Homosexuality: Difference between revisions
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But to them, the important part about marriage is not just the name. Married people get many benefits from being married. Depending on the country, these benefits can include paying less [[tax]]es, getting their spouse's [[insurance]], inheriting [[property]], social security benefits, having or adopting children together, emigrating to a spouse's country, being able to make choices for a sick spouse, or even being allowed to visit a sick spouse who is in a [[hospital]]. |
But to them, the important part about marriage is not just the name. Married people get many benefits from being married. Depending on the country, these benefits can include paying less [[tax]]es, getting their spouse's [[insurance]], inheriting [[property]], social security benefits, having or adopting children together, emigrating to a spouse's country, being able to make choices for a sick spouse, or even being allowed to visit a sick spouse who is in a [[hospital]]. |
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Today there are seven countries that allow homosexual people to marry: the [[Netherlands]], [[Norway]], [[Belgium]], [[Spain]], [[South Africa]], [[Sweden]], [[Portugal]], [[Iceland]], [[Argentina]] and [[Canada]]. The Netherlands was first in [[2001]]. Iceland and Argentina were the most recent in [[2010]]. Sometimes these are called 'Same-sex Marriages' or 'Gay marriages'. The United States has limited same-sex marriage: it is legal in |
Today there are seven countries that allow homosexual people to marry: the [[Netherlands]], [[Norway]], [[Belgium]], [[Spain]], [[South Africa]], [[Sweden]], [[Portugal]], [[Iceland]], [[Argentina]] and [[Canada]]. The Netherlands was first in [[2001]]. Iceland and Argentina were the most recent in [[2010]]. Sometimes these are called 'Same-sex Marriages' or 'Gay marriages'. The United States has limited same-sex marriage: it is legal in Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, and the capital, Washington, DC, |
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Instead of marriage, some countries or states offer homosexuals 'civil unions' or 'domestic partnerships.' This offers some of the protections and benefits of marriage, but not all. Civil unions and domestic partnerships are sometimes seen by the [[LGBT]] community as being 'second class' (not as good as 'first class'). They do offer ''some'' benefits for gay and lesbian couples, but they also suggest that these couples are not as important or valid as heterosexual couples. Some people even say this is like the "separate but equal" rules that were used to segregate people by race in the United States. They believe that separate is ''never'' equal and homosexuals should not accept being second class [[citizen]]s. |
Instead of marriage, some countries or states offer homosexuals 'civil unions' or 'domestic partnerships.' This offers some of the protections and benefits of marriage, but not all. Civil unions and domestic partnerships are sometimes seen by the [[LGBT]] community as being 'second class' (not as good as 'first class'). They do offer ''some'' benefits for gay and lesbian couples, but they also suggest that these couples are not as important or valid as heterosexual couples. Some people even say this is like the "separate but equal" rules that were used to segregate people by race in the United States. They believe that separate is ''never'' equal and homosexuals should not accept being second class [[citizen]]s. |
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Revision as of 14:19, 25 June 2011
Homosexuality is a sexual orientation. A homosexual person is sexually and romantically attracted to people of their own gender. Men who are attracted to other men are called "gay." Women who are attracted to other women can be called "gay" as well, but are usually called "lesbians". People who are attracted to men and women are called bisexual. Together homosexual, bisexual, and transgender people make up the "LGBT community." It is difficult to say how many people are homosexual. Homosexuality is known to exist in all cultures and countries, though some governments deny that homosexuality exists in their countries.
Other titles for homosexuality
Definition
One may say that homosexuality is the term used for people that feel romantically attracted to their own sex, but other definitions also exist. When one views homosexuality as the term for people that feel attracted to their own sex, more people are gay than when one might view homosexuality as only a term for people who do have sexual relationships with their own sex. Usually, the term is used to view all the people who are attracted to their own sex, also the people who did not have a sexual relationship with their own sex (yet). Nonetheless, the most visible form of homosexuality is the actual relationship. Most 'evidence' of homosexuality in ancient cultures comes from drawings of the men in an intimate relationship or sex, because it's the most obvious.
The word homosexual comes from the Ancient Greek word homo, meaning "same", and the Latin word for "gender". People in the LGBT community usually say "gay" instead of "homosexual." Some people also use the term homophile (from Greek όμος ("homos";meaning the same) and φιλεῖν ("philein"; meaning to love). This term emphasizes romantic interest in the same sex, rather than sexual attraction.
Other names
There are many different words to describe homosexual people. Some of these are used to insult homosexual people. However, the LGBT community sometimes uses these words to describe themselves because the word "homosexual" can sound too clinical. This is done to make the words less hurtful. Some words to describe homosexual men are gay and queer. Words to describe homosexual women are lesbian and dyke. Lesbian is used most often. Dyke is used less often and is sometimes used to describe lesbians who are more masculine (act or dress more like men.)
