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Sexual Orientation is an enduring emotional, romantic, sexual,
or affectionate attraction to another person. It is easily distinguished
from other components of sexuality, including biological sex,
gender identity (the psychological sense of being male or female)
and the social gender role (adherence to cultural norms for feminine
and masculine behavior).
Sexual orientation exists along a continuum that ranges from
exclusive homosexuality to exclusive heterosexuality, and includes
various forms of bisexuality. Bisexual persons can experience
sexual, emotional, and affectionate attraction to both his or
her own sex and the opposite sex. Persons with a homosexual orientation
are sometimes referred to as gay (both men and women) or as lesbian
(women only).
Sexual orientation differs from sexual behavior because it directly
refers to feelings and self-concept. Persons may or may not express
their sexual orientation through behavior.
What Causes a Person To Have a
Particular Sexual Orientation?
Numerous theories exist on the origins of a person's sexual orientation.
Most scientists today agree that sexual orientation is most likely
the result of a complex interaction among environmental, cognitive,
and biological factors. In most people, sexual orientation is
shaped at an early age. There is also considerable recent evidence
that suggests biology, including genetic or inborn hormonal factors,
play a significant role in a person's sexuality.
It is imperative to realize that there remain many reasons for
a person's sexual orientation and these reasons may vary from
person to person.
Is Sexual Orientation a Choice?
Human beings can not choose to be either gay or straight. Sexual
orientation emerges for most people in early adolescence without
prior sexual experience. Although we can choose whether to act
on our feelings, psychologists do not consider sexual orientation
to be a conscious choice that can voluntarily change.
Can Therapy Change Sexual Orientation?
Even though most homosexuals live successful, fulfilled lives,
some homosexual or bisexual people may seek to change their sexual
orientation through therapy, a solution often stemming from the
influence of family members or religious groups. The reality is
that homosexuality is not an illness. It does not require treatment
and is not changeable. However, not all gay, lesbian, and bisexual
individuals who seek assistance from a mental health professional
want to change their sexual orientation. Gay, lesbian, and bisexual
individuals may seek psychological help with the coming out process,
perhaps to learn strategies that may help cope with prejudice.
But, most use therapy for the same reasons that bring straight
people to mental health professionals.
What About So-Called "Conversion
Therapies"?
Some therapists who undertake so-called conversion therapy report
that they have been able to change their clients' sexual orientation
from homosexual to heterosexual. Close scrutiny of these reports,
however, show several factors that cast doubt on their claims.
For example, many of the claims come from organizations with an
ideological perspective which condemns homosexuality. Furthermore,
their claims are poorly documented. For example, treatment outcome
is not followed and reported over an extended period of time as
would the normal standard used to test the validity of any mental
health intervention.
The American Psychological Association is concerned about such
therapies and the potentially harmful effects on patients. In
1997, the Association's Council of Representatives passed a resolution
reaffirming psychology's opposition to homophobia in treatment,
and spelled out a client's right to unbiased treatment and self-determination.
Any person who enters therapy in order to deal with issues of
sexual orientation has a right to expect that such therapy would
take place in a professionally neutral environment absent of any
social bias.
Is Homosexuality a Mental Illness
or Emotional Problem?
No. Psychologists, psychiatrists, and other mental health professionals
agree that homosexuality is not an illness, mental disorder, or
an emotional problem. Over thirty-five years of objective, well-designed
scientific research has shown that homosexuality, in and of itself,
is not associated with mental disorders, and emotional or social
problems. Homosexuality was once thought to be a mental illness
because mental health professionals and society based conclusions
on biased information.
In the past, studies of gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals
involved only those in therapy, thus the resulting conclusions
were often one-sided. When researchers examined data on gay, lesbian,
and bisexual individuals not in therapy, the idea that homosexuality
was a mental illness was quickly dismissed.
In 1973, the American Psychiatric Association confirmed the importance
of the new and better designed research, and removed homosexuality
from the official manual that lists mental and emotional disorders.
Two years later, the American Psychological Association passed
a resolution supporting the removal.
For more than twenty-five years, both associations have urged
all mental health professionals to help dispel the stigma of mental
illness that people often associate with homosexual orientation.
Can Lesbians, Gay Men, and Bisexuals
Be Good Parents?
Yes. Studies comparing groups of children raised by homosexual
parents versus heterosexual parents find no developmental differences
between the two groups of children in four critical areas: intelligence,
psychological adjustment, social adjustment, and popularity with
peers. It is also important to realize that a parent's sexual
orientation does not indicate their children's.
Why Do Some Gay Men, Lesbians,
and Bisexuals Tell People About Their Sexual Orientation?
Oftentimes sharing that aspect of themselves with others is important
to their mental health. In fact, the process of identity development
for lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals, called "coming out",
has been found to be strongly related to psychological adjustment.
The more positive the gay, lesbian, or bisexual identity is viewed,
the better one's mental health, and the higher one's self-esteem.
Why Is the "Coming Out"
Process Difficult for Some Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual People?
For some gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals the coming out
process is difficult, and for others it is not. Often lesbian,
gay, and bisexual individuals feel afraid, different, and alone
when they first realize that their sexual orientation is different
from the community norm. This is particularly true for adolescents
becoming aware of their gay, lesbian, or bisexual orientation.
And, depending upon their families, and where they live, they
may face prejudice.
Children and adolescents may be particularly vulnerable to the
injurious effects of bias and stereotypes. They may also fear
being rejected by family, friends, co-workers, and religious institutions.
Some gay people have to worry about losing their jobs, or being
harassed at school if their sexual orientation becomes well known.
Unfortunately, gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals are at
a higher risk for physical assault and violence in comparison
with heterosexual individuals. Studies completed in California
in the mid 1990s showed that nearly one-fifth of all lesbians
who took part in the study, and more than one-fourth of all gay
men who participated, had been the victim of a hate crime based
on their sexual orientation. In another California study of approximately
500 young adults, half of all the young men participating in the
study admitted to some form of anti-gay aggression ranging from
name-calling to physical violence.
What Can Be Done to Overcome the
Prejudice and Discrimination the Gay Men, Lesbians, and Bisexuals
Experience?
Research has found that the people who possess the most positive
attitudes toward gay men, lesbians, and bisexuals are those who
say they know one or more with one of these particular sexual
orientations as a personal friend or co-worker. For this reason,
psychologists believe negative attitudes toward gay individuals
as a group are prejudices that are not grounded in actual experiences,
but are based solely on stereotypes. Furthermore, protection against
violence and discrimination are crucial, just as they are for
any other minority groups. Some states include violence against
an individual on the basis of his or her sexual orientation as
a "hate crime", and ten U.S. states have laws against
discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
Why is it Important for Society
to be Better Educated About Homosexuality?
Educating all people about sexual orientation and homosexuality
is likely to diminish anti-gay prejudice. Accurate information
about homosexuality is especially important to young people who
are first discovering, and seeking to understand their own sexuality.
Are All Gay and Bisexual Men HIV
Infected?
No. This is only a common myth. In reality, the risk of exposure
to HIV is related to a person's behavior, not their sexual orientation.
What's important to remember about HIV/AIDS, is that it is a preventable
disease through the use of safe sex practices and abstention from
drug use.
*Information obtained from American Psychological Association
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