As homosexuality a sexual orientation is called. There is a romantic and erotic desire for one's own gender.
What is homosexuality?
Homosexuality means to orientate oneself romantically and sexually to one's own gender. While homosexual women use the slang term "lesbian", homosexual men are called "gays". If, on the other hand, there is both sexual interest in one's own sex and in the opposite sex, we speak of bisexuality. Estimates assume that between 2 and 4 percent of men and women in Germany are homosexual.
The term homosexuality was created in 1869 by the Austro-Hungarian writer Karl Maria Kertbeny (1824-1882). In addition, the term uranism was common in the 19th century. In ancient times, homosexuality was the highest form of erotic expression. In later epochs such as the Middle Ages or modern times, same-sex love was classified as a sin. In particular, religious and ideological standpoints played an important role.
Even today there are cultures that reject homosexuality as abnormal and unnatural, while Western societies are increasingly open to it. The gay and lesbian scene in Germany is largely accepted and has numerous centers in larger cities. In addition, there are various meeting points, advice centers and artistic activities.
However, in other countries homosexual people continue to face discrimination and persecution. In Germany, however, homosexual couples have been able to enter into registered civil partnerships since 2001. These partnerships are closely related to marriage and include: a. mutual maintenance obligations and the right to a common name. Nevertheless, even here the couples are still denied equality with heterosexual couples (for example with regard to adoption).
Function & task
It is still unclear what causes homosexual orientation. Therefore, different theories serve as explanatory models. This includes the thesis that human sexual orientation takes place before birth and that same-sex predispositions are inherited. Another theory, on the other hand, makes the individual development of man responsible for the development of homosexuality. Presumably it is just as natural a circumstance as heterosexuality, which, however, has been defined for centuries as the only "correct" way of being (heteronormativity).
Just as unclear as the causes of homosexuality are its functions. In the case of a genetic disposition, the question of its use for human evolution arises. Properties that hinder human reproduction were considered negative in the past. Science is therefore exploring the question of whether there could be an evolutionary advantage given the frequency of homosexuality. Different theories have also been developed on this. Some researchers assume that renouncing their own children is caused by a selection of relatives within the clan. This way, more people can care for the offspring. However, the evolutionary theoretical benefit of homosexuality remains unexplained, since the same effect can also be achieved with asexuality.
However, as some scientists put it, overall it can be questioned whether the human concept of love is necessarily related to the optimal mode of reproduction. As Richard David Precht argues, monogamous love can even stand in the way of a higher number of offspring. Love, sex and procreation can thus also be thought of separately from one another.
In addition, homosexuality is not limited to humans, it also occurs in the animal world. Homosexual behavior was found in around 1500 different animal species. This is mainly documented in the bonobos, which are great apes.
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Some diseases are associated with homosexuality, whereby sexual orientation is not the actual cause of these diseases, but is correlated with them through other circumstances. For a long time this primarily included AIDS (HIV). In Western countries, the HI virus initially spread strongly among homosexual men, which was due to the high risk of infection due to anal intercourse. AIDS was still a very unknown infectious disease at that time. However, over the years it was possible to raise awareness of the virus. The awareness campaigns also made it possible to correct incorrect views about homosexual people. For example, the idea that AIDS is a punishment for men pursuing the "sin" of same-sex love.
According to the medical opinion, gays only belong to the AIDS risk groups if they engage in unprotected anal intercourse with changing sexual partners. The same applies to all other sexual couples, as an infection with the HI virus is in principle possible in every person.
Homosexuality is also often associated with psychological problems. Quite a few gays and lesbians are afraid of coming out because they fear negative reactions from their parents, relatives or friends. In some cases, this leads to quarrels with the family, which in turn causes severe psychological stress for those affected. Discrimination in the workplace is also conceivable, so that some homosexuals prefer not to come out.
Coming out and especially the acceptance from the living environment means an important process in order to be able to find one's own sexual identity. The suppression of this identity can trigger mental illnesses such as anxiety disorders, depression or the abuse of alcohol, drugs and medication in the further course. This in turn has a negative effect on the quality of life of homosexual people. In the worst case, suicide attempts are even made. Homosexual men are four times more likely to commit suicide than heterosexuals. In contrast, lesbian women have a higher risk of alcohol dependence.
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