Everyone in civil society has heard of the latest dispute at least once in the past few months – is homosexuality really a choice, or is it just the product of many genetic and hormonal differences? Some argue that homosexuality is a combination of both, but the scientific aspect argues that it is solely based on biological differences. Whether or not homosexuality is exclusively one or the other, the topic itself has caused a ripple of social unease and activist movements.
Homosexuality has been a controversial topic amongst society for much longer than just recently. Apart from the scientific arguments revolving around it, there are other social and religious arguments similarly. Certain countries, religions, and organizations loath homosexuals, denying certain privileges to those suspected of being one. For instance, as one of the world’s most common religions, Catholicism has averted from homosexuality since the proposed writing of The Bible. Undoubtedly one of the most contentious verses from the Catholic bible, Leviticus 20:13, promptly states "If a man practices homosexuality, having sex with another man as with a woman, both men have committed a detestable act. They must both be put to death, for they are guilty of a capital offense" (Leviticus 20). This excerpt from the Old Testament defines homosexuality as a criminal offense that is punishable by death; it is thought to be written during the time period 538–332 BCE, nearly three-thousand years ago. Fundamentalist Catholics have used this bible verse for an extended period of time to justify their resentful outlook towards homosexuality. In addition to the religious contempt, small countries and even parts of the United States go to different legal extremes to segregate...
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...omosome and its chromosome band Xq28 may be another of many independent factors on the sexuality of both men and women.
The X-chromosome is one of the two sex chromosomes(the other being Y) that is responsible for a variety of factors in a child’s developmental growth, the most commonly known being their biological sex. Researchers at the National Center for Biotechnology Information have studied the X-chromosome and its relation to homosexuality in men. Preceding their studies, the researchers hypothesized, “If the X Chromosome contains a gene that increases the probability of an individual’s being homosexual, then genetically related gay men should share X chromosome markers close to that gene. If no such gene exists, then no statistically significant correlations between sexual orientation and X chromosome will be observed” (Bocklandt, Horvath, Vilain, Hamer).
There have been previous genetic twin studies on being homosexual or bisexual sexual orientation; they have been mostly recruited through homosexual-oriented publications and organizations which can lead to study participants being unreliable in significant respects, such as self-selection for openness and over demonstration of those with entirely homosexual orientations. These possible volunteer preferences are accountable to affect twin concordances and heritability analyses (Kendler and Eaves, 1989). A recent study practices a large population-based sample of Australian twins recruited from the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Twin Registry and, reduces the volunteer preferences distinguishing in the recruitment procedures of other studies. Prior analysis of this data set (Bailey et al., 2000; Gangestad et al., 2000) carefully examined a sexual orientation variable formed as the regularity of individual scores for the Kinsey-based sexual attraction. Bailey et al. Fou...
Genes are thought to play a critical role in sexual orientation, however which genes are actually contributing this effect is unknown. There are some genes being explored carefully, but there is no strong evidence existing. An example that demonstrates the correlation between genes and sexual orientation is twin studies. Evidence shows when one twin is homosexual the other twin will have a 50% chance of being homosexual as well. There seems to be a high concordance rate of sexual orientation between family members (Broderick & Blewitt, 2015). It is evident, biology play a significant role in the development of sexual orientation, however much research is still being conducted to prove its
Though many researchers will agree that homosexuality is not genetic, still, others beg to differ. HRC.org published an article entitled “Guide to Coming Out,” the article states ‘sexuality and gender identity are not choices any more than being left-handed or having brown eyes or being heterosexual are choices…The choice is in deciding how to live your life.’ With society always shoving their view into the minds of Americans second of everyday, it is not that hard to see where the confusion arises.
In history, mainstream Abrahamic religions have had a negative relationship with LGBT persons. Beginning during the Hebrew exodus of Egypt, the purity codes documented in the Hebrew Bible’s Book of Leviticus explicitly stated a slew of rigid rules that attempted to keep a new Israelite nation “clean”. As William Countryman argues in the article “Dirt, Greed, & Sex”, the bible sets a precedent for what is “clean” and pure as well as what is “dirty”. In this sense, dirty means where something doesn’t belong, or is out of place. The ancient Israelite text as well as some New Testament verses have been used by many contemporary Christian denominations to condemn LGBT persons to hell and to provide “moral reasoning” for supporting legislation that makes LGBT people second class citizens. Missionaries during the imperialist period of European history have also used these verses to spread hate around the globe, and many of these anti-homosexuality sodomy laws that were backed by christian colonial monarchies are still on the books in former colonies in Africa, Asia and Oceania. The spread of Islam, a religion that also considers the Hebrew texts to be holy scripture, has also had the same effect on the Swahili Coast, Horn of Africa, Persia, and Southeast Asia. These religious texts have been the basis for anti-LGBT laws across the world, and as Abrahamic religions spread, the tolerance for LGBT people in other societies declined.
