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 who were either in prison or who were mentally ill and under the care of a therapist). She found that gays and lesbians exhibited a normal range of mental health. Two decades later, professional mental health associations agreed. Today, there remains a difference of opinion between two solitudes:
Whether any of the three sexual orientations is either moral or immoral under a given set of circumstances is determined by ones ethics and are often greatly influenced by each person's religious faith. However the other four properties of each sexual orientation -- whether it is normal or abnormal, natural or unnatural, chosen or un chosen, fixed or changeable can be determined by scientific study. Unfortunately, the two solitudes are poles apart in their thinking. They very rarely engage in meaningful dialogue. Both are probably quite unable to accept evidence that contradicts their opinions. And so the conflict is guaranteed to continue. Harmony may well extend into the late 21st century, if then.
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