1. Homosexuality “I’m the only Gay in the village”
“The love that dare not speak its name”
Oscar Wilde
“I’m the only Gay in the village”

2. Homosexuality in History
Homosexuality has been subjected to misunderstanding and discrimination.
Homosexuals have been branded as perverts, their behaviour unnatural and disgusting – a threat to society and responsible for the spread of Aids.
This fear has been labled homophobia

3. There is more of an acceptance of gay rights today, partly because public attitudes have changed. The general acceptance of gay rights has been evident in TV programs. Can you think of any? The legal age for two men to have sex has dropped from 21 to 18. Not everyone accepts homosexuality – in a survey in % British men and 60% of British women are homophobic! Can you find a similar more recent survey? Have attitudes changed?

4. The origins of the word Homosexuality
This word is a combination of the Latin ‘sexus’ and
the Greek ‘homo’, which means same. More recently
gay was chosen as a positive term. The dictionary
definition of gay now refers firstly to the sexual
attraction of two people sharing the same gender
rather than the old fashioned definition which meant
‘happy’. However look at how it is used negatively
amongst today’s generation!

5. What’s in a word??
The word homosexuality was first used in 1882 as a medical term. It was regarded as a psychiatric disorder. In fact it was not taken off the list until 1973 when it was renamed ‘Sexual orientation disturbance’!!!

6. There has been constant investigation to find the cause of homosexuality…
In 1993 the American Journal of
Science contained an article
which claimed to have located the
Gene ‘responsible’ for homosexuality
in the X chromosome. 33/40 pairs
of homosexual brothers shared
certain DNA. This was later
criticised for making simplistic
assumptions.
Underlying medical cause?
Genetic predisposition?
Genetic defect?
Childhood experience/abuse?
It is now clear the human beings are not simply heterosexual but bisexual and homosexual. American researcher Kinsey stated “The world is not divided into sheep and goats”

7. Homosexuality is not natural
Eighteen century philosopher
Jean Jacques Rousseau believed
that everybody is born essentially
good and would remain so if they
stayed close to nature. It is natural to
obey the laws of nature (Aquinas
would agree). Homosexuality
does not promote or preserve life.
Homosexual sex is not part of God’s
creative propose. Sex acts should be
open to achieving the final cause –
PROCREATION. Masturbation,
contraception, oral sex and
homosexuality do not fill this purpose
and are therefore wrong.
Homosexuality is seen by some as a sin; it falls short of God’s expectations.

8. Is homosexuality a moral issue?
“the only purpose for which power can rightfully be exercised over any member of a civilised community against his will is to prevent harm to others”
John Stuart Mill
Some people believe that homosexuality
is a moral issue . Many are concerned
that it promotes promiscuity and
undermines family values which make for
an ordered society. Professor of applied
Philosophy John Harris believes that sex
activities should not even be viewed in a
moral context. Sex acts that take place
between two consenting adults may be
considered obscene and disgusting by
others. This is not a moral reaction.
People have the right to be protected
from danger and disgusting behaviour
against their will, but they have no
right stopping others from
activities that don’t harm another.

9. “Every person has a right to maximum amount of liberty compatible with allowing liberty for all”
John Rawls
Lord Delvin
Challenged these views….
Any society may take steps to preserve its own existence and that private sexual morality, like treason, could jeopardise a society’s existence. Society must take steps to preserve its own existence as an organised society even if it means prohibiting sexual immorality.
H hart
Criticises Delvin..
He states that there is a distinction between what is immoral and what is affront to public decency. He finds it difficult to see how a private act could do harm.

10. Tasks Define homosexual, heterosexual and homophobic.
List other words that have been used to describe homosexuality. Why do you think these particular words have been chosen? What do they show about peoples attitudes?
For each of the following theories state whether you think they suggest homosexuality is right or wrong. Give a reasoned response.
a) Natural Law
b) Situation Ethics
c) Kantian Ethics
d) Utilitarianism
e) Virtue Ethics
Make a list of arguments to support the idea that the government has no right to interfere with an individual’s personal life.
Make a list of arguments to support the idea that the government does have the right to interfere with an individuals personal life.