Scenario that was given ~~~~~~~
Two men are in a relationship......
One is openly gay and very comfortable with his life. The second thinks he is a woman - he has no desire to have gender changing surgery as he is comfortable with his body.
Is this a homosexual or hetrosexual relationship?
According to the professor it is hetrosexual and thinking otherwise is to fail this part of the course due to the fact the second man believes he is a woman.
Is anyone else confused by this answer?
Some questions I can't get out of my head.....
1) What if he changes his mind and dates women, was he really gay before?
2) What about the other man's feelings as he believes in his life choices?
Opinions please...... this course is driving me nuts.
2007-11-20 09:50:50 · 14 answers · asked by Akkita 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
I am not looking to upset anyone, grind anyone nerves or anger anyone - just understand and get through this course with my sanity.
2007-11-20 10:10:40 · update #1
That doesn't make any sense. With it being a PHYSIOLOGY class, the starting point is therefore based on what he IS, not what he thinks he is.
He is a man (regardless of what he thinks) physically in every way.
He is with a man.
Therefore, he is gay!
2007-11-20 10:05:07 · answer #1 · answered by David Calisuni 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First off, the professor didn't ask the question correctly, so I really don't see a right answer to this, but I will offer up my insight as a gay man who knows a fair amount about the transgender and gay community.
You said the first man is openly gay. That means that he is a male who feels attracted and drawn to men. You said the second man thinks he is a woman. The only information that gives us is that he believes his gender (not sex) to be female. That doesn't tell us his sexual orientation at all! Sexual orientation, gender, as well as sex, are completely different things, so it would be impossible to tell if it was a heterosexual or homosexual relationship without knowing the sexual orientation of the second man. However, just knowing that the two are in a relationship tells me that they are most likely heterosexual. If he believes that he is a women, then he is a woman, regardless of his sex. If a woman had her breasts cut off, does that mean she's not a woman anymore? Of course not! And it's not anyone else's place to be deciding the gender of other people.
2007-11-20 11:19:21 · answer #2 · answered by Kyle 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why does there have to be a label?
Can they just be two men with different personalities, likes, dislikes, etc who are in a relationship together.
Does it have to be either?
I guess so by what the professor says. I would not think it's hetersexual. If the guy beleives he is a woman, but is not going to have surgery, then he must not think he's that much of a woman if he's not making changes.
2007-11-20 10:33:00 · answer #3 · answered by QuantumJourney 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Since he still has his male organs, it is a homosexual relationship, unless they are not having sex. Then it would be a plutonic relationship. Just because one thinks he is a woman, does not change his sexual orientation, since he is still a man physically. Now, also, if the guy that thinks he is a woman, may think he is in a heterosexual relationship because of his belief.
Boy, the more I think about it, with his answer, it is confusing. Hope I didn't make it more confusing for you, but that is my opinion, and my only thoughts about this.
2007-11-20 10:37:12 · answer #4 · answered by cydnimo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wait. This is a physiology class ? Hello. They both have penises. I suppose at best this could be a non-pre-op transgendered relationship, but it is in no way "heterosexual". That just beggars belief. Sounds like your prof has an agenda however, and for grades, best to nod and smile.
Honestly, this sort of confusing ax grinding does no one any good.
2007-11-20 10:05:20 · answer #5 · answered by Telemachus R 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
the text book definity of homosexuality is that of a person haveing sex with a person of the same sex... so by definition unless the man who thinks of himself a woman does not have a sex change they are homosexuals in his every day life if he applied for a job or went into the military he would have to register as a man because he is still a man and by definition would be a homosexual... no clinically he can be considered heterosexual based on his view of who he is... so I suppose his therapist can call him a hetersexual female but based in the general public he would still be a homosexual... its a funky grey area and it sounds like your teacher just feels like throwing his weight around... if the teacher is a guy you should ask him if hes comfortable as a woman LOL that might get you an F though never mind LOL hey just do what you have to and get an A and you can always ask another teacher in the dept what their oppinion of that is... or better yet bring it up to his dept head unless he happens to be it...
2007-11-21 06:36:38 · answer #6 · answered by zipohda 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would say homosexual. From a physcological point of view, its a heterosexual relationship to the second guy, but obviously its a homosexual relationship to the first guy, as he's openly gay so considers himself to be with a man. Physically its a homosexual relationship. I agree with someone b4 me, you're professor is a moron with no understanding of opinions, either answer should be acceptable providing it's backed up.
2007-11-20 11:10:14 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
how can you believe you are a woman? im sorry, i dont mean to be crude, just factual. a woman has a vagina, a uterus, ovaries, etc; a man has a penis, testicles, etc. since when do we choose what we are. havent our chromosomes any say. XY is male; XX is female. thats all there is to it. physiologically, a man and woman "fit" sexually. what is the world coming to? i mean, its not like you can change your feelings, but feelings are not supposed to replace the truth that sex was meant to be one way. im not trying to be mean. my absolute bestest friend is gay. and i struggle. but i know what is natural and decide that what i feel should not determine truth or science.
2007-11-20 10:10:55 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The difference is sexual orientation and sexual identity. I would consider them a Gay guy with a Girlfriend. Scientifically they are two Gay guys.
2007-11-20 09:58:40 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I guess in physiology, it is what you think and not what is fact that counts.
So the openly gay guy is in a relationship with a guy who thinks he is a girl.
So if the openly gay guy is the guy and the guy who thinks he is a girl is the openly gay guy`s partner, then it is a hetrosexual relationship because there is a girl and a guy.
Your professor is a wack job and shouldn`t be teaching anything.
2007-11-20 09:59:59 · answer #10 · answered by Blessed 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