Homosexuality is an individual’s ability to form attraction and/or relationships with people of the same gender. It is a unique characteristic of an individual and should not be considered a disorder, or something that can be changed.
Many countries around the world are becoming more accepting of homosexuality. This is especially true among those living in wealthier and more developed economies.
Definition
Homosexuality is the sexual orientation characterized by feelings of attraction or desire for people of the same sex. It is often accompanied by romantic or sexual relationships.
A person’s sexual orientation may change throughout their life. It can be determined by their sexual experiences, the way they are attracted to other people or by their gender identity and gender expression.
The terms gay, lesbian and bisexual are generally used to describe homosexual men, women and persons who identify with both sexes. Other terms in the LGBT community include queer, questioning and LGBTQ.
The word gay was once synonymous with hedonistic lifestyles, and is now often associated with flamboyant, gaudy clothing and accessories. It can also be used to describe bars that cater primarily to a gay clientele.
Symptoms
A person who is gay can have a variety of behaviors and signs. They may be attracted to men or women.
They may be bisexual, too.
The signs of gayness are often subtle and hard to notice. However, they can be significant and may cause your husband to change his behavior and his feelings towards you.
Some of the signs include:
Treatment
Conversion therapy and reparative therapy are efforts to change someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity. They are based on the idea that being gay is a “sin” and should be cured.
Research has shown that these attempts are negative and harmful for people who are LGBTQ+. In fact, it has been proven that they can increase suicide rates among those who are LGBTQ+.
The UK government is set to outlaw so-called conversion therapy, a type of religious practice aimed at eradicating homosexuality. The British Psychological Society calls it “abhorrent”.
Laws
The laws that govern gay behavior vary greatly by country or jurisdiction, ranging from civil unions to the death penalty for homosexuality. In the United States, the legal recognition of same-sex marriage has become a major issue of the gay rights movement.
The United Nations has repeatedly called for an end to sodomy laws criminalizing homosexual conduct between consenting adults, saying such laws violate the right to privacy and freedom from discrimination.
In the United States, the gay rights movement has sought to secure the right to marry other persons of the same gender, including those who are transgender (see Transgender Individual). In addition, it has urged government to adopt nondiscriminatory policies in employment and housing.
Religion
Many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people find a sense of meaning in religion. They may be members of specific religious groups or simply have a general faith in God.
Compared with the general public, a fifth (20%) of LGBTQ adults say religion is very important in their lives. But this proportion is lower among non-LGBT adults.
Despite their higher levels of religiosity, some LGBTQ people say there is a conflict between their religious beliefs and their sexual orientation. A third of those who are affiliated with a particular religious group (33%) report this conflict, while 18% of unaffiliated LGBT adults do so.