Introduction

• Sexual orientation
• Homosexuality
• Sexual identity
 Reasons of Homosexuality
• Is it biological / genetic or learned behavior/
psychological?

• No concrete evidence yet.

“…even we doctors are uncertain about the
subject.”
- Dr. Watsa
 HEALTH RISKS
1. Prone to STDs
• Anal cancer
• Giardia lambia
• Herpes simplex virus (HSV)
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
(In India, 10% of 2.3 million homosexuals are HIV infected)
• Viral hepatitis
• Syphilis

2. Mental health
• Psychiatric illness

3. Shortened life span

 Treatment therapy
• Conversation therapies
• Behaviour therapy
• Administration of nausea-
induction of drugs
 Gay and Lesbian Movements
• 1950’s – Daughters of Bilitis and
Mattachine society
• 1968 – Metropolitan Common Church
• 1969 – the Stonewall Riots
• 1970 – University of Chicago Gay
Liberation Front
• 1992 – Lesbian Avengers
• In India – Demand for the amendment of
Sec 377 of Indian Penal Code.
 Cultural Perspective
• Earliest recorded evidence of a homosexual couple – Egyptian
male couple in around 2400 BC
• Two most prominent and ancient occurrences of homosexuality
include Roman homosexuality and Greek Homosexuality.
• Most European nations did not accept homosexuality openly.
• In ancient America, a common accepted concept of sexuality
(homosexuality) was called the Two Spirit Individual.
• In East Asia (especially Thailand) has not only accepted the
concept of homosexuality but also allows open display of one’s
sexuality.
 Cultural Perspective
• In India, there is no explanation to clarify what a sexual misconduct is and
what kind of a relationship would it ideally apply to.
• The Manusmriti disapproves of homosexuality and prescribes a number
of punishments both for lesbianism and gay relationships.
• Some of the punishments prescribed by the Manusmriti are as follows:
 A lesbian relationship between an older woman and a younger one – the
older one’s head is shaved off or two fingers cut and ride the donkey
through the town.
 Two men in a gay relationship are punished to bathe, dressed in his/their
clothes.
• Middle eastern Islamic cultures do not approve of homosexual
relationships but they’ve had their share of homosexual relationship both
in the past and in recent times.
• Persia was the only Arabic nation that allowed and recognized male
houses of prostitution.
Religious Perspective
• Almost all religions discourage
homosexual activities.
• Christianity considers
homosexuality a sin. The Bible lays
down death penalty for the one
who engages in homosexual
activities.
• Islam is against homosexuality. The
Quran considers homosexuality as
sinful and unnatural. It believes
such behaviour should not be
desired by men and it does not
even acknowledge lesbianism.
• Hinduism was open to various
ideas of sexuality in the medieval
times. But the Manusmriti does not
accept homosexuality.
Literature and Art
• Homosexuality is said to be an
inspiration to some literature as well as
artworks.
• Kamasutra and Khajurao reflect the
medieval period’s open acceptance of
homosexuality.
• Ismat Chugtai’s ‘The Lihaf’
• Non fictional books like Yaraana, Facing
the mirror, Despised Sexuality, etc.

• Fictional books such as

Daddy’s roommate, Jenny lives
with Eric and Martin, etc.
 Social Perspective
• Largely, every society views homosexuality
negatively and disapproves of it.
• Many nations have criminalized homosexuality.
• The law and society, in general, expect individuals
to restrict themselves to heterosexual
relationships.
• Countries like Canada and Norway have legalized
both lesbianism and gay relationships.
 Social Perspective
Myths
1. Homosexuals are born gay
2. Homosexuality is a sin
3. All gays and bisexuals are
HIV infected
Facts
1. Though homosexuals are
believed to be born the
way they are, there is no
evidence to prove this.
2. It is free of sin if it is safe,
consensual and within a
committed relationship.
3. The risk of HIV is related to
a person’s sexual practices
and not their sexual
orientation.
Social Perspective
Causes of Homosexuality

Bad Upbringing

Born like that

Mental disorder

Require therapy

Victims of sexual
abuse

Don't know

Overall
Thank You!