Homosexual Orientation

Beliefs and professional associations'
statements about homosexual orientation

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Overview:

Until the 1950s, people were of a common opinion about sexual orientation. Lesbians and gays stayed firmly in the closet. Same-sex behavior was considered a criminal act by legislatures and a very serious sin amongst almost all faith groups. Mental health professionals considered them mentally ill. Then, Evelyn Hooker, a research psychologist, decided to study gays and lesbians in their natural habitat. (Previous studies had been done among lesbians and gays in prison or who were mentally ill).

She found that gays and lesbians exhibited a normal range of mental health. Two decades later, professional mental health associations agreed.

Today, there is a difference of opinion between most:

	Gays, lesbians, bisexuals, mental health professionals, religious liberals and progressives, who consider the three sexual orientations -- heterosexuality, bisexuality, and homosexual -- to be all normal and natural, unchosen and fixed, while
	Religious and social conservatives who consider the three sexual orientations to be abnormal, unnatural, chosen and changeable.

Topics covered in this section:

	A brief history of homosexual orientation; Obstacles inhibiting study
	One more obstacle preventing study. Implications from a lack of consensus.
	Statements by professional associations. Research data.

Related menu on this web site:

Reparative Therapy - all sides

Copyright © 1998 to 2009 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Originally written: 1998-FEB-5
Latest update: 2009-NOV-04
Author: B.A. Robinson

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