Introduction
Homosexuality is the attraction and sexual acts performed with people of the same sex, between men and men and women and women. Hoenig (1976) reports that homosexuality has been practiced either overtly or covertly since the time of the ancient Egyptians. In some of the earlier cultures, homosexuality was regarded as a sin and act of aberration and homosexuals were persecuted and killed while in other cultures, it was ignored. Over the ages, views on homosexuality have changed and homosexuality is increasingly accepted as a personâs gender identity and sexual preference. This paper discusses how views on homosexuality have changed over the years and the reasons for this change.
Main body
Hoenig (1976) points out some famous historical figures that were homosexuals include Lord Byron, Socrates, King Edward II and many other royals. The author conjectures that in ancient times, in many cases, men were not fully homosexual but they had sexual relations with females as well as males. Homosexuality was acceptable in ancient Egypt and in Africa and Americas before colonization and this practice was ruthlessly put down by the European conquerors. The practice was also prevalent in the civilizations of Maya, Aztec in South America and in ancient China where kings had consorts who were Eunuchs.
In Europe, the orientation was under cover before Renaissance but came out in the open during this period, the practice was put down by royal decree, and the practice again went into suppression. Homosexuality again came into the open during the rock movement and the anti Vietnam war protests of the 1960’s when sexual freedom was one of the issues. Johnson (2004) reports that the outbreak of AIDS in the 1980’s when the virus infected millions of homosexuals turned public opinion against the practice. Until recently, homosexuals were denied government jobs, not enlisted in the defence and were denied promotions and equal wages. However, even though many states have started allowing same sex marriages, parenting rights and so on, overt or subtle discrimination still exists among large sections of the population. The church that earlier regarded homosexuality as a sin has begun to change its views and tolerates openly gay priests and communities.
Kendrick (1967) points that after World War II, there was gradual change in the psychology of people, various cultural infusions and a more tolerant attitude that allowed people to decide what sexual orientation they wanted. Hoenig (1976) comments that Freud noted that homosexuality was is not degenerate behaviour but rather an inversion of certain repressed tendencies that are formed during the adolescent age. While there is no specific reason for the sexual orientation, Freud noted that there is no firm aetiology that guides this type of behaviour but prenatal factors, genetics and early influences during the childhood stage can produce this behaviour. The scientist also noted that coercion, beatings, flogging and torture only force the inclinations into repression and do not remove the urge.
King (1999) noted that with speaks of partial instincts linked to different erogenous zones and there is a growing reorganization and one of the drives gain hegemony over others till they become subordinated in puberty. The author rejected the common misconception that homosexuals are âfemale brains trapped in a mans bodyâ and argues that such concepts and beliefs are not tenable. King noted that earlier there were two types of people; oneâs who could be called as âcloset homosexualsâ, who did not openly admit to their orientation and the âopenly homosexualsâ who adopted a certain lifestyle, mannerisms, dress and social behaviour that clearly identified them as homosexuals. It was only after the closet homosexuals came out and revealed their sexual orientation that society gradually started accepting them. After the AIDS epidemic for which homosexuals were blamed, many were victimised, beaten and racially abused with names such as queers, faggot, homo and other names. The victimization to an extent helped to earn public sympathy, acceptance, and people became more understanding. Homosexuality was not regarded as a sin, a depraved act but that it was just the way people wanted to live.
I feel that since the past couple of decades, people have travelled to more areas, been exposed to more cultures and practices and have begun to rethink of the settled prejudices of what is right and what is wrong. Consequently, the mental barriers that people had erected that defined acceptable behaviour has become more porous and new ideas and concepts are more readily accepted. These factors have helped to bring in changes in the manner that people think of themselves and how they expect people to behave.
Back in the early 19th century, marriage between a black man and a white woman would get the black man lynched. Nowadays, it is quite common to see such mixed race couples who are accepted into the main stream of society. I feel that this is a positive change that time has given to our society. I also feel that moral policing should not decide how two consenting adults live, what they do and how they find pleasure. Our world has enough problems that need more urgent and immediate attention. So perhaps it would make better sense to think about these problems than worry about the fact that men develop relations with one another and that this behaviour offends our sensibilities. Actually, we do not have any right to decide on such issues.
References
Hoenig. J, 1976. Sigmund Freud’s views on the sexual disorders in historical perspective. British Journal of Psychiatry, 129, pp. 193-200.
Johnson. David K, 2004. The Lavender Scare: The Cold War Persecution of Gays and Lesbians in the Federal Government. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Kendrick. D.C, & Clarke R.V.G, 1967. Attitudinal differences between heterosexually and homosexually oriented males. British Journal of Psychiatry, 113, pp. 95-99.
King. Michael, & Bartlett. Annie, 1999. British psychiatry and homosexuality. British Journal of Psychiatry, 175, pp. 106-113.