Homosexual and bisexual orientation

Are they changeable or unchangeable;
normal or abnormal; moral or immoral?

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Can a Person Change their Sexual Orientation?

	The vast majority of human sexuality researchers, therapists, religious liberals, gays, lesbians, and bisexuals generally agree that a person's sexual orientation is determined before reaching school age. Once established, sexual feelings are always or almost always unchangeable. In terms of behavior by sexually active adults researchers accept three normal, natural expressions of sexual feelings: Heterosexuals (over 90% of the adult population) can chose to enter into sexual relationships with members of the opposite sex, or be celibate. Homosexuals (about 5%) can chose to become involved with members of the same gender or be celibate. Bisexuals (fewer than 5%) can become involved with members of either gender or be celibate.
	Many of the conservative religious organizations disagree. They feel that sexual orientation is a matter of choice, is sinful behavior, and can be changed through counseling and prayer. Some religiously based ministries, and mutual support/self help groups, and a very small percentage of therapists specialize in attempting to change homosexuals and bisexuals into heterosexuals. Their long-term successes appear to be in two areas: convincing bisexuals to restrict their sexual activities to members of the opposite sex convincing homosexuals to remain celibate. Such groups rarely advertise that they are unsuccessful at changing their clients' sexual orientation. They mainly discuss successes at behavioral change. They are sometimes able to convince people to leave the "homosexual lifestyle" -- that is they convince homosexuals to become sexually inactive, and convince bisexuals to seek only relationships with opposite-sex partners. We have not been able to find a single case where an adult with a homosexual orientation has been able to develop an attraction to a person of the opposite gender through counseling or prayer. Some who are bisexual change their behavior from same-sex to opposite-sex involvement. Others who are homosexual, decide to remain celibate. Some are able to train themselves to engage in heterosexual behavior by fantasizing that they are with a person of the same gender. They may even marry. But almost all such marriages are doomed to failure. Mel White, who once ghost-authored many books for Evangelical leaders, found his business collapse when he came out of the closet and became publicly known as gay. He wrote the book: "Stranger at the Gate: To Be Gay and Christian in America,"  a heart-wrenching story of his decades-long attempts to convert his orientation from gay to straight. 8 Most religious Conservatives base their conclusions on three passages and groups of passages from the Bible: They believe that various Biblical verses -- often called "clobber passages"-- condemn all forms of same-sex behavior. Many secularists and religious liberals believe that these same passages refer to homosexual rape, homosexual prostitution, homosexual ritual sex in a Pagan temple, heterosexuals engaging in same-sex orgies, and males raping boys. The latter conclude that these passages are silent about loving, consentual same-sex behavior.   The Bible consistently represents marriage as only occurring between a man and one or more women. St. Paul and other New Testament writers in particular condemn sex, except between married spouses.   Paul, in 2 Corinthians 5:17, writes that "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." In 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Paul refers to many behaviors that will prevent a person from attaining heaven. He concludes: "And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." Most religious conservatives interpret these passages as teaching that when gays and lesbians become born again, their sexual orientation will automatically changed.   Since there are numerous passages in the Bible that guarantee that God always answers the prayers of believers, conservative Christians generally believe that prayer can change a sincere individual with a homosexual orientation into a heterosexual.
	The general public appears to agree with the former belief system - that sexual orientation is fixed. During the week of 1998-JUL-17, the McLaughlin Group 1 conducted a public opinion poll via the Internet on the effectiveness of "love, understanding and the word of God" in converting a gay or lesbian to heterosexuality. 93% believe that such techniques are ineffective in changing one's sexual orientation.

Is homosexual behavior normal and natural?

This of course depends upon your definition of "normal". Homosexual behavior certainly does not feel normal or natural for heterosexuals; they often have strong feelings of revulsion towards the idea. Similarly, heterosexual behavior does not feel natural for homosexuals. Both homosexual and heterosexual behavior feels natural to persons with bisexual orientation.

Homosexual behavior is natural in the sense that it is extensively found in nature. It has been observed in: antelopes, boars, bulls, chimpanzees, cows, ducks, cats, dogs, fruit flies, geese, gorillas, gulls, horses, humans, langurs, rams, sheep, macaques, monkeys, turkeys and vervets.

