Sexual Orientation FAQ

FAQ - Sexual Orientation

Taken in part from the fact sheet produced by the Friends Project in Seattle, WA

Sexual Orientation - 15 Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is sexual orientation?

Sexual orientation is the term people use to define what gender they are sexually attracted to. A person who has a sexual attraction to members of the opposite gender is called heterosexual (or straight), while someone who has a sexual attraction to members of the same gender is a homosexual person.

2. What terms should I use to describe homosexuals?

A woman who is sexually attracted primarily to women is called a lesbian. A man who is sexually attracted primarily to men is called a gay man. A person who is attracted to both men and women is called a bisexual person or a bi person. Together, they are often referred to as lesbigay or LBG people.

3. Does having feelings toward members of one's own sex make one a homosexual person?

Not necessarily. Many boys and girls during early childhood and adolescence have same-sex sexual attractions or experiences but do not consider themselves lesbian, bisexual or gay. Many adults also have same-sex sexual attractions or experiences but do not consider themselves lesbigay. It is up to each individual to decide for him or herself whether they are lesbian, gay, bisexual or straight.

4. What determines a person's sexual orientation?

It is not known what determines a person's sexual orientation. One theory is that sexual orientation is determined by genetic or biological factors; another theory is that it is determined after birth by environmental factors. In any case, one's sexual orientation seems to be established by a very early age.

5. Can one's sexual orientation be changed?

Since homosexuality is merely one of the variations of sexual behavior, a better question might be "Should homosexual people change? If so, why?" Studies have indicated that attempts to change one's sexual orientation are usually unsuccessful and often lead to increased depression and suicide. Statistics show that the majority of lesbigay people do not see any reason to change. Some, however, have found that accepting their sexual orientation is difficult, given the prejudice that lesbigay individuals have to deal with. Social scientists have begun to examine the effect of the distress that arises from this kind of prejudice.

6. How many lesbians and gay men are there?

Although figures vary, studies have estimated that 3-10% of the population classify themselves as lesbian or gay for a significant portion of their lives. It is difficult to determine exact percentages, and the correct figure could be much higher, as many of those who are fearful of prejudice hide their sexual orientation.

7. Can lesbigay people easily be identified?

While you may be able to identify some lesbigay individuals, most lesbigay people are, contrary to popular belief, indistinguishable from heterosexual people. There is no single lesbian or gay lifestyle. Lesbigay people lead diverse lives and work in all occupations in every part of the country and the world. They are singles and committed couples; intellectuals and jocks; rich, middle class, and poor; urban, suburban, and rural; black, Latino, Asian-Pacific, and white.

8. What kind of jobs do lesbigay people hold?

Lesbigay people work in all occupations and are part of a variety of professions. Many lesbigay individuals take precautions not to reveal their sexual orientation to others, as even efficient and effective job performance is no protection from harassment and prejudice. Therefore, we may not see a great evidence of lesbigay people in so called traditional jobs, as they may not feel safe in being "out of the closet." For example, lesbians and gay men exist in the military, although the armed services have an official stand discriminating against them. In a number of states it is legal to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation.

9. Do lesbigay people experience discrimination?

Like many other minority groups who are perceived to be "different", lesbigay people experience misunderstanding and prejudice. Name calling, harassment, physical violence and discrimination in employment and housing are a few of the ways in which lesbian and gay men are mistreated. In 1994, 4,195 violent hate crimes against lesbigay people were reported from nine major US cities(1). Lesbigay teens are three times more likely than heterosexual teens to attempt suicide(2).

10. Is homosexuality a mental illness?

No. In 1973 the following resolution was passed by The American Psychiatric Association, Board of Trustees: "Homosexuality, per se implies no impairment in judgment, stability, reliability, or general social or vocational capabilities. Further, (we) urge all mental health professionals to take the lead in removing the stigma of mental illness associated with homosexual orientation."

In many societies, homosexuality is considered quite normal. This was the case in Ancient Greece and Rome (both during their rises and declines in power), in many Native American cultures (where lesbians and gay men are influential tribal and religious leaders), and many present-day societies such as The Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden and Thailand.

11. Are homosexual people child molesters?

Pedophilia, sexual attraction to children, should never be confused with homosexuality. Many studies have documented that the overwhelming majority of child molesters are heterosexual men.

12. Are lesbigay people promiscuous?

Not any more than heterosexual people. Many lesbians and gay men are single and many are in long-term relationships. In a study by Masters and Johnson, the differences in sexual promiscuity were between men and women, regardless of sexual orientation. Lesbians and heterosexual women were generally more inclined to be emotionally committed before becoming sexually intimate, while gay and heterosexual men generally evidence less emotional involvement before becoming sexually intimate.

13. Will close personal relationships between adolescents and adults of the same sex lead to homosexuality?

No. This fear of intimate friendships, particularly between males, has had negative effects on the mental well-being and relationship of men with one other. Displays of affection between men are customary in many cultures of the world. It is also very common among men and women who are heterosexual to express love and affection for members of their same sex.

15. Is AIDS a homosexual disease?

No. AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is not a "homosexually-spread disease." Rather, it is a disease spread by unprotected, unsafe sexual behavior, both homosexual and heterosexual. (Sharing needles can also spread the virus.) In Africa, unprotected heterosexual intercourse has been the prime mode of transmission. Lesbians are the least at risk of infection with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), the virus associated with AIDS, of any population group, heterosexual or homosexual.

15. Is homosexuality against religion?

Many of the world's religions do not condemn homosexuality at all. Within the Judeo-Christian tradition, theologians and biblical scholars continue to differ on the Bible's six passages that have been used to condemn homosexual behavior. They agree on one thing, however -- Jesus said absolutely nothing at all about homosexuality. Numerous passages in the Bible do, however condemn various common heterosexual behaviors (divorce, premarital sex, masturbation, and birth control).

As knowledge has expanded, religions have also often expanded their horizons. For example, in the seventeenth century, Galileo was imprisoned by the Catholic Church for suggesting that the earth was not the center of the universe. In the 19th century, Charles Darwin was condemned for teaching the "blasphemous" theory that humans evolved from animals. Before the Civil War, many churches defended slavery on the basis that it was condoned in the Bible.

Today, many religious organizations support full civil rights for lesbians and gay men, including the National Council of Churches of Christ, the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, the Unitarian Universalist Association, the Society of Friends (Quakers), and many others. The Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches is a predominantly lesbian and gay denomination. In addition, the other denominations are reevaluating their views on homosexuality.

Notes

1 Anti-Gay/Lesbian Violence in 1994: National Trends, Analysis and Incident Summaries. Data collection by New York City Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violence Project (March 1995)

2 Gibson, P. Gay Male and Lesbian Youth Suicide, Report of the Secretary's Task Force on Youth Suicide, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1989.