About Being Gay

Being gay is a fact of life for many people around the world. Homosexuality has been a part of society for as long as humanity has existed and has been a well-documented part of history. Both men and women can live gay lifestyles.

The Facts

Being gay is not an easy concept for many people to understand. Homosexuality is based on the concept of being attracted to someone of the same gender, but it is much more than that. Being gay can include an entire lifestyle, including festivals, gatherings and parties celebrating homosexuality. Homosexual men are typically referred to as gay while women are called lesbians. Homosexual includes a variety of stereotypes just as the straight lifestyle does.

Misconceptions

One of the biggest misconceptions about the gay lifestyle is the idea that gay people carry diseases such as AIDS. Simply being gay does not make someone ill, just as being smart does not automatically make someone successful. The gay male population does have a higher incidence of sexually transmitted diseases due to poor choices, not because the men are gay. Another homosexual misconception is that having an interest in the same gender makes you gay. Many people are bisexual, meaning they are sexually attracted to both genders. Being interested in same-sex relations is just a variation in the wide spectrum of sexual choices. There is an argument in society as to whether being gay is a nature vs. nurture choice. People who believe in the nature theory think that people are born gay and nothing in the outside environment has an influence on the way they choose to live. Those who believe in the nurture concept of homosexuality think that people can choose to be (and also, choose to not be) gay. However, there is no concrete scientific evidence that being gay is either an inherent genetic disposition or a learned lifestyle.

History

Prominent gay figures have existed as far back as 600 B.C., when the famous poet Sappho lived. Roman society often had gay men dress as women to satisfy warriors and entertain the troops while they were away from home. Asian history also has a large homosexual subculture, with many famous gay relationships. Being gay has changed very little from its roots in history, with the exception that gay life has earned a stigma of negativity in some cultures. Many people see homosexuality as wrong and as going against nature--this, despite the fact homosexuality has been around for centuries.

Effects

Homosexual people have to learn how to adapt to the harsh treatment and stigma that society places on them. Many gay people are not open with their homosexuality because they are often treated poorly for their choices. Those who are not gay have to learn how to tolerate the homosexuality of those around them. Some people are very open and accepting of gay people, however. Other people are not so open, discouraging and threatening those who are openly gay. Homosexuality can cause a range of emotions, from elation and joy to anger and hate and each person must learn to deal with those feelings appropriately. Being gay in society today is not only stigmatized, but can be dangerous. Many people treat homosexuals with disdain and hate, harming and even killing people for being openly gay.

Significance

Homosexuality is a part of life. There will always be gay people in the world, regardless of what other people think. Gay marriage is another important part of a homosexual lifestyle. Many openly homosexual people are interested in marriage and in sharing their life with the one they love, just as heterosexual people do. A large number of people disagree with the concept of gay marriage, stating that marriage is a sacred union between a man and a woman. A few states have legalized gay marriage in recent years, while other states have tried to enact legislation banning the process. Gay marriage will continue to be a hotly debated topic as long as the concept of homosexuality remains a controversial social issue.

Resources

• Gay Heroes.com
• Fordham University: People With A History