Homosexuality “I’m the only Gay in the village” “The love that dare not speak its name” Oscar Wilde “I’m the only Gay in the village”

Homosexuality in History Homosexuality has been subjected to misunderstanding and discrimination. Homosexuals have been branded as perverts, their behaviour unnatural and disgusting – a threat to society and responsible for the spread of Aids. This fear has been labled homophobia

There is more of an acceptance of gay rights today, partly because public attitudes have changed. The general acceptance of gay rights has been evident in TV programs. Can you think of any? The legal age for two men to have sex has dropped from 21 to 18. Not everyone accepts homosexuality – in a survey in 1994- 70% British men and 60% of British women are homophobic! Can you find a similar more recent survey? Have attitudes changed?

The origins of the word Homosexuality This word is a combination of the Latin ‘sexus’ and the Greek ‘homo’, which means same. More recently gay was chosen as a positive term. The dictionary definition of gay now refers firstly to the sexual attraction of two people sharing the same gender rather than the old fashioned definition which meant ‘happy’. However look at how it is used negatively amongst today’s generation!

What’s in a word?? The word homosexuality was first used in 1882 as a medical term. It was regarded as a psychiatric disorder. In fact it was not taken off the list until 1973 when it was renamed ‘Sexual orientation disturbance’!!!

There has been constant investigation to find the cause of homosexuality… In 1993 the American Journal of Science contained an article which claimed to have located the Gene ‘responsible’ for homosexuality in the X chromosome. 33/40 pairs of homosexual brothers shared certain DNA. This was later criticised for making simplistic assumptions. Underlying medical cause? Genetic predisposition? Genetic defect? Childhood experience/abuse? It is now clear the human beings are not simply heterosexual but bisexual and homosexual. American researcher Kinsey stated “The world is not divided into sheep and goats”

Homosexuality is not natural Eighteen century philosopher Jean Jacques Rousseau believed that everybody is born essentially good and would remain so if they stayed close to nature. It is natural to obey the laws of nature (Aquinas would agree). Homosexuality does not promote or preserve life. Homosexual sex is not part of God’s creative propose. Sex acts should be open to achieving the final cause – PROCREATION. Masturbation, contraception, oral sex and homosexuality do not fill this purpose and are therefore wrong. Homosexuality is seen by some as a sin; it falls short of God’s expectations.

Is homosexuality a moral issue? “the only purpose for which power can rightfully be exercised over any member of a civilised community against his will is to prevent harm to others” John Stuart Mill Some people believe that homosexuality is a moral issue . Many are concerned that it promotes promiscuity and undermines family values which make for an ordered society. Professor of applied Philosophy John Harris believes that sex activities should not even be viewed in a moral context. Sex acts that take place between two consenting adults may be considered obscene and disgusting by others. This is not a moral reaction. People have the right to be protected from danger and disgusting behaviour against their will, but they have no right stopping others from activities that don’t harm another.

“Every person has a right to maximum amount of liberty compatible with allowing liberty for all” John Rawls Lord Delvin Challenged these views…. Any society may take steps to preserve its own existence and that private sexual morality, like treason, could jeopardise a society’s existence. Society must take steps to preserve its own existence as an organised society even if it means prohibiting sexual immorality. H hart Criticises Delvin.. He states that there is a distinction between what is immoral and what is affront to public decency. He finds it difficult to see how a private act could do harm.

Tasks Define homosexual, heterosexual and homophobic. List other words that have been used to describe homosexuality. Why do you think these particular words have been chosen? What do they show about peoples attitudes? For each of the following theories state whether you think they suggest homosexuality is right or wrong. Give a reasoned response. a) Natural Law b) Situation Ethics c) Kantian Ethics d) Utilitarianism e) Virtue Ethics Make a list of arguments to support the idea that the government has no right to interfere with an individual’s personal life. Make a list of arguments to support the idea that the government does have the right to interfere with an individuals personal life.