Just because the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” (DSM) removed homosexuality from its list of mental disorders, doesn’t mean it somehow magically is no longer a disorder. What bugs me, is that the gay claims his lifestyle is not a choice, and then in the next breath, attempts to refute any organic or chemical disorder basis. If a dick up the ass is not a disorder, what is?
I think you are confusing the issue on a fairly fundamental basis. From what I’ve seen most gay people do not attempt to refute an organic basis for choosing a homosexual lifestyle, but readily accept that being gay most likely has a very strong genetic component without it being a mental disorder. Your confusion seems to be considering this behavioral choice/determination as a disorder vs. simply being a different order. Whether you like it or not it appears more and more clear that biologically, being gay is about as much of a choice and “disorder” as being left handed in real world genetic terms.
Gay people are going to be gay, always have been historically, and for the foreseeable future will continue to be so. It is most likely in this context that there are varying levels of wired in same sex attraction, and so some people may be more or less apt to express these feelings and behaviors depending on the cultural context they exist within. If you are going to try to pin the stigmatizing donkey tail label of “disorder” on this behavior and imagine you are making some obvious point you need to disabuse yourself of that self-indulgent notion. That it displeases your sense of personal propriety that a relatively small percentage of penises are not going into vaginas is really more an issue of moral philosophy, and in a related sense the political nature of the labels we choose to apply to various behaviors. In practical terms you could make the argument that anything not “normal” order is “disorder” but then we get into whether being left handedness is a brain wiring “disorder”, or if being shy with the opposite sex is a mental “disorder”.
The Great Debates forum would welcome you with eager and open arms to test the strength and persuasiveness of your ideas on the issue of homosexuality as a disorder.
Well, of course some people deserve to die! That’s entirely obvious, there are any number of persons who whose best function would be as recyclable worm fodder.
The difficulty comes in deciding who best fits that category. We need a panel of experts who are qualified to make that decision.
So…everybody in the room who can walk on water, please raise your hand.
A really good time.
Some, not all.
And the reason it wouldn’t generally be seen in the straight population is that in America, AIDS and HIV are still seen as being primarily gay, and with the shame a lot of gay people feel because of the prevailing bigotry, it engenders living down to expectations in some.
Of course, YMMV.
You’re too thoughtful.
sniff
Yeah, right. :rolleyes:
So, your experience and expertise to assess this comes from where exactly?
Quick observation:
Macauley will never enjoy any form of oral sex.
Pity him.
Macauley will never enjoy any form of oral sex.
Pity him. **
[/QUOTE]
Interesting Phenomenon I have found with regards to Internet discussions or debates. I guess with any sort of debate among differing view points.
Armed with really nothing substantial, someone like Darth will opt for attempting a personal attack. Fine, if that is all you bring to the party, hey go for it! 
Truth is, I do enjoy all forms of hetero sex. (Decormum and privacy will preclude any detail here. 
) Sadder truth is (sigh), long term marrieds usually do slow down the frequency and “adventures”. :smack:
**
Ahem. I guess I don’t understand your rules concerning which body parts and which holes are approved by God.
Anal?
No, actually, pretty laid back and free thinking; but that’s not important right now 
As I said, decorum (even what little self respect here in The Pit) precludes me from specifics about my own sex life. Probably more out of respect of my wife than anything else
As for approved by God, my point is that homosexuality is not.
Ah.
Okay, then. We’re done here.
Macauley Connor, if you’ll go over to Great Debates, you’ll probably find at least one active discussion about homosexuality, and a search will turn up quite a few. I don’t know what religion you are, but I do know that there is quite a bit of debate among the Christians around here about whether homosexuality is “approved by God” and whether, if it isn’t, if it’s any inherently worse than say adultery and other sins.
Quite frankly, I’d suspect that being repeatedly told that you’re immoral because of who you love or not being able to mention your SO without worry could also cause the symptoms you described, let alone having a fatal and stigmatized disease.
CJ
And perhaps better on Great Debates, but just to address a specific, the debate has actually caused splits in some denomenations of the Christian Church. The Methodist Church has splintered into a few sub groups, as well as the Episcopal Church, which will decide in their upcoming conference. Most of this revolves around ordination (blessing as Priests or Ministers) of homosexuals, rather than homosexuality in the general population of the Church.
It is indeed a “sticky whicket”, and any fair thinking Christian has got to be very perplexing to “love the sinner and hate the sin”. Frankly, I find myself in that situation all too often. Being a Committed Christian, yet having several friends and associates who are homosexual, it is indeed tough!
Of course, Jesus said that if I even look at a woman lustfully, I have already committed adultery, and must now gouge out my eyes…
Sorry, Saviour, I ain’t gonna do that!!!
Then you’re a hypocrite.
Nice talkin’ to ya.
Esprix
And it was nice talking to you as well! Thanks!
And Yes, I will freely admit that I am a hypocrite, and a sinner! I make no delusions that I am not!
It is just part of my Christian Journey that I continually check myself, hopefully catching myself before I sin or be judgemental. Doesn’t always work and the ol’ free will takes over. That is why I am on my knees, at the minimum, every Sunday, asking God for forgiveness of those sins, and receiving absolution.
Oh, and by the way, the thing about the eye gouging, that was intended to bring a smile. But I have noticed, in my short time as a Doper, a LOT of “whooshes” are missed. I will try harder next time.:smack:
[[Originally posted by Virgowitch
I can do better than this. In some African countries, there is a popular, widely-believed myth that sex with a virgin (male or female) is a cure for AIDS, resulting in, guess what?
FYI:
Snopes says that this myth’s role in child rape, and the belief in it, seems to be exaggerated.]]
It’s not exaggerated in some parts of the world. It is a strongly held belief in many Caribbean countries and some parts of Africa.
Re. “bug chasers”… I have interviewed over 200 HIV infected gay men in the US. A few may have suffered from “survivors’ guilt” that in some indirect way may have had a part in their becoming infected (but not consciously). I interviewed one man in this group who admitted that he intentionally exposed himself to the virus because of his depression, death wish, and desire to be “punished.” I don’t believe this is anywhere near 25% of all cases.
Most people get infected because they’re horny and an opportunity to satisfy that presents itself. End of story. How human can you get.
Ah, the voice of experience. Thank you, Jill.
Esprix