What is a Homosexual - 1018 Words

Andrew Sullivan, author of, What is a Homosexual, portrays his experience growing up; trapped in his own identity. He paints a detailed portrait of the hardships caused by being homosexual. He explains the struggle of self-concealment, and how doing so is vital for social acceptation. The ability to hide one’s true feelings make it easier to be â€Å"invisible† as Sullivan puts it. â€Å"The experience of growing up profoundly different in emotional and psychological makeup inevitably alters a person’s self-perception.†(Sullivan)This statement marks one of the many reasons for this concealment. The main idea of this passage is to reflect on those hardships, and too understand true self-conscious difference. Being different can cause identity†¦show more content†¦This term is based on the assumption that we as a whole understand differences in color, race, and sexuality. However, this portrays the idea that we truly understand homosexuality; in rea lity we have not. The more this term is analyzed the more society will stamp homosexuals for being â€Å"diverse†. Which they would like to few equal. Sullivan explains, â€Å"But as obsession with diversity intensifies, the possibility of real difference alarms and terrifies all the more. They are marginalized as â€Å"stereotypes†Ã¢â‚¬ . This fact demonstrates how homosexuality will be considered different no matter what day in age. Sullivan speaks of a homosexuals’ desire to cover-up. His own personal feel of emotional rejection fuels his attempts to do things that gave the perception of what he was not. â€Å"So I decided, consciously or subconsciously, to construct a trajectory of my life that would remove me from their company; give me an excuse, provide a dignified way out† (Sullivan). His â€Å"dignified way out† included creative writing, and theatre. He also goes into detail of how some of his fellow classmates would cover up by joi ning sport teams, attempting to make themselves fit the norm. This way he gained respect while still being self-consciously different. More examples of this kind of stereotyped discrimination is thought out in Brent Staples â€Å"Black Men and Public Space†. He starts off with a story of the typical discomforting energy he feels when trailing a whiteShow MoreRelatedâ€Å"the Sodomite Had Been a Temporary Aberration; the Homosexual Was Now Species.† Explain What Foucault Means by This Remark with Reference to the Nineteenth Century Process He Calls â€Å"the Medicalisation of the Sexually Peculiar†.2171 Words   |  9 Pagestemporary aberration; the homosexual was now species.† Explain what Foucault means by this remark with reference to the nineteenth century process he calls â€Å"the medicalisation of the sexually peculiar†. At the heart of the statement and references contained in the title are illustrations of how power is expressed through normative discourse in Western capitalist society. The process of how an act once termed ‘sodomy’ became transformed into the term ‘homosexual’ is fundamental to the natureRead More Gay Marriage Essay1308 Words   |  6 Pagesequal rights for homosexuals. They will all agree that homosexuals should have the same rights in housing, jobs, public accommodations, and should have equal access to government benefits, equal protection of the law, and other rights granted to US citizens. However, when the topic of marriage arises, all the talk of equality ceases. Over fifty percent of all people in the United States oppose homosexual marriage, despite the fact that most are otherwise supportive of homosexual rights. This meansRead MoreThe Rise Of Adolf Hitler And The National Socialist German Workers Party1511 Words   |  7 PagesSocialist German Workers Party (the Nazi Party) in Germany, homosexuals, were one of the various groups targeted by the Nazis and were ultimately among the Holocaust victims. 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There are many opinions about this subject from government officials, religious leaders and even the president of the United States. Homosexuals should be allowedRead MoreGeorge Chauncey s Gay New York Essay1512 Words   |  7 Pagesinvisibility and internalization. The homosexual community is considered a subculture to the heterosexual community, which identifies as the dominant culture. George Chauncey wants to know why the dominant heterosexual culture often misinterprets the heterosexual subculture. He also talks about the assumptions the dominant culture carries about sexuality and culture. I believe there are two reasons the dominant culture misinterprets and make assumptions about the homosexual community; these two reasons consistRead MoreGay Marriage: May Anyone Marry Whom They Choose?987 Words   |  4 Pagesceremonies, etc† (marriage). Parents have the role to raise their children in love and teach them good values. â€Å"They note that violence among homosexual partners is two to three times more common than among married heterosexual couples, and homosexual partnerships are significantly more prone to dissolution than heterosexual marriages, with the average homosexual relationship lasting only two to three years† (Diggs). 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Homosexuality is a topic that causes a lot of conflict and discussion, due to opposing views on whether is it ‘right’ or ‘wrong’. This article will discuss the various views surrounding homosexuals, the stereotypes they face and how these views have been constructed and how the representation of homosexuals has changed from the past to the