Lee Ogilvie Position Paper Homosexuality is moral.

. Contemporary Moral Issues For thousands of years the issue of Homosexuality has been a complex issue that societies all across the world have had to face. It wasnt until recently, homosexuality has become more acceptable. Still the question persists; is Homosexuality moral? Complaints and claims against the morality of Homosexuality are varied. Among the most widely shared anti-homosexuality sentiments are that homosexuality is a choice which makes it an incorrect decision, homosexuality poses a risk to society, and that homosexuality has negative psychological effects which can lead to problems later on in life . In this essay, using results of different studies and statistics, I will systematically disprove these antihomosexuality theories. One of the most prominent claims against the morality of Homosexuality is that homosexuality is a choice. In the eyes of much of the world, choosing to be Homosexual is wrong, or specifically in the eyes of the religious wing of the world, it is a sin. However, recent scientific studies have proven that Homosexuality is not a choice but rather is a matter of genetics. There have been numerous scientific studies regarding the subject of homosexuality. (1) A scientific study that came out in the late 1990s suggested that (particularly male) Homosexuals had a significantly smaller INAH than (male) heterosexuals. Another study suggests, hormones have a place in determining someones sexuality. (2) The study found that homosexual men had shorter bone length (in the arms and legs) than heterosexual men. The scientists involved in the study concluded that that male homosexuals had less androgen exposure during development than male heterosexuals. With the main argument against the morality of homosexuality being that homosexuality is a choice, and choosing to be homosexuality is a wrong decision, this viewpoint has been proven to be invalid. With the fact that Homosexuality is a matter of genetics, and not a choice we as a result know it is Moral. A second well subscribed to theory which seeks to label homosexuality as immoral, is the view that homosexuals pose a threat to society. This belief has several sub-beliefs, among those are that

Lee Ogilvie Position Paper Homosexuality is moral. Contemporary Moral Issues homosexuals have a disposition to commit crimes, that homosexuals abuse more children than heterosexuals, and that homosexuals are a nuisance on society. Dr. Niclas Berggren is a leading scholar who has laid out several studies in support of the morality of homosexuality. (3) One suggested theory is that homosexuals pose a threat to society because there are visible and can leave a lasting impression on other people. Dr. Berggren points out, that Homosexuals are an extreme minority and thus, unless some homosexuals are grouped together, homosexuality as a culture is unable to effect the fabric of a culture and/or society. Another widely subscribed to sub-theory, is that homosexuals are more likely to abuse children sexually. In his findings, Dr. Berggren quotes UC Davis Professor Dr. Gregory M. Herek who states "The empirical research on adult sexual orientation and molestation of children does not show that gay men are any more likely than heterosexual men to molest children One of the most lasting anti-homosexuality views is that homosexuality poses a threat to family. Dr. Berggren points out that many homosexuals have families which are perfectly functional. He says that those who see homosexuality as a threat to family simply do not see that homosexuals have families and if they took that into account, this argument would become invalid. Since these theories have been proven to have no basis, we can conclude that, at least in terms of morality, homosexuality poses no threat to society. A third theory against the morality of homosexuality is that homosexuality has negative psychological effects. Dr. Gregory M. Herek, Professor of Psychology at the University of California Davis has written extensively on this subject. (5) Dr. Herek points out that even as early as 1935 (a time in which homosexuals were often killed by mob) theorists such as Sigmund Freud, have stated Homosexuality is assuredly no advantage, but it is nothing to be ashamed of, no vice, no degradation Dr. Herek also uses the example of studies conducted by Psychologist Evelyn Hooker. Among the studies that Hooker conducted was a study in which she compared men on a scale of one to ten, while being unaware of the mans sexual orientation at the time of the test. When the test was over, homosexuals

Lee Ogilvie Position Paper Homosexuality is moral. Contemporary Moral Issues and heterosexuals had nearly identical results. Another study by Hooker used TAT and MAPS to evaluate the psychological adjustment of the men. The study found that no distinguishable difference in ratings between homosexuals and heterosexuals could be made. Over the years, the Psychological evaluation of homosexuality has evolved. In 1973, Homosexuality was removed as a Psychological Disease by the American Psychological Association. In 1982, Gonssiorek, a Psychological expert, stated Homosexuality in and of itself is unrelated to psychological disturbance or maladjustment. Homosexuals as a group are not more psychologically disturbed on account of their homosexuality. Based on all these studies, we can conclude that morally, there are no problems with homosexuality in terms of psychology. The claims against the morality of homosexuality have occurred for over a thousand years. The validity of the claims being made is questionable at best. Among the most prominent theories, homosexuality is a choice, homosexuality poses a threat to society, and negative psychological effects, none really have much ground to stand on. Through it all, homosexuality has definitely been a controversial subject. Controversial or not, that does not mean that homosexuality is immoral. Because of the fact that there are no negative psychological effects, no negative societal effects, and homosexuality is a matter of genetics, it is safe to conclude that Homosexuality is moral.

Lee Ogilvie Position Paper Homosexuality is moral. Contemporary Moral Issues WORKS CITED 1. LeVay, S. 1991. A difference in hypothalamic structure between heterosexual and homosexual men. 2. Martin, J. T. and D. H. Nguyen. 2004. Anthropometric analysis of homosexuals and heterosexuals: implications for early hormone exposure 3. http://hem.passagen.se/nicb/threat.htm 4. http://psychology.ucdavis.edu/rainbow/html/facts_mental_health.html