Homosexual pride
When homosexual people keep their sexual orientation a secret, they are said to be "in the closet". "Out" or "out of the closet" is a slang term that means a homosexual person is open about his or her sexual orientation. This means he or she does not hide the fact that he or she is homosexual. Some gay and lesbian people stay in the closet because of fear of what would happen or because they live in a place that is not safe for homosexuals.
Sometimes people who are 'out' also say they are 'proud'. "Out" means they are not hiding their sexual orientation. "Proud" means that they are not ashamed of it. "Proud" or "Pride" has a special meaning in the LGBT community. It means they are celebrating and being happy that they are homosexual. It is not 'pride' meaning that they have done something to be proud of, but 'pride' meaning the opposite of shame. Many cities have "Pride Parades". These used to be protest marches. Today, they are usually celebrations of the LGBT community. They usually occur in June, in memory of the 'Stonewall Riots' that happened in New York City in 1969. These riots happened because police harassed and arrested people for being homosexual. 'Stonewall' or the 'Stonewall Riots' are sometimes called the start of the LGBT rights movement.
Causes
The causes of homosexuality and bisexuality are controversial (people do not agree on them). Many religions see homosexual or bisexual behavior as sin. Some religious people also see homosexuality and bisexuality as a choice that a person makes. Though most religions see homosexual intercourse as the sin, not the person who is gay. Many religious people believe gays are equal, but the sexual aspect is not natural. Not all believe the "attraction," is sinful, just the actions in response to the desire.
However, many modern scientists have shown that homosexuality is not a choice. The causes of homosexuality are not all understood, but genetics and the effects of prenatal hormones (when a baby is growing in its mother) and environment are sometimes thought to be causes. Scientists also show that homosexuality happens not only in humans. Most animals (like penguins, chimpanzees, and dolphins) often show homosexuality, some even for life-long periods as is the case with humans [1].
Many scientists and doctors also agree that no one can change their sexual orientation. Doctors used to treat gay people as if they had mental illnesses. However, homosexuality is no longer called a disease by doctors in many countries. There are some religious groups who still try to 'cure' homosexuality. This is called 'reparative therapy.' In therapies like this one, homosexual individuals have tried to change themselves to heterosexual and have even claimed they were changed, but most people do not believe it is possible.
Reparative Therapy is condemned by many medical and psychiatry groups like the American Psychological Association, American Psychiatric Association, Royal College of Psychiatrists, National Association of Social Workers, Royal College of Nursing, and the American Academy of Pediatrics. These scientific and educated groups agree that sexual orientation cannot change. They also agree that gay people can be badly hurt by reparative therapy.
Many people believe that it is unfortunate to discuss causes of homosexuality and bisexuality without discussing causes of heterosexuality, too. Although it is easy to understand why heterosexuality exists (heterosexual sex produces babies), that does not explain how the brain develops to produce heterosexual people. Heterosexuality, homosexuality, and bisexuality all have causes, and some people believe that to discuss only the causes of homosexuality and bisexuality suggests that there is something wrong with people who have those orientations.
Relationships
Like all people, gay people can fall in love and have life-long relationships. In most countries, they cannot legally marry their partners. However, they still have relationships in the same way as heterosexual people. They often call each other 'partners' or 'life-partners' instead of 'spouse', 'husband', or 'wife.' Instead of having a marriage ceremony, they may have a 'commitment ceremony.'
Some homosexual people have marriage ceremonies even though governments do not recognize or accept them. They may call their partner a spouse, wife, or husband despite the law.
But to them, the important part about marriage is not just the name. Married people get many benefits from being married. Depending on the country, these benefits can include paying less taxes, getting their spouse's insurance, inheriting property, social security benefits, having or adopting children together, emigrating to a spouse's country, being able to make choices for a sick spouse, or even being allowed to visit a sick spouse who is in a hospital.
Today there are seven countries that allow homosexual people to marry: the Netherlands, Norway, Belgium, Spain, South Africa, Sweden, Portugal, Iceland, Argentina and Canada. The Netherlands was first in 2001. Iceland and Argentina were the most recent in 2010. Sometimes these are called 'Same-sex Marriages' or 'Gay marriages'. The United States has limited same-sex marriage: it is legal in Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, and the capital, Washington, DC,
Instead of marriage, some countries or states offer homosexuals 'civil unions' or 'domestic partnerships.' This offers some of the protections and benefits of marriage, but not all. Civil unions and domestic partnerships are sometimes seen by the LGBT community as being 'second class' (not as good as 'first class'). They do offer some benefits for gay and lesbian couples, but they also suggest that these couples are not as important or valid as heterosexual couples. Some people even say this is like the "separate but equal" rules that were used to segregate people by race in the United States. They believe that separate is never equal and homosexuals should not accept being second class citizens.
