In yesterday’s article, I mentioned that homosexuality is not only homosexuality but it is used as an ideological and political material. I will elaborate on that.

• Homosexuality as sexual a role and orientation (Classical Homosexuality): This is a part of homosexuality that is removed from psychiatry classification books, which is not considered an illness, but recommended to be treated only as a social problem. 

This kind of homosexuality, where someone is interested in their own biological gender sexually, possessing the ‘role and orientation’ of the opposite gender, without ‘cross identifying’ is very rare. Often, they are not publicly gay or part of any homosexual association. This role mostly covers homosexuals who say “I am a man all the way but I live sexuality with my own gender”. As “Lipstick Lesbians and Manly Gays”,( https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-third-gender-2012-10-23/ )

The thesis that sexual role and orientation experienced with the same-sex “without feeling like the opposite sex” is not an illness is accepted by psychiatric scientific circles. This kind of homosexual life is considered to be cultural society dynamic and social attitude. 

Every individual has the right to defend their own attitude. There is no scientific justification to oppose the social rights of those who do not approve of homosexuality in society. Everyone has the right to experience their own orientation and role preferences and to express their thoughts differently without showing homophobia. 

Cross gender role adopting homosexuals are usually considered at verge of the “transsexuality” disorder, which is defined as sexual identity disorder. It is not spiritually quite possible to experience passive role homosexuality without feeling like the opposite sex. Sexualy active homosexuals are known as homosexuals who have no discomfort about the form of their sexual intercourse. A woman or a man identifying as a woman are the same. Bisexuality is the adoption of both sexual roles. 

Gay and lesbian concepts

Transgender identity: It is the state of feeling like the opposite sex, and considered a disorder. The person may or may not have internalized homosexuality. It can be either hidden or open. 

Transvestism: Dressing like the opposite sex. Has been accepted as a disease.

Social homosexual orientation: It is the preference to identify like their natural biological gender while being sexually active with their own gender. It is not defined as an illness but has been left to the approval of culture. 

A transgender homosexual who refuses treatment is like an addict who refuses rehab. The terms gay and lesbian are popular definitions that include these three groups. 

It is highly objectionable to consider that this extremely limited range of social homosexuality applies to all homosexuals, and has no scientific basis.

Is homosexuality inherent in biological nature? 

According to generally accepted views on homosexuality, it is not an orientation that naturally exists  in humans. It is a situation developed with social learning and mis-education. It is a deviation that does not fit into biological nature. Heterosexuality has a gene responsible for it, but not homosexuality. 

What are the latest scientific views on homosexuality?

In the May June 2010 issue of Scientific American Mind, Jesse Bering examined Transsexuals who are uncomfortable with their biological sex and sexual identity in an article titled “The Third Gender”. He divided the third gender identity, transsexuals, into two groups. Open transsexuals, secret transsexuals. It has been emphasized that there is no genetic data in scientific studies on both transgender conditions. It was stated that the fields of biological gender, sexual identity and sexual orientation should be evaluated separately. The main role of cultural social norms and learning in the formation of transgender gender identity and sexual orientation was mentioned. 

Is the homosexuality that is not considered to be an illness encouraged?

The Homosexuality, which is not defined as an illness known to be accepted 40 years ago, is called “egosyntonic social homosexuality”. This is a preference made by free will. And the person is not seeking treatment of any kind. Had they sought any sort of treatment; it would have made their situation an illness and qualified for a treatment.

It seems that “the rare subgroup of homosexuality, where an individual is both uncomfortable with their homosexual role and orientation, while not like claiming to be or posing as their opposite sex” is not of interest to psychiatry. This does not mean it  is encouraged. 

What does egodystonic homosexuality mean?

This type of homosexuality is not fully accepted by one’s ego defenses. The person succumbs to his desires and impulses. These people who cannot be free from their desires and motives need to be helped and treated. This sort of homosexuality has been defined and specified separately by experts and requires treatment. These people should be treated.

The importance of early adolescence

There is no scientific basis for defining homosexuality as a healthy condition like heterosexuality. If the public is not informed correctly, the door to treatment and assistance closes for those who have noticed their homosexual tendency in early adolescence and want to control it. It is extremely harmful for psychiatric associations to be a tool for misunderstandings and suggestions that will increase homosexual preferences. It is a social responsibility for a professional not to encourage and direct individuals who are concerned about sexual identity towards homosexual identity. 

Preventive mental health dimension

Homosexuality should be considered as a social problem within the scope of protective mental health such as sexual love for animals (zoophilia) and sexual love for things (fetishism). It is a social duty to work to prevent sexual deviations in society. 

Should there be a struggle against homophobia?

Humiliating homosexuals is not right. These people should be respected, but it should be noted that they are disapproved if deemed necessary. 

For these reasons, the right stance should be shown in health and education policies in order not to increase homosexual preferences among future generations. 

In my opinion, showing sensitivity towards future generations is a commendable behavior and should be evaluated within the scope of preventive mental health. 

Contradictions of homosexual associations

Ironically, homosexual associations establish identity-related treatment groups. According to the website information below, there are homosexual associations organizing treatments for transvestite groups. 

Portraiting a very small group of people that can be categorized as “Social homosexual oriented”as the representative of entire homosexual community including transgender and transvestite people is neither scientific nor true. Using this perspective to encourage those in between or hesitant is nothing short of unethical. 

Preventing the treatment of homosexuals, suffering from sexual identity disorder is a medical shame. Approval or encouragement in early adolescence is extremely wrong and unwarranted.

Resources

1-The Third Gender, Scientific American Mind, Behavior Brain Science Insights, Special Issue, Male etc. Female Brains, pp 60-64, May / June 2010

2-Becoming What We Love: Autogynephilic Transsexualism Conceptualized as an Expression of Romantic Love. Anne Lawrence in perspectives in biology and medicine, Vol. 50 No: 4 pages 506-520 Autumn 2007

3-The Gender Identity / Gender Dysphoria Questionnaire for Adolescents and Adults. J.J. Deogracias et al. In journal of sex Research, Vol.44, No.4, Pages 370-379; October 2007

4-Evolution’s Rainbow: Diversity, Gender and Sexuality in Nature and People. Joan Roughgarden. University of California press 2009

5-The DSM Diagnostic Criteria for Gender Identity Disorder in Children. Kenneth J. Zucker in Archives of Sexual Behavior, published online October 2009

6- Repair Therapy, Dr. Joseph Nicolosi, Kaknüs Yayınları. 2012