# So how did homosexuality become socially acceptable? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 9, 2004, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-did-homosexuality-become-socially-acceptable/233376 "2004-03-09T23:53:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Belrick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e56c9b/32.png) [@Belrick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belrick)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2004, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-did-homosexuality-become-socially-acceptable/233376/1 "2004-03-09T23:53:46Z")
When other deviant sexual acts are still kept at arms length of society? Because: A: We found gay culture amusing, hence shows like queer eye for the straight guy? B: They lobied hard for many many years? C: Its harmless, well as harmless as hetrosex is. D: Joe public lacks the imagination to depict men sticking penises in other mens arses so the repulsion factor is missing or easily laughed off? Which brings me to another question, how is it in most countries buggery is illegal yet homosexuality is not? Isnt that contradicktory? While im at it, is it fair to class homsexuality as a mental disorder? ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2004, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-did-homosexuality-become-socially-acceptable/233376/2 "2004-03-10T00:07:36Z")
What are these “other deviant sexual acts” you speak of? ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2004, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-did-homosexuality-become-socially-acceptable/233376/3 "2004-03-10T00:14:04Z")
> [@Belrick](#): > > While im at it, is it fair to class homsexuality as a mental disorder? Homosexuality was at one point classified as a mental disorder. In 1973, the American Psychiatric ceased classifying it as such, and to my knowledge the idea that homosexuality is a “disorder” has been pretty much universally discredited. ---
**Author:** ![carterba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/85e7bf/32.png) [@carterba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carterba)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2004, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-did-homosexuality-become-socially-acceptable/233376/4 "2004-03-10T00:16:11Z")
> [@Belrick](#): > > When other deviant sexual acts are still kept at arms length of society? > > Because: > > A: We found gay culture amusing, hence shows like queer eye for the straight guy? > B: They lobied hard for many many years? > C: Its harmless, well as harmless as hetrosex is. > D: Joe public lacks the imagination to depict men sticking penises in other mens arses so the repulsion factor is missing or easily laughed off? Homosexuality has been around as long as humans have, and it’s been more accepted in some cultures and less accepted in other cultures. Cultures change over time, and hopefully ours is moving towards greater acceptence. > [@](#): > > Which brings me to another question, how is it in most countries buggery is illegal yet homosexuality is not? Isnt that contradicktory? No. > [@](#): > > While im at it, is it fair to class homsexuality as a mental disorder? No. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2004, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-did-homosexuality-become-socially-acceptable/233376/5 "2004-03-10T00:18:39Z")
There is no factual answer to this (nasty sounding) question. Do you want my _opinion_? Peace, mangeorge ---
**Author:** ![The\_Weak\_Force](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9dc877/32.png) [@The\_Weak\_Force](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Weak_Force)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2004, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-did-homosexuality-become-socially-acceptable/233376/6 "2004-03-10T00:18:57Z")
It’s probably the number of people who practice it; I’d venture to say there are a lot more homosexuals than, say, people who have sex with their siblings. Also, if you contrast homosexuality with other “deviant” practices, it’s relatively hard to claim that someone is being harmed. For example, there’s no consent issue, since we’re talking about competent adults having sex. This makes it more acceptable to a lot of people. I won’t venture to say whether homosexuality is a mental defect; that isn’t a factual question, anyway 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2004, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-did-homosexuality-become-socially-acceptable/233376/7 "2004-03-10T00:22:17Z")
Ummm, could we either have this thread closed or moved to the Pit? It’s certainly not phrased as a Great Debate . . . ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2004, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-did-homosexuality-become-socially-acceptable/233376/8 "2004-03-10T01:05:01Z")
> [@The Weak Force](#): > > It’s probably the number of people who practice it I for one don’t have to practice homosexuality. I’m _very_ good at it. Second the request to move this trash to the Pit or close it. And a round of metaphorically washing the OP’s mouth out with soap while we’re at it. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2004, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-did-homosexuality-become-socially-acceptable/233376/9 "2004-03-10T01:09:48Z")
> [@Eve](#): > > Ummm, could we either have this thread closed or moved to the Pit? It’s certainly not phrased as a Great Debate . . . Not even _that_, **Eve** , it’s in GQ. ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2004, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-did-homosexuality-become-socially-acceptable/233376/10 "2004-03-10T01:26:25Z")
> [@Belrick](#): > > Which brings me to another question, how is it in most countries buggery is illegal yet homosexuality is not? In what country is “buggery” (sodomy) illegal but homosexuality is legal? And what is your definition of buggery/sodomy? 1 : copulation with a member of the same sex or with an animal 2 : noncoital and especially anal or oral copulation with a member of the opposite sex ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2004, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-did-homosexuality-become-socially-acceptable/233376/11 "2004-03-10T01:29:26Z")
