Dec
11
Posted by Waikhu
In General:
- 10% of the adolescent community is believed to be gay
- Gay males experience first same sex activity at age 15 & identify as gay at 14
- Lesbians experience their first same sex activity at age 20 and identify as gay within three years (Dempsy, 1994)
- Onset of homosexual arousal, homosexual behavior erotic imagery, and homosexual romantic attachment occurs during adolescence (Anderson, 1994)
This lifestyle and behavior is common for many teens. Unfortunately, it's acceptance is not. HOMOPHOBIA, the irrational fear of being gay, lesbian, or bisexual or of being in contact with someone who is same sex oriented, (Dempsey, 1994) is also extremely common in the U.S. due to myths and stereotypes.
Myths And Stereotypes
Some stereotypes of homosexual people from Dempsey include:
- can't form loving relationships
- sexually promiscuous
- unhappy
- prey on and seduce children
- all gay males are effeminate and all lesbians are masculine
As a result gay adolescents may experiences difficulties in dealing with their sexual orientation.
What Does The Typical Gay, Lesbian. Or Bisexual Youth Experience?
1. Problems in school — fear rejection and isolation
2. Substance abuse
3. Run away from home
4. Violence and harassment (Katchadourian, 1990)
5. High risk for suicide — typically lose friends & family, negative stigma
6. Risk for HIV infection — education typically directed toward heterosexual relationships (Morrow, 1993)
Despite the many problems gay teens can face, they have few people to turn to for help.
Gay Adolescents Lack Support
These adolescents may lack support systems from the gay community, peers and parents. The gay community fears of being accused of sexual exploitation or abuse and "promoting" homosexuality (Dempsey, 1994). Traditional social structures usually fail to provide knowledge of homosexual lifestyle. Gay teens feel pressure from peers to conform to heterosexual norms. They also witness name-calling, jokes, and other negative comments toward homosexuals. Since most parents are heterosexual, they are not role models, nor do they teach about being gay. (Morrow, 1993)
In our society, homosexual behavior among adolescents is quite common. For many, it is notexperimental activity or a phase in development, but an expression of their lifestyle. For more information and support contact: Federation of Parents & Friends of Lesbians & Gays (P-Flag) at P.O. 28009, Washington, D.C. 28009.
Although heterosexual teens and homosexual teens do not experience the same problems in dealing with their sexual identity, the former are at risks for other difficulties. One potential problem is teen pregnancy.
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ALTERNATIVE LIFESTYLES: GAY,
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Dec
11
Posted by Waikhu
What is homosexuality?
The term homosexuality had not come about until the 1860's. Homosexuality is the sexual desire for others of one's own sex. Homosexuality is often referred to as the capacity to feel love and sexual satisfaction with someone of the same gender(Diversity Works, 1990). How do you define who is and is not a homosexual? People who are heterosexual sometimes might fantasize about someone of the same sex, this is called homosexual feelings. A wife that has a lesbian affair, or a college students who is experimenting with his sexuality, is experiencing homosexual behavior. Yet another person born as a male who thinks and acts like a female is in touch with his gender identification.
What is the cause of homosexuality?
This is a dispute that has been going on since homosexuality came about. There are three theories that are
presented to explain homosexuality; they are: Biological/genetic, psychological, and behavioral. All the above
theories have supporting evidence, however scientists lean towards genetic factors. Most social scientists do not support the idea that people simply decide to become gay because of a fad, to rebel, or because of being
misinformed in sex education class (Blumenfeld, 1995).
Is the hiv/aids virus a homosexual disease?
The HIV/AIDS virus has brought many questions to the homosexual community. AIDS is a virus that suppresses the immune system. This allows the body to become susceptible to other viruses, infections, and diseases that can cause one to become very sick, or die. There is a common misconception of all gay men and bisexuals engaging in promiscuous sexual behavior. This is not true, while some do decide to have many partners, a majority of homosexuals prefer meaningful relationships. Anyone who engages in unprotected sex or shares an intravenous drug needle is at risk of contracting the AIDS virus. AIDS started out as a heterosexual disease in West Central Africa, however when it spread to the U.S. approximately three-quarters of all AIDS cases were homosexual or bisexual men. Thus, it was nicknamed the "gay or homosexual disease" (Blumenfeld, & Raymond, 1993). Today, AIDS does not discriminate against anyone.
Do homosexuals establish stable relationships?
According to Riedmann (1995), 75 percent of lesbians and 50 percent of gay men are in stable, coupled
relationships at any given time. One common misconception is that gay men and lesbians do not commit to
long-term relationships. However, a study on homosexuality concludes that many homosexual men and women lead stable lives without frenetic sexual activity and that some are considerably happier and better adjusted then heterosexuals as a whole (Blumenfeld, & Raymond, 1993). Long-lasting relationships are more difficult to establish among homosexuals because of the pressure and stress society places on these relationships.
Can homosexuals become parents?
According to Blumenfeld and Raymond (1993), homosexuality is a threat to the traditional family values and the constitutional make-up of the family. Homosexual partners make long-term commitment, because many states do not allow homosexuals to get married. Many couples are not even recognized by the state as a union. Homosexual couples have children through heterosexual marriages or relationships in the past, adoption, or artificial insemination (Riedmann, 1995).
Will homosexual parents make their children homosexual?
A common misconception of homosexuals is that they try to recruit children. In fact, children growing up in
homosexual homes are more well adjusted in life and with their sexuality. Children in homosexual homes are not more likely to become homosexual. Most gay men and lesbians have heterosexual parents, and they are likely to have heterosexual children
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AND BISEXUALS: SOME FACTS,
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