and 'gays' in general seem to be just as lost as 'straights' when it comes to understanding underlying factors that contribute to our sexuality. Sexual orientation, especially since the late 19th century when Karl Maria Kertbeny coined the terms 'homosexual' and 'heterosexual', has became synonymous with gender orientation - homosexuality in men synonymous with effeminacy and homosexual women synonymous with overt-masculinity. History shows us that in the past, when such concepts did not exist, homosexual bonds were formed among a large proportion of masculine men who did not conform to these stereotypes. It is obvious that effeminate men are going to turn out to have a preference for men because their identities revolve around liking what other women like. Yet how does this explain homosexual feelings among masculine men? (I use men rather than women to keep it short). Rather than purely blaming genetics on homosexuality...which may be the cause of different gender orientation but not necessarily sexual orientation; can we please learn a bit more about the history of sexuality in societies where labels such as gay and straight were non-existent, and perhaps discuss why pansexuality somehow seemed to be rampant in these societies?
Look here: http://www.nickyee.com/ponder/social_con…
or here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_male_…
Most interesting in the first link is the author's discussion of the notion of the life-long predisposition of sexuality. Furthermore, the author makes note of how even within the gay community, a certain notion of what it 'means to be gay' has come about whereby people are encouraged to conform certain behavioral patterns in order for their sexuality to be recognized (this occurs among heterosexuals and homosexuals).
Considering that people such as Heinrich Ulrichs and Karl Kertbeny were effeminate gay males themselves, who only encouraged the link between male homosexuality with effeminacy and lesbianism with masculinity; its no wonder that masculine males and feminine females have done all they can to dis-identify themselves from the gay community, namely by suppressing any homosexual feelings that nature might impose on them.
PS: I have nothing against effeminate men or masculine women. All that distresses me is when people wrongly hold the belief that only people who cross the gender divide can be gay or lesbian; when we know from both the history of human society, and the animal kingdom, that this is not true! And yes, I am ''''''''gay''''''''
Look here: http://www.nickyee.com/ponder/social_con…
or here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_male_…
Most interesting in the first link is the author's discussion of the notion of the life-long predisposition of sexuality. Furthermore, the author makes note of how even within the gay community, a certain notion of what it 'means to be gay' has come about whereby people are encouraged to conform certain behavioral patterns in order for their sexuality to be recognized (this occurs among heterosexuals and homosexuals).
Considering that people such as Heinrich Ulrichs and Karl Kertbeny were effeminate gay males themselves, who only encouraged the link between male homosexuality with effeminacy and lesbianism with masculinity; its no wonder that masculine males and feminine females have done all they can to dis-identify themselves from the gay community, namely by suppressing any homosexual feelings that nature might impose on them.
PS: I have nothing against effeminate men or masculine women. All that distresses me is when people wrongly hold the belief that only people who cross the gender divide can be gay or lesbian; when we know from both the history of human society, and the animal kingdom, that this is not true! And yes, I am ''''''''gay''''''''