Bruce Bagemihl, a biologist from Seattle, WA, found that in zoos, at least 5% of Humboldt penguin pairs are gay. He has prepared an encyclopedic survey of homosexual or transgender behavior among more than 190 species, including butterflies and other insects. An Amazon.com reviewer commented: "Throw this book into the middle of a crowd of wildlife biologists and watch them scatter. But Bagemihl doesn't let the scientific community's discomfort deny him the opportunity to show 'the love that dare not bark its name' in all its feathery, furry, toothy diversity."  ₂ The reviews of this book are well worth reading for their own value.

Whiptail lizards, (Cnemidophorus neomexicanus) found in the American southwest, are all females. They reproduce by parthenogenesis. Unfertilized eggs develop, producing an exact clone of its mother. Even though no males exist, the females still exhibit sexual mating behavior. Those that attract a partner have been found to produce more and healthier eggs. _3,4

Another source states that "Homosexuality exists in proven ratios in all mammal species....It is as natural as blue eyes, left-handedness, or the genetic predisposition to walk on two legs." ₄

Is Homosexual Behavior Moral or Immoral?

This is a matter of opinion. The Gallup Organization commented in 2002 that: "Homosexuality continues to be one of the more complex and in some ways paradoxical areas of public opinion measured by Gallup. The issue is not only one of significant concern because of its traditional moral and religious overtones, but in recent years has been at the center of state and federal legislative battles, highly publicized court challenges and political debate." ₅

In association with recent Gallop Polls described above, the following question was asked: "Do you personally believe homosexual behavior is morally wrong or is not morally wrong?" The question is not well designed. A person's answer might well depend upon what exact group is being referred to.

Most political and religious conservatives probably have no difficulty answering that it is always morally wrong. However, a substantial portion of the public probably believes that the morality of any sexual behavior depends upon the situation and the scope of the question:

	Homosexual behavior by heterosexuals might be considered morally wrong; the same activity by homosexuals might be acceptable.
	Some subjects might interpret the question to with reference to themselves. i.e. whether homosexual behavior is morally acceptable or wrong for a person with their particular sexual orientation.
	Others might interpret the question to refer to society at large.
	Others might assume that the question refers only to persons with homosexual orientation.
	Some subjects might consider any manipulative, coercive or unsafe sex to be immoral; consensual, safe sex by two adults in a monogamous, committed relationship to be moral - whether gay or straight.

But answers such as "it depends upon the situation" are not allowed. It is surprising that a polling organization as skilled as the Gallup Organization would create such a poorly worded question. ₆ It seems to reflect their belief that a single answer is possible for all situations and persons of all sexual orientations. One is left wondering what the results would be to a survey that asked: "Do you personally believe that it is morally wrong or not morally wrong for gays and lesbians to engage in homosexual behavior?"

American adults approval of homosexual behavior appears to be steadily increasing. The percentage of adults who are undecided is dropping steadily. The percentage of those who are undecided is also dropping. This appears to be primarily age-driven, as youth and young adults are must more accepting of homosexuality. ₇

Related essays:

	What determines a person's sexual orientation?
	Beliefs about homosexuality. Studies of sexual orientation
	Is it beneficial to society; should homosexuals have equal protection?
	Attempting to change one's sexual orientation via reparative therapy
	What the Bible says about homosexuality.
	Lesbian/gay terminology

References:

1. The McLaughlin Group's home page is at: http://www.mclaughlin.com
2. Bruce Bagemihl, "Biological Exuberance: Animal homosexuality and natural diversity," St. Martins Press, (1999) Read reviews or order this book safely from Amazon.com online book store
3. Athenadorus, "Homosexuality: Its Genetic Basis & Evolutionary Benefit," at: http://www.danaanpress.com/alib/hsex.html
4. "El Paso Herepeofauna: Lizards: New Mexico Whiptail" at: http://www.utep.edu/epbionet/cheklist/herps/hl08cnew.htm 
5. "Special report: Homosexuality," 2002-SEP-11, at: http://www.gallup.com/
6. Gallop Poll Archives, "Americans remain more likely to believe sexual orientation due to environment, not genetics," at: http://www.gallup.com/POLL_ARCHIVES/980725.htm
7. "Six out of 10 Americans Say Homosexual Relations Should Be Recognized as Legal," The Gallup Organization, 2003-MAY-15, at: http://www.gallup.com/ Gallup Poll data typically remains accessible to the public for a limited time, and then requires a premium membership to access.
8. Mel White, "Stranger at the Gate: To Be Gay and Christian in America,"  Plume, (1995). Read reviews or order this book safely from Amazon.com online book store

Copyright © 1996 to 2009 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Latest update: 2009-NOV-11
Author: B.A. Robinson

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