALITY: WHAT SHOULD WE DO? Introduction Although same-sex relationships have been a taboo for as far back in timeas we can possibly go, the practice has survived to this day. This very fact indicates that it is perhaps a normal behavior just as the heterosexual one although most certainly occurring as an exception than the rule. Political and religious sanction has not been accorded to the practice until recently. There are many reasons for this. But times are changing. Homosexuals are slowing gaining acceptance as normal people. Same-sex marriage is now legal in some countries and many states of USA. But resistance and antagonism towards the homosexuals is also growing. A case in point is the gay bashing of James Maestas in the New Mexican capital of Santa Fe, USA to a (Auslander, Jason. 2005). If the homosexuality is only a natural phenomenon and if the practitioners are frowned upon, it should be construed only as a majority versus minority issue, where minorities must be entitled to equal opportunities and should not be subjected to any discrimination. But is there more to the matter than meets the eye? This paper looks at the problem and makes an argument for the dispassionate approval of homosexuality. Analysis of Reasons for the Social Rejection and Stigma. Religious beliefs The bible clearly disapproves same-sex relationship, “Do not practice homosexuality, having sex with another man as with a woman. It is a detestable sin (Leviticus 18:22).” So the Lord told Abraham, “I have heard a great outcry from Sodom and Gomorrah, because their sin is so flagrant.” (Genesis 18.20). The sins of Sodom and Gomorrah were lesbianism and homosexuality. Islam does not allow same-sex marriages and relationships. Same-sex intercourse carries the death penalty in many countries. (Homosexuality and Islam). Hence the organized Christian and Islamic religions will not be in a position to accept the practice of homosexuality. Devout Christians and Muslims may take the onus upon themselves to rid the society of such ‘sinful’ people, laying rumble strips on the path to a peaceful enactment of state laws to make same-sex relationship socially acceptable. Some protestant and reform movements in Christianity and Judaism are found to be supportive of the same-sex marriages, though. Hindu texts, myths and sculptures, on the other hand, have at least maintained the existence of the third sex, homosexuality, etc. In the text Mahabharata, an important character, Shikhandi, is born female, but raised as a boy. The God’s promise to King Drupada, Shikhandi’s father, was that he would be neither man nor woman. The Hindu vedic sex manual known as ‘kama sutra’ describes homosexuality and lesbianism. Medieval Hindu temples such as Khajuraho depict some same-sex scenes on the external walls. The religious texts and the medieval sculptors would generate the impression that Hindus would accept homosexuality. In fact, sexuality is a taboo subject in modern India and same-sex marriage is banned. Hindu society does not approve of homosexuality and lesbianism, but of late, Hindu reform movements in the West publicly support social acceptance of lesbians and gays Hating ‘different’ people Winston Churchill is said to have remarked that the Jews were a hated lot partly because of their distinctly different lifestyles. Although it has not seen the light of print until recently and the authorship is dubious, his 1937 document, "How the Jews Can Combat Persecution", criticizes the aloofness of the Jewish people from wider society and urges them to integrate themselves. (Bignel, Paul. 2007). It can be easily verified from many real life incidents that just being different from the majority of people is reason enough to attract hate reactions. Take, for instance, the practice of apartheid, which is fundamentally the non-tolerance of a different race. History has witnessed many incidents of hate crimes against the black people. Although it is not a hate crime, the practice of slavery of black people to white masters was indeed a result of discrimination on account of a fundamental difference, in this case racial. Umpteen numbers of examples of lesser reactions against fundamental differences can be quoted. One very common class of such reactions is concerned with the intolerance of even mildly different dialects or vernaculars. This is true not just with native English speakers but with Arabs, Tamilians (an Indian language) and almost anyone who has a proud language of his own. When confronted with a speech or written word that he doesn’t ‘approve’ as in his own ilk, he protests, sometimes violently! Thankfully changes are seen to occur automatically in some spheres. As an example, I think the advent of the World Wide Web and the breaking down of inter-people communication barriers are charting a new-found tolerance of linguistic variations to some extent. However, in the two examples of apartheid and slavery, it took a lot of activism and organized campaigning to get rid of the evils. Our concern now is whether the same pitch of organized campaigning and state support is called for in the case of approbation of homosexuality also. Accepted norms of virility It is generally thought that a virile person is either a male or a female, but not inter-sexual or of ambiguous genitalia. It is an insult in many parts of the world to be called inter – sexed. This is certainly another form of disapproval of differences with respect to the majority’s traits. Effeminate males, females with masculine voice, gynecomastia or large breasts in men are all targets of scornful treatment. Macho image is always associated with strength, bass voice, not given to sentimentalities, etc. and respected as such; variations are found acceptable only with due deductions from the esteem value. Accepted female characteristics can also be described likewise in terms of a general coyness; high-pitched, soft voice; delicate walking steps; and a general propensity for sentimentality. A highly quintessential female is socially acceptable just as a macho man; but not an inter-sexual person. A gay person might appear macho in some cases, but his character can give himself away, which then comes under disparaging social eye. “Same-sex relationships are ‘unnatural’ since they can’t bear children” There is truth in the fact that same-sex marriages cannot produce offspring. A usual marriage is a wellspring from where new life takes shape and contributes to man’s existence, which is a noble cause. The important reason why same-sex marriages are considered ‘unnatural’ is the inability of the couples to biologically procreate out of their wedlock. And unnatural unions automatically qualify as the pain in the butt of scorn. Biological Factors Is it a very natural thing? ‘A Very Natural Thing’ is a 1974 film about a gay man named David who leaves a monastery to become a public school teacher by day. Christopher Larkin, the director says, "I wanted to say that same-sex relationships are no more problematic but no easier than any other human relationships. They are in may ways the same and in several ways different from heterosexual relationships but in themselves are no less possible or worthwhile". (The Celluloid Closet pg. 208, 1987) A blog dated November 17, 2005 talks about the author’s emotions about being a marriageable male over 30 in India. He doesn’t want to get married or love a female partner. His parents want him to get married to a girl and not a gay boy; he can’t invite friends to his house since there is no female partner. However, his external appearances are befitting the macho image and hence acceptable to people. He says that there are many persons living with his predicament of having to hide the normal urge to marry a same-sex person, but being deterred by the social implications. Although homosexuality has been described as genetic, latest research does not prove it that way. "Time and again I have been described as someone who proved that homosexuality is genetic ... I did not." (Simon LeVay in The Sexual Brain, p. 122). Simon was a neuroscientist who studied the brains of 41 corpses and concluded that there is a structural reason for the homosexual behavior; now it is seen that there were errors in his judgment. Studies conducted in twins with identical brain structures have proved that environmental and developmental aspects can determine the sexual orientation towards homosexuality. American Psychiatric Association went to the extent of classifying homosexuality in the category of mental disorders which came in for intensive campaigning to abrogate it and was finally voted out by a margin of just 58% But subsequent categorizing put it under ‘gender identity disorder’. Are they law abiding, socially considerate people? It is generally found that same-sex marriages are normal and the persons live as sensitive and law abiding human beings. They are even permitted to adopt children in many cases Can they be good parents if they adopt kids? American Psychiatric Association’s position is that parenting by homosexuals has no adverse effect on the development of children. The usual methods of parenting are adoption, donor insemination, foster parenting, and surrogacy. Social Problems of Accepting Homosexual Relations Can it be compared to a genetic disorder of criminal propensity or imbecility? In those cases, they are considered social threats and rightfully isolated. The preceding discussions show that homosexuality is not in the same mould as disorders needing treatment, although it is an aberrant behavior. Will it lead to increase in the numbers of homosexuals? This argument stems from the possibility that the condition is latent in everyone to some extent which might grow if allowed. While it is certainly desirable to ban public display of gay activities in order not to set off irregular sexual tendencies in unsuspecting people, there seems to be no case for a total disapproval of homosexuality. Famous Homosexual Relations Celebrated British pop musician, Sir Elton John, ‘married’ his male partner, David Furnish, as the first same-sex civil partnership in the UK on December 21, 2005 There are many famous cases of confirmed gay, lesbian and bisexual people in recent history For want of space the list is not being copied here. Case for a Dispassionate Approach Matthew 7:1 of the Bible: “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged.” The foregoing discussions have proven beyond doubt that homosexuality is a subject to be handled very carefully. There have been homosexual and lesbian relationships from time immemorial. The practitioners seem to be perfectly normal persons able to go about in life as law-abiding citizens with civic sensibilities and duty consciousness. They can adopt and rear children in the normal way. It is also seen that homosexuality is not to be termed as a mental illness requiring a treatment and cure. Given the above facts, it is only logical and just to argue that they are equals with the vast majority of heterosexual people and deserve full comforts and social recognition befitting them. It is only a concerted effort of activists and the imposition of state laws that can change the lot of these unfortunate people for the better. Works Cited Auslander, Jason. Man Beaten in Gay Bashing Clings to Life. 2007 The New Mexican, Inc. 3 Mar. 2005. 8 Apr. 2007. . Homosexuality and Islam. 8 Apr. 2007. . Bignel, Paul. Uncovered: Churchill’s Warnings About the “Hebrew Bloodsuckers.” The Independent. 11 Mar. 2007. 8 Apr. 2007. . Read More