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.
Homosexuality in the twenty first century is a hotly regarded topic of discussion. The debate is consistently between whether homosexuality and the concept of bending genders should be readily accepted and deemed natural among human society, or quickly dismissed and deemed an unnatural atrocity of life. Both arguments, very distinct from one another, argue about the topic of morality. Generally, people from either party seem to think that the opposing side is heinous and rash in their decisions. Before the end of the 19th century, the topic was rarely discussed, and quickly dismissed. That isn’t to say, however, that homosexuality hasn’t been a prospect
Scientists often view sexual orientation from a psychological perspective. Sexual orientation includes how one feels about and expresses their gender. Sexuality and gender roles are social constructs, perceptions of the world from which societies develop a shared understanding of reality. Some believe that there is strong evidence for a biological substrate of sexual orientation. Studies show that sexual orientation seems to be hereditary for both male and females. Some scientists think sexual orientation begins in the brain early in human development, with fetal exposure to androgens. Others believe sexual orientation occurs from external influences in the world around us, shaping our behaviors. The research on all sides has key missing pieces. Many studies focus solely on gay men, with random sample sizes and a lack of female participants. By including missing variables and expanding research into female sexuality, we may better understand sexual orientation in its entirety.
Homosexuality in Today's Society. 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.
Sexual Orientation During the very intimate stage of a women’s pregnancy there is a child being formed. The excitement when pondering the child’s gender is present. Whether the woman is fascinated on having a girl, boy or maybe she is simply happy with the fact that she will soon be able to hold her baby, it’s what you are identified as. Growing up in church I have been taught if a person born of a gender is attracted to the same sex it is to be considered confused or contorted.
Throughout history, people have been known to give words different meanings. These “word fads” can be something positive, or in other cases they can be demeaning and degrading. In today’s culture, the word “gay” has come to mean many things, and it has turned into a huge controversy amongst many groups of people.
Homophobia: This Generation’s War Cultural views today split between a fine line of what is considered normal and abnormal. People tend to take drastic standpoints on controversial issues backed by their own beliefs and in turn, cause social controversy. Among society’s controversial topics however, it may be argued that any LGBT+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual, and other) related topics have become a primary target for mainstream society to attack, ridicule, and tear apart.
In order to discuss the biology of gender identity and sexual orientation, it is necessary to first examine the differences between multiple definitions that are often mistakenly interchanged: sex, gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Sexual orientation is defined by LeVay (2011) as “the trait that predisposes us to experience sexual attraction to people of the same sex as ourselves, to persons of the other sex, or to both sexes” (p. 1). The typical categories of sexual orientation are homosexual, heterosexual and bisexual. Vrangalova and Savin-Williams (2012) found that most people identify as heterosexual, but there are also groups of people that identify as mostly heterosexual and mostly gay within the three traditional categories (p. 89). This is to say that there are not three concrete groups, but sexual orientation is a continuum and one can even fluctuate on it over time. LeVay (2011) also defines gender as “the ...
December nights are cold here in Arizona, but this night felt as if I was transported to Alaska. My biggest fear was about to come true, the day had come when I finally was going to tell my dad that I was gay. I had a boyfriend and my father was becoming suspicious of our relationship, my mother essentially forced me to come out to him. He was the only person in my life that did not know my true sexuality; my mother and sister both knew and supported me in every way as did my friends. I had always been scared to come out to my dad, primarily because he is Catholic and I have heard him utter homophobic remarks. But the moment had come and I could not live a lie in my house any longer. My hands were sweating and my skin was cold as ice, the fear in my voice told it all. "Dad, I have to tell you something that my mom and sister already know. That boy you 've seen around the house is my boyfriend. I am gay." It felt like I was suddenly in outer space and all the air had rushed out of my body, as if my body was going to implode. "You 're joking, right?" He said with a tone I had never heard him use before, time seemed to have stopped; I was terrified.
In recent years, same-sex marriage has become a more controversial topic on whether it’s right or wrong. People should not feel coerced to agree with something they believe is wrong; clearly, same-sex marriage is immoral and unnatural. Many complications come with same-sex marriages including financial pressures, social pressures, moral pressures, and health risks.
The recognition of same-sex marriage is a political, social, and religious issue. Because of this same-sex marriage is a very controversial topic. Legal acknowledgement of same sex marriage is commonly referred to as marriage equality. Many advocates of marriage equality argue that laws restricting marriage to only heterosexuals discriminate against homosexuals. On the other hand advocates against same-sex marriage argue that it would undo long-standing traditions and change the meaning of marriage in a damaging manor. In this essay I will be arguing for same-sex marriage. The arguments mentioned as well as others will be discusses throughout this paper.