SOCIETAL ATTITUDES TOWARDS HOMOSEXUALITY

Since time immemorial societal attitudes towards homosexuality vary greatly across different cultures and historical periods and people around the world look at homosexuality through different perspectives. All cultures have their own values regarding the so called “appropriate” and “inappropriate” sexuality while some may sanction same-sex love, others may disapprove. Religion based gender norms and sexual beliefs of conservatism adversely affects and influences the life of people because according to these people and their religious beliefs homosexuality is an offence and people involved in same-sex relationships face harsh consequences of following their heart and opening up socially. Homophobic attitudes in the society can manifest themselves in the form of opposition to LGBTQ rights, anti-LGBTQ hate speech, violence against LGBTQ people etc. DIFFICULTIES IN THE INTERPRETATION OF HOMOSEXUALITY The biggest problem related here is that a huge percentage of the population don’t possess any knowledge about homosexuality and some even if they do, its interpreted in a wrong and negative way. People have their own assumptions about homosexuality and spread things accordingly i.e. what looks like same-sex sexuality to a western observer may not be “same-sex” or “sexual” at all to the people actually engaged in it. Then there are obviously different meanings based on cultures, religions and traditions. ANTI-HOMOSEXUAL ATTITUDES- CONSERVATISM Conservatism includes people of many views while a significant portion of its adherents consider homosexuals and their efforts to achieve their own rights and privileges as a threat to the valued traditions. An example of conservative views can also be found in the discussion of what conservatives call "homosexual recruitment", within a document released by the conservative Christian organization Alliance Defense Fund states. More generally, conservatives—by definition—prefer that institutions, traditions and values remain unchanged, and this has put many of them in opposition to efforts designed to increase the cultural acceptance and legal rights of homosexuals. PSYCHOLOGY AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION. In 1973, the AMERICAN PSYCHIATRY ASSOCIATION finally removed homosexuality from the list of diagnosed mental health disorders and promoted more acceptance in terms of their identity. Many religious groups and other advocates believe that they can cure homosexuality through conversion therapy or other methods of changing sexual orientation. Many Western health and mental health professional organizations believe sexual orientation develops across a person's lifetime, but that this therapy is unnecessary, potentially harmful, and the effectiveness has not been rigorously and scientifically proven. In many non-Western post-colonial countries, homosexual orientation is still considered to be a mental disorder and illness. In Muslim areas, this position is ascribed to the earlier adoption of European Victorian attitudes by the westernized elite, in areas where previously native traditions embraced same-sex relations. Also in many places people blame homosexuality as the cause for plagues and disasters and link them to child abuse, rapes and molestations. LEGAL STATUS OF HOMOSEXUALITY AROUND THE WORLD, ACCEPTANCE AND APPROACH. The legal status of homosexuality varies greatly around the world. Homosexual acts between consenting adults are known to be illegal in about 70 out of the 195 countries of the world. Especially under the SODOMY LAWS, homosexuality is considered completely illegal and in some places where its legal, the age of consent differs from one country to another. In some cases, homosexuals are prosecuted under vaguely worded "public decency" or morality laws. Some countries have special laws preventing certain public expressions of homosexuality. Discrimination is done on the basis of sexual orientation in many public places, institutions, work places, schools and colleges, private organizations etc. Since the 1970s, much of the world has become more accepting of homosexual acts and relationships. Legal recognition of same-sex relationships also vary greatly. Legal, economic and social privileges such as spousal benefits, immigration, parenting and access to different related treatments and ways, adoption, health benefits, pensions, jobs, salaries, power of attorney, family inheritance and property etc are sometimes given to them presently in many countries. On the other end there are many countries abiding their religious laws who give DEATH PENALTY as a consequence of involving into same-sex relationships. In 2001, Netherlands became the first country to legally recognise same-sex marriages. Now people come out and open up with more ease than that of before. There are social organizations, laws, government privileges which help them in many ways. Every year the month of June is celebrated as the PRIDE MONTH in order to respect, honour and celebrate these people. The first pride march was held in the New York City by a bisexual activist. Thank You. Archita Munshi.

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