Sex
Homosexual sex, or gay sex is when people of the same sex have sexual relations with each other, whether they are two or more males, or two or more females.
Many religions say homosexual sex is a sin, including Islam, Christianity and Judaism. However, some denominations (different parts) of these religions, especially Christianity, Judaism and some eastern religions now accept homosexuality. Some religions have always accepted homosexuality, such as Wicca.
Problems homosexuals face
In modern times, homosexuality is more accepted in "western" countries. Most western countries have laws that protect homosexuals from violence and discrimination.[source?]
In many other countries, however, homosexuals are not safe from discrimination.[2] A homosexual person can be fired from a job because he is gay, even if he is a good worker.[source?] Homosexuals can be denied renting a home or being able to eat in a restaurant because of their sexual orientation.[source?] In these countries, homosexuals can experience discrimination and violence.[source?] For example, Islamic law[3] is used in some places to kill homosexuals or place them in jail. In Iran, since 1979, some groups believe over 4,000 homosexuals have been killed because of their sexual orientation.[4] In 2005, after fourteen months of prison and torture, two teenage boys were hung in Iran [5].
In the United Kingdom, homosexuality used to be a crime. Oscar Wilde, the famous Irish writer was imprisoned for it, and as a result, it destroyed his reputation and career as a wit and playwright. Alan Turing, the man who helped the Allies in World War II by breaking the Enigma Code used by the Germans, was convicted of this crime and ultimately killed himself over the effects of the attempt to cure his homosexuality.
Today in the United Kingdom, homosexuals are safer. Homosexual sex between adults is not a crime. Gay and lesbian couples cannot marry, but they can have "civil partnerships" that have some of the rights and benefits of marriage. Gay people can be in the military. So although the United Kingdom has changed many things, homosexuals still do not have full equal rights there.
In most of the world, homosexuals still do not have the same rights and freedoms that heterosexuals have.
Homosexual behaviour in animals
Homosexual behaviour has also been observed in animals, other than humans. Homosexual, transgender and bisexual behaviour includes sex, courtship, affection, pair bonding, and parenting. Homosexual behaviour is widespread among animals. Bruce Bagemihl did research in 1999. It shows that homosexual behaviour has been observed in close to 1500 species, from primates to gut worms, and is well documented for 500 of them.[7][8] The sexual behaviour of animals takes many different forms, even within the same species. The motivations for these behaviours are only partly known, mainly because the respecive species has not been fully studied yet.[9] According to Bagemihl, "the animal kingdom [does] it with much greater sexual diversity—including homosexual, bisexual and nonreproductive sex—than the scientific community and society at large have previously been willing to accept."
Related pages
References
- ↑ Gay Penguins
- ↑ "Worldwide Anti-discrimination Laws and Policies Based on Sexual Orientation". December 1998. Retrieved September 18, 2010.
- ↑ "Islamic Society, Human Rights, and the Death Penalty: Capital Punishment in Morocco". 2008-01-02.
According to Islamic law, there is an allowance for the death penalty in cases of intentional murder and Fasad fil ardh ("spreading mischief in the land"). "Spreading mischief in the land" is generally understood to include crimes such as treason, apostacy, terrorism, piracy, rape, adultery, and homosexual behavior
- ↑ "Activists Mark Anniversary of Gay Executions with a Call for Human Rights". 2008-01-02.
PGLO and Outrage believe that up to 4,000 lesbians and gay men may have been executed since the Iranian revolution in 1979.
- ↑ "Iran executes two teenagers".
- ↑ Smith, Dinitia (February 7, 2004). "Love That Dare Not Squeak Its Name". New York Times. Retrieved 2007-09-10.
- ↑ (Bagemihl 1999)
- ↑ Harrold, Max (February 16, 1999). "Biological Exuberance: Animal Homosexuality and Natural Diversity". The Advocate, reprinted in Highbeam Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2007-09-10.
- ↑ Gordon, Dr Dennis (10 April 2007). "'Catalogue of Life' reaches one million species". National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research. Archived from the original on 2007-07-13. Retrieved 2007-09-10.
- Bagemihl, Bruce (1999), Biological Exuberance: Animal Homosexuality and Natural Diversity, St. Martin's Press, ISBN 0312192398
Other websites
There are national and international groups or organizations for the LGBT community. These organizations are often political. They fight for the rights and safety of homosexuals.
Some of the more important political organizations are: