Why can't gay/lesbians be called a physical disorder?

Question

No offence. But just because there is no medical treatment for this, we shouldn't just assume that this is natural. It's a human body disorder and medical science needs to find a cure for this rather than saying that this is nothing but natural.

Answer 1

Because it's sexual orientation and not a disorder. That's like asking why isn't being left handed considered a physical disorder. I mean it was a century ago but fortunately people aren't that narrow minded any more. Oh wait yes they are they have just moved on to different things. I don't get why if you aren't gay or lesbian it even concerns you. I know what people do in their own homes doesn't bother me. They aren't hurting anyone so whats the problem. If animals can do it then there must be some natural reason for it.

Answer 2

The Ancient Greeks practised homosexuality but apparantly believed that orginally humans were hermaphrodites. When they inadvertantly offended the gods they were cut in half and were doomed to having to spend their lives searching for their partner so that they could be whole again. So, society can be mixed up as to what it thinks is 'normal' or 'right'. In our current society being gay and lesbian is accepted - so you can't call it a physical disorder. But one thing is certain the whole world will never agree on anything, and perhaps this is why you don't accept it?

Answer 3

Its not physical but genetic or perhaps emotional. But I'd go for the genetics.

Its how the animal kingdom works...... if an animal was born with defects that would best be removed from the future gene pool then nature kicks in to produce a way to stop that happening, either by termination(death) or by making the animal less likely to reproduce in some other way. And if the individual would have an alternative use to give whilst alive then nature would not necessarily seek the termination route.

Its concerning that those people deemed by nature to have no use within the gene pool are now able to look after some other persons children in a rather iffy set of circumstances. Very worrying.

I'm not sure if a medical trwatment would ever be found to alter an individuals gene setup to make them normal, they're doomed unfortunately.

Answer 4

...Interesting Rajesh that everyone is taking offence - even though you said "no offence".
Your question shows that you don't understand what most people mean by a disorder. Lots of the replies seem to think that being gay does not NEED to be cured and so is not a disorder, and I guess I would agree although I am not gay myself. Being gay stops you being able to carry out a typical (but not universal) human function which is pairing up to generate and raise children but it doesn't stop you pairing and supporting and loving (and even raising children successfully if you adopt them). It's not essential that everyone pairs and reproduces for humans to get on very nicely thank you. In fact we could do with a little less multiplication going on. Too many people. Maybe a reasonable percentage of people being gay is a healthy response to having too big a population. And they seem to mostly enjoy it and often to be perfectly normal and nice people (just like the rest of the human race). So how is that a "disorder"?

Answer 5

I cannot understand how you can say no offence at the begining of your question and then go on to be offensive. Why should people be considered disordered and in need of a cure because their choice of sexual partner is different to yours? Why does it need treating?


I find your comments offensive, I will not report them as I believe passionatly in free speech, as are many of those that I have read so far in the answers to this question. By suggesting that people have a physical (or mental) disorder you are suggesting that their lifestyle is inappropriate and deviant. Do you not deviate from the norm in any way? Does that make you deviant - no of course not. Different not deviant.

Being gay or lesbian is not a lifestyle choice anymore than your fancying the opposite sex is a choice. It who you are.

Cure is for illness and disease - lets worry about curing cancer, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and all those other life stealing disgusting illnesses that steal peoples health and lives.

Leave healthy people to their follow their own life affirming path.

In 1992 that the World Health Organisation ceased to classify homosexuality as a mental disorder, followed by the UK Government in 1994 It was not classified as a physical disorder at any point.

Answer 6

Actually I believe its 50/50. Some people are born with the opposite sexs genes making the homosexual. Some become homosexual due to their lifestyles. I dont think there should be a cure for it though. Its as "natural" as any other "disorder" cept the consequences arent that bad. So what if some dude wants a boyfriend, or a chick wants a girlfriend. As long as theyre not hurting anyone its fine. The only bad thing about homosexuality is that its tied with promiscuity and tagged with STI`s and such. Thats supposed to be the individual, but more often than not the group takes the blame - has anyone been to Manchesters Gay Village or been there during Pride. I can see why homosexuality gets a bad name. But (though Im not gay.) I have a lot of gay friends that are as normal as anyone in the street - some that arent, but hey - define normal!

Phew, that was a bit much wasnt it?

Answer 7

What is natural?. How can we really define that?. Maybe it's us hetros that have it wrong. Maybe man and women are only supposed to make babies, but have relationships with the same sex. Men spend time with their male friends guzzling beer, women spend time with their female friends - both understand each other, so should we all be attracted to the same sex but use the other sex to have babies?. It's nothing to do with the environment people live in, hetros aren't hetros because their family and friends are, it's because that's what they prefer and the same go with gay. Don't take advice from old religious books, don't listen to narrow minded people. I think it's far more unnatural to go around killing innocent humans and animals, we can't be here on the earth to kill our own, that must be wrong!. People will take offence, maybe you wanted a rise out of others, but medical science, the bible or anyone/anything else can't really answer your question. They have proved we are born with the attraction to same or different sex, or both (they are the lucky ones!). Did you know animals have gay sex?....doesn't that say something?. Why cure something that isn't an illness or disorder, why change something that's normal.....l myself being a women only attracted to men would not want doctors to find a cure for me to fancy women only...why would a gay person need a cure to change what they like?. What about the animals that are at it with each other....That's what most people would call nature !!!.

Answer 8

In her book 'The Second Sex', Simone deBeavoir wrote that 'one is not born, but rather becomes a woman' alluiding to the fact that our identities, of which heterosexuality, homosexuality and lesbiansm are merely a part, are merely constructs. Our identities are constantly reenacted through practices that express a continual process of becoming as well as being. The basic premise is that our core identities, of which our sexuality plays an important part, are socially constructed and not biologically deterministic and therefore can't be called a physical disorder. Homosexuality and lesbianism are contextually formed within and by our culture and our culture is a result of us daily creating and re-creating ourselves in a game which we both form and are players in. To call something that is formed through the social interaction of people a disorder is the same as saying that supporting a football club or wearing jeans is a disorder. As the 'cause' so to say is cultural and not biological then the only 'treatment' available is to re-examine one's own assumptions of what is 'normal'.

Answer 9

Although it is a genetic mutation, outside of sexual preference there are no other symptoms. Calling this a medical/physical disorder and looking for a cure would be akin to "curing" people of being sexually aroused by feet. Also, have you ever stopped to think about the fact that all of these people don't want to be "cured", meaning that there isn't a demand for this kind of product in the first place, although I'm sure that wouldn't stop insane christians with deep pockets from throwing money at people claiming to be looking for one.

Answer 10

Firstly this is a really stupid and obnoxious question.

In order for being gay to be a disorder, you have to make the assumption that being gay is somehow wrong.

Now as animals throught the world (including humans) demonstrate homosexual and bisexual behaviour - it's likely that this behaviour is both normal and hard wired.

There are actually human civilisations in which heterosexual behaviour is considered abberrant and only for the purposes of reproduction and homosexuality is the social norm for both sexes - bet you didn't know that did you? So take your sad stupid prejudice and place it up your bum and see just how much fun that could be...