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In recent years
homosexuals
(especially
men) have had
to battle through
the difficulties
associated with
the discovery
of HIV and the
AIDS virus.
Initially AIDS
was seen as
a 'gay plague'
(as it was only
found among
gay men).
But as more
heterosexual
people became
infected AIDS
is now seen
not merely as
a 'gay problem'
but as a global
concern. An
AIDS epidemic
is something
that should
concern us all.
Whether we accept
homosexual behavior
as normal will
depend on a
number of factors.
First, it depends
on our family
and upbringing.
If we have been
exposed to homophobic
attitudes then
it is likely
(although not
certain) that
we will be homophobic
as well. Religion
also plays a
large part and
can have a dramatic
effect on our
morals, values
and ethics.
Another factor
is whether we
have been exposed
to homosexual
behavior. If
we have had
a bad homosexual
encounter this
may lead us
to see homosexuality
(and homosexuals)
as perverted.
However, a positive
encounter could
lead one to
embrace homosexual
values and way
of life. All
these factors
have an influence
on whether we
see homosexuality
as 'normal'
or not. Thus
homosexual practice
seems to be
assessed primarily
in the light
of our presuppositions
concerning homosexual
behavior.
The outcome
of this is that
many people
do not believe
homosexual behavior
to be the issue
but people's
attitudes. One's
acceptance or
rejection of
homosexual behavior
seems to have
little to do
with the homosexual
'act' itself
but how we
feel
about such 'activity'.
Despite the
fact that homosexual
reproduction
is not normal
as far as evolution
and our genetics
is concerned
it does seem
to be normal
when it comes
to people living
honestly as
the person they
believe they
are. On this
basis many people
believe it to
be wrong to
deny homosexuals
this right.
It also seen
as wrong to
deny them the
right to express
this in physical
ways. Thus it
seems homosexuals
do not want
the world to
be gay but they
do want people
to be more accepting
of them for
who they are.
Is there anything
abnormal with
that?
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