The Myths and the Facts

Myth 1..Homosexuality is a mental illness or disease Fact.. Homosexuality is not a mental illness or emotional problem. Until the 1970s, it was believed to be so, but that was primarily because the only research done involved only those people who were in threapy. Better research has since revealed that many homosexuals have no problems either mentally or emotionaly. For those who do have some emotional problems, it is primarily because of the stigma that society has placed on homosexuals. Once a homosexual is able to accept themselves, then they often lead a fruitful life. Myth 2..Sexual orientation is a choice. Fact.. Sexual Orientation is not a choice. Sexual orientation is usually nanifests itself in early adolescence prior to any sexual experience. What is a choice is a person's decision to act on their orientation, or to deny act and act against it. Doing the latter can create emotional problems at a later date. Myth 3..Reparative therapy and conversion therapy will cure homosexuality. Fact .. There is no reparative therapy or conversion for homosexuals. Once a person's orientqation is set, it cannot be changed from homosexual to heterosexual. It is possible that the person, with time, may overcome their willingness to act on their orientation, but this is something that should be decided by the individual, and not forced by such things as therapy or conversion therapy. Claims by groups on conversion therapy are poorly documented, and little if any long term follow up is done, so any findings on such therapy are unrealistic. Myth 4..Homosexuals should not be allowed to raise kids because it will create probelms for the kids. Fact .. Gays and lesbians can be good parents.All studies done show that children raised in homosexual households are at the same developmental level as those raised in heterosexual homes. In fact, children raised in the home of a homosexual parent are likely to be more accepting of people who others may shun. Myth 5.. Homosexuals are carriers of HIV and AIDS Fact.. All homosexual males are not HIV infected. In fact, the rise in HIV infections is actually higher among other high risk groups right now than it is among homosexual males. A person's behavior decides primarily their risk for infection. Myth 6.. Homosexuals want to force their lifestyle on others. Fact.. The reason most homosexuals are so open about their sexual orientation is for their own mental health. It is helpful to a person's self esteem to have others know about them, rather than hiding, and also helps to develop a better understanding about homosexuals. Myth 7.. Homosexuals come from broken homes or homes without a religous background. Fact.. Homosexuality is not a product of poor upbringing or lack of religous beliefs. In fact, homosexuals come from all types of family backgrounds, and from all walks of life. They also represent almost all religions. Myth 8.. Child abuse leads to homosexuality. Fact.. There is no proof that abuse as a child causes a person to be homosexual. In fact, many who are abused as a child often grow up to be heterosexual. Myth 9..Homosexuals are miserable people, often with deep depression. Fact.. Homosexuals are not lonely, miserable people. This is an idea that many conservative religous groups would like to be true, and reenforce with the stigmas they palce on homosexuals. In fact, most homosexuals lead a healthy, productive life once they overcome the burden of stigmas placed on them. Myth 10..Gays flaunt their sexuality. Fact.. Most gays do not flaunt their sexuality. In fact, a double standard has been set in place regarding homosexuals. It is alright for a heterosexual couple, whether they are married or not, to openly kiss, hug, or hold hands in public, while it is considered wrong for comitted homosexual coupls to do so. Myth 11..What gays do in bed is perverted and disgusting. Fact.. What two consenting adults do in the privacy of their bedroom is no one's. The fact is, gays don't do anything in bed that heterosexuals don't do themselves. Myth 12..Homosexuals are child molesters. Fact.. Heterosexual males are the most likely to be child molesters. In fact, males who do molest children of the same sex are normally involved with teh opposite sex in normal adult activities. Myth 13..Homsexuals recruit and seduce otehrs to the homosexual lifestyle. Fact.. This is another myth perpetrated by religous conservatives. Think for a moment. How hard would it be for a homosexual to recruit others? They would face harassment and ridicule from others, and possibly death if the wrong person was approached. Myth 14..Gays have a hidden agenda. Fact.. Gays are very straight foward in what they want, equal rights and equeal protection of those rights. It is organozations that are opposed to gays that speak of a hidden agenda. Myth 15.. Gays want special rights. Fact.. Once again, it is opposition groups that speak of gays wanting special rights. Heterosexuals do not have to worry about losing their job or not being able to rent a place to live because of their sexuality, while homosexuals do. Since some will ask for my sources, I will freely give them. Some of these facts comes from the Center for Disease Control, American Psycholigical Association, and the American Psychiatric Association. Many of the facts can be checked at the following sites; http://www.thebody.com/apa/apafacts.html http://www.apa.org/pubinfo/answers.html http://hcqsa.virtualave.net/ http://hem.passagen.se/nicb/facts.htm

Last Updated on Wednesday, 23 December 2009 17:31