If you’re confused about your sexual orientation, you’re not alone. Bisexuality and homophobia aren’t the same thing.
The differences between these two terms are vast, but understanding them can help you determine which category you belong in. It’s also helpful to know if you’re attracted to people of a particular gender.
Homosexuality
Homosexuality is a term used to describe the sexual behavior between people of the same sex. This behavior is overtly sexual, involves eroticism, and is motivated by a sexual urge. The term has been widely accepted, and the term has been used in the medical community and literature since the 19th century. However, there is no consensus on what constitutes homosexuality.
The scientific community can’t say for certain what causes a person’s sexual orientation, although a large study of twins in Sweden concluded that genetics and random environmental factors play a major role in determining a person’s sexual orientation. The leading scientist studying human sexual orientation, Dr. Qazi Rahman, has stated that the factors that determine a person’s sexual orientation are complex.
In 1952, the American Psychiatric Association published the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, which included homosexuality as a psychiatric disorder. However, this classification has come under critical scrutiny from research funded by the National Institute of Mental Health. This research repeatedly failed to provide any scientific or empirical evidence to support that homosexuality was a mental disorder.
Psychological factors that influence a person’s sexual orientation have also been studied. In particular, psychometric tests can be used to determine whether a person is homosexual or heterosexual. Psychological components of sexual orientation include “sexual passion,” “sexual urge,” and “sexual interest.” Psychological factors may also include “affection preference” and “arousal”.
Many people become homosexual because they were sexually abused as children. In addition, their parents did not model sexual activity. The authors of the book, Patterns of Sexual Behavior, assert that homosexual activity is widely accepted in 49 out of 76 cultures. The book also states that non-human primates engage in homosexual activity.
Homosexuality is no longer considered a mental illness by the American Psychiatric Association. In fact, the American Psychiatric Association opposes reparative and conversion therapy, and encourages the use of gay affirmative psychotherapy. The American Psychological Association and the National Association of Social Workers have also taken the same stand.