Why are we still talking about gay and straight people as if they actually exist?

Question

I am of the opinion that there are people who have sex and there are people who don't, end of story. So why take a technicality (say, same-sex sex) and make it into an Issue? How come social constructs (as defined by Michel Foucault) such as "gay", "straight", and other nonsense matter so much to so many people?

Answer 1

Because people are born into neat, tidy little labeled boxes, right? All joking aside I believe that, especially in America, people become very uneasy if they are not able to classify someone or something, regardless of what we are talking about (i.e., race, sex, religion, etc.). It is difficult enough to not fit into the appropriate "box" but, if you are not anywhere near being in a box, well then, that's just blasphemy.

Answer 2

Why do we talk to other people as if they actually exist? I guess it beats solipsism! But, to answer your question, at least in part, the difference is that the same sex couples do not procreate and do not fulfill the Biblical mandate of "go forth and multiply," and they break other explicitly laid out biblical taboos. The social construct is based on the religious mandate, and those who violate the religious laws also violate the social order that is built upon them. If society had a majority religion that did not care one way or the other about sexual preference, then it would not be such an issue (that is, unless a political objection were made law).

Answer 3

People just want to be able to depend on something, especially if it is something that makes them uncomfortable. Being hederosexual, I can say that sex is still uncomfortable due to all of the pressures to be good at it and have a lot of it. This is probably because no one is very good at it until you get to know the other person well enough not to be nervous...But then that nervousness can be a turn-on in some cases.
I feel uncomfortable when a homosexual gets the idea that he can convert me also. It seems that people--men, women, gay, and straight, or whatever--are so insecure with their sexuality that they brag about conquests that may luckily have happened, or not, and the challenges that they boast they can overcome. People are just insecure douchebags that take it out on eachother through neurotic criticism and boasting.

Answer 4

I believe that society defines people by their sexual partner only to try to force their opinions on others. Many religions say that homosexuality is a sin. I've never checked to see exactly what the Bible does say about this issue though. I do know that as a nurse I believe that whom you choose to have sex is a personal matter. It doesn't change the person inside of you regardless of who you are having sex with. I've come across people who define themselves in many ways over the years in my profession. I've seen peoples lives destroyed because they, "Came out of the closet". I've always wondered why. Just because someone has chose to be with a partner of the same sex it doesn't make them a different person. If you could got along with that person before knowing their sexual preference, how could your opinion change so drastically? This is similar to the issue of race. I wish people wouldn't be so judgmental.

Answer 5

Because they do exist. I'm not sure what faux-reality world you've been living in, but not everybody is the same as you are. And just because someone happens to love someone else who may or may not be of the same sex, doesn't make them any less of a person that you or I. Well...less than I. Because if you think people don't exist because they're not straight, that doesn't say very much about your beliefs of values as a human being.

Answer 6

Different people do different things. Gays and Straights are both humans, of course. As are Asians and Europeans. And there are obvious distinction between everyone, it's just fun putting labels on ourselves.

It's like comparing Catholics and Protestants. They both obviously worship one God (who apparently is an old white guy with a long, white beard and a long, white robe and can smite faster than you can say "Holy Crap") and both believe that Jesus was Man's Savior. But both insist that they're completely different even though it's all basically Christianity.

Basically, we're all human beings, no matter how you look at it. It's just that we're all different from each other in one way or another.

Answer 7

Well, they do exist, but the labels as to your sexuality exist only as a point of reference, much as your political affiliation.

You wouldn't invite someone from the uber-conservative Christian Coalition to a ProChoice rally, expecting him/her to participate/approve, would you? In much the same way, if you're straight and want to go out and meet a potential relationship or just hook up, you wouldn't go to a gay bar, would you?

Sure there are people who have sex, and people who don't. Sometimes it's a choice (even a life choice), and sometimes it's circumstances. But this applies to both gay and straight people alike.

The reason labels matter to some people is that they are apprehensive, even afraid of that which is different. So many people take rumors and gossip as fact, thinking that if enough people say it, that it must be true.

Another reason is that awful religious fanaticism, which often is used as a cover for fear. Sure, the bible has "be fruitful and multiply". Of course that's difficult in a same gender partnership. But religions, like any other organization, want to survive. The best way to ensure this is for your followers to have many babies whom they will bring up in the religion, and so on. If you actively discourage homosexual relationships and promote heterosexual relationships, you have more bang for your bucks, so to speak. BTW, this same reasoning applies to religious prohibitions on birth control, too.

I personally think it's good to know about the people I meet only in asmuch as it's applicable. For instance, I really don't need to know the gender orientation of neighbors, aquaintences, my mechanic or doctor. If we progress to friendship, its as useful to know as their politics, musical tastes, whether they like dogs, or are cat people. It certainly helps if you're the type of person who matches up your friends!

Answer 8

Define Hederosexual

Answer 9

I wish i knew! i completely agree with you - but i would like to take it further .. even to races and religions. all people are humans,- they may look different, have different beliefs, preferences or whatever, but they are still human-- i hate the discrimination! you are either a good human or not. if you pricked the finger of every stereotype that exists the same color blood would come out. i think what makes humans different makes them beautiful. The world will never get past its racism or discrimination until we stop looking at people as groups - but as humans!

Answer 10

Interesting point, but I think its the definition of marriage where that becomes an issue. Many conservatives will say that marriage is a union between man and woman. Many liberals will say its a union between whatever. That's where the controversy lies.