Everyone’s chided you properly. But I counter your question with another? Why do you think homosexuality is socially acceptable in the United States? I think that the gay marriage debate that’s appearing everywhere lately is absolute, convincing proof (in the G.Q. sense) that homosexuality is indeed _not socially acceptable_ in the United States, other than in certain communities that (suprise, suprise!) are comprised of a high number of homosexuals. There’s a _huge_ degree of difference between “acceptance” and “tolerance.” ---
**Author:** ![Belrick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e56c9b/32.png) [@Belrick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belrick)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2004, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-did-homosexuality-become-socially-acceptable/233376/12 "2004-03-10T01:48:04Z")
> [@GorillaMan](#): > > What are these “other deviant sexual acts” you speak of? Sorry B&D eastiality Necrophilia weird ones like shitting on peoples faces etc ---
**Author:** ![Belrick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e56c9b/32.png) [@Belrick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belrick)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2004, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-did-homosexuality-become-socially-acceptable/233376/13 "2004-03-10T01:49:08Z")
> [@Walloon](#): > > In what country is “buggery” (sodomy) illegal but homosexuality is legal? > > And what is your definition of buggery/sodomy? > > 1 : copulation with a member of the same sex or with an animal > 2 : noncoital and especially anal or oral copulation with a member of the opposite sex New Zealand for one, 4 states in australia for another Buggery = anal sex. ---
**Author:** ![Belrick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e56c9b/32.png) [@Belrick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belrick)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2004, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-did-homosexuality-become-socially-acceptable/233376/14 "2004-03-10T01:53:53Z")
Why transfer this to the pit? Theres no great emotions involved here. In case you confised by by grammer ill spell it out in a different way. Why is homosexuality in all forms on 7 oclock television and discussed openly by all media means when farmers humping sheep for example isnt? Unless of course you feel that men licking sweaty balls is somehow, normal sexual behaviour? Thats why i label homosexuality as deviant. Rather like my male dog trying to hump my best mates leg the other day. By all means educate me here. ---
**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2004, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-did-homosexuality-become-socially-acceptable/233376/15 "2004-03-10T01:59:39Z")
You forgot to mention eating gefilte fish. That’s some nasty shit. Oh yes… to the pit please. ---
**Author:** ![Belrick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e56c9b/32.png) [@Belrick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belrick)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2004, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-did-homosexuality-become-socially-acceptable/233376/16 "2004-03-10T01:59:47Z")
I case your wondering, im no gay basher or any other basher. I recognise im lucky to be a properly “programmed” hetro-sexual male with a love of all things female. I also recognise my sexual desires are not the choice of my concious. Its what im designed to do. Pro-create. (though humans have largely grown stronger than our instincts, free thinking) The best time IMHO to think on sex is straight after sex. When your desires are sated leaving me wondering free of emotion, where is choice involved at all? The way i see it, sometimes our wiring gets crossed, men in females bodies and vice versa etc etc No one ever claimed the human DNA pool was perfect… My thoughts anyway. All honest questions wether you believe me or not… ---
**Author:** ![Belrick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e56c9b/32.png) [@Belrick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belrick)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2004, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-did-homosexuality-become-socially-acceptable/233376/17 "2004-03-10T02:03:04Z")
If homosexuality isnt socially acceptable in the states why is there the show queer eye for the straight guy playing when my children can watch it? “Daddy whats a queer eye?” I dont see, Sheep shagger for the dominatrix on TV do you? ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2004, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-did-homosexuality-become-socially-acceptable/233376/18 "2004-03-10T02:03:23Z")
Can you offer a citation that the sodomy laws in the places you stated apply only to heterosexuals? Could you give a hyperlink to the actual text of the sodomy laws? ---
**Author:** ![11811](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/9d8465/32.png) [@11811](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/11811)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2004, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-did-homosexuality-become-socially-acceptable/233376/19 "2004-03-10T02:05:23Z")
[QUOTE=Belrick] Sorry [snip]eastiality[/snip] So that’s like having sex facing the rising sun? :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Jervoise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d2c977/32.png) [@Jervoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jervoise)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2004, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-did-homosexuality-become-socially-acceptable/233376/20 "2004-03-10T02:06:02Z")
> [@Belrick](#): > > New Zealand for one, 4 states in australia for another > > Buggery = anal sex. Anal sex is illegal in four Australian states? That’s news to this Australian. Name the four states and their alleged anti-sodomy laws, please. > [@](#): > > Joe public lacks the imagination to depict men sticking penises in other mens arses so the repulsion factor is missing or easily laughed off? Well you and many others seem to spend _quite_ some time thinking about it, so no. > [@](#): > > Which brings me to another question, how is it in most countries buggery is illegal yet homosexuality is not? Isnt that contradicktory? Heh, heh–he said “dick”. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-did-homosexuality-become-socially-acceptable/233376.md?page=2)