Originally posted by Beyond_the_Veil
People don't take the "decision to be[come] homosexual" - there is no logical argument or science behind this. Correct me if I am wrong, but it seems to me you are thinking of sexuality in terms of the intercourse and action - when, in reality, sexuality goes well beyond that. It's a complex term we give to the entire experience and awareness of gender identity and sexual thoughts. There is more to a sexual orientation than just the physical needs and actions.
So going by the dictionary definition, a person can be a closeted gay and married (and consequently sexually active) to a woman for all his life. At the same time, it is entirely possible for the heterosexual community to experiment with alternate sexuality, but that wouldn't make them gay. It's not the action but the desire that marks one's sexuality.
The exact cause of homosexuality has not been pinpointed and proven beyond reasonable doubt by the scientific establishment, but most scientifically minded organisations do regard it as something that one has no control over - the only choice is whether to act upon the desire or not. The desire, however, is not something one can choose to have and stay with them.
Environment and upbringing probably does play a part in forming ones sexuality - how important and crucial it is, we will have to wait and see - but that still does not make it something one is consciously choosing for oneself. In fact most people who are sexually active did not one day wake up and suddenly decide to be gay or straight.
Homosexual actives are quite common in prisons and similar places where finding members of the opposite sex could be difficult - but it's the basic human drive for sex that leads people to experiment and release their sexual needs by fornicating with anyone they could get hold of, not their natural desire that does. Again, has there been any documented case where prisoners were still 'into' homosexuality even after being released from prisons?
I have never come across this piece that there are more LGBTs in Saudi Arabia. Would you back up that with any reliable source, because so far I have not come across this information. It seems to me that from an outsider's perspective, the number of gays, lesbians and bisexuals may seem alarmingly high - because of the archaic and barbaric punishments (often) used against the community there. Similarly, in Iran, sex change is a very common scenario because while Iran does not acknowledge the existence of gays (and it is a criminal offense, to some cases leading to even capital punishment), they do permit sex change as a 'remedy' to the homosexual problem (what they perceive it to be), and desperate gays, lesbians and bisexuals will take any mean to avoid facing public flogging, capital punishment or a celibate life. This is a sad scenario actually - people who are comfortable with their gender and body are now forced to give it up for their love and relationship.
Most people don't turn homosexul, but are born that way either due to a variation in the hypothalamus or a gene passed on from father to son. Psycologists, in addition to these factors also consider environment to play a crucial role. I have posted the excerpt from Wikipedia that is in accordance with my earlier post and I posted a few other links as well which say much about the same thing. It is what
I have understood and correct
me if I'm wrong😛. I'm no expert in homosexuality and if I have any misconception, more than willing to get it cleared😳 The part about childhood trauma seemed a possibility to me and thought besides the genetic reason, this could be a possibility as well😕
And no, I don't mean just the act. The act as such could be had for various reasons and as you say, men can have sexual relations with men and still have a wife and he cannot be called "gay".
I'm afraid I don't have any proof in the form of links to support my statement about Saudi Arabia. I read it in a book. It's called the Daughters of Arabia.
I'm searching for internet proof though, and the moment I find anything that supports or negates my statement, I shall definately post it😊