HOMOSEXUALITY 

            A type of sexual behavior which has been with us for a long time and is a recurring social issue is
homosexuality.  It can be found among every class of people just like other sexual behaviors as adultery
and fornication. Many articles have been published about homosexuals and homosexuality and it seems
that more and more are cropping up today. Apparently, in our society the two terms—homosexuality
which is the activity, and homosexuals or sissy/lesbian which is the person are being confused for one
another.
            What is a homosexual?  The term is used to refer to a man or a boy who is effeminate or who has
the qualities or traits of a woman or a girl. This includes also a woman or a girl who has the qualities or
traits of a man or a boy.
            What is homosexuality? Homosexuality is the generic term used to denote sexual responsiveness
to members of the same sex. Although more often to describe erotic attachment among men, it also
technically encompasses female-female or lesbian relationships. While homosexuality is practiced in a
variety of ways, with oral-genital and mutual masturbation among the more common practice, it is not the
activity itself that earns the label of deviance but the choice of sexual objects.
            “What are the roots of homosexuality?” “Can a homosexual be at his own will and effort to
eliminate such causes and hence become heterosexual?” These are questions often asked by homosexuals.
Homosexuals want to understand themselves better and do something about their homosexuality. It is
unfortunate that in some places homosexuals are still misunderstood, and generally condemned.
Homosexuals used to suffer rejection and humiliation but today attitude towards them have begun to
change.
            Today’s society is becoming more permissive and tolerant and so they are now coming to the
open. Gays attribute this, in part, to their own increasing assertiveness about their rights and about their
pride in their orientation. While some attitudes change, however, some forms of prejudice against
homosexuals still exist. The AIDS epidemic of the 1980s, to which many male homosexuals fell victim,
may have affected anti-gay prejudice. In many prestigious schools, homosexuality seems to be tolerated.
Homosexuals group themselves for psychological support and personal contact. They tend to have their
own bars, beauty shops, vocabulary and norms for acceptable and unacceptable behaviors.
 
Origin and Nature of Homosexuality
            With the birth of modern psychiatry, homosexuality has become to be viewed more as sickness
than a sin. Ideas about the origin and nature of homosexuality were once based solely on the study of
maladjusted psychiatric patients. Theories derived from such research have suggested that disorders in
family relationships, that is between parent and child (either between mother, and son or between father
and son) account for homosexual behavior.
            The development of adult heterosexuality is a long complex process. Because of the numerous
factors which influence this development, many people fail to achieve normal sexual adjustment and the
result is homosexuality. Psychologists cite the following factors:
·         Glandular disturbance. On study of male homosexuals, Miyerson and Newstadt (1972) found a
relationship between homosexual behavior and the amount of sex hormones (endrogen and estrogen) in
the blood. However, not all homosexuals exhibit similar disturbance, and individuals have made changes
from homosexual behavior to normal heterosexual adjustments without altering the glandular imbalance.
·         Genetic causes.  The research for understanding has advanced considerably with the new release
of some new studies that make the most compelling case states that homosexual orientation is partly
genetic (German & Park, 1993). This viewpoint lacks conclusive homosexuals are born this way. Every
child has an inherent tendency toward homosexuality or heterosexuality. Either one is developed in the
formation of his personality.
·         Dominant mother or weak father. When such personalities are paired together, an unhealthy
situation is intensified. The son cannot look up to his father to become a man. He may then lose respect
for his father and his own sex. This is heightened when the dominant mother having a strong masculine
component in her personality stifles and belittles the masculinity of the husband and son.
·         Overindulgent mother.  Her overindulgence leads the boy to develop a strong attachment to his
mother which he is unable to break as he grows older. He feels that no girl can measure up to his mother
and he does not develop normal heterosexual relationships.
·         Cruel or detached parents. The cruelty of the father or the mother arouses the child’s ill feelings
and results to the inability to establish adequate heterosexual relationships, thus leading the person to find
gratification and acceptance from persons of his own sex. This is further strengthened if the child is
strictly forbidden to mix with the opposite sex.
In a discussion of “Homosexuality; The Ethical Challenge,” author Irving Bieber states that the
conclusion of a major study was that male homosexuality would not evolve, given a loving,
constructively related father.
If either the father or the mother has a passive, detached hostile relationship, this may also result to
homosexual behavior. This is because the individual who is in his childhood was deprived of affection
from the parent of the same sex would later in life crave for the affection (the touch, the embrace, the
care) of one belonging to his/her sex.
·         Overt Homosexual.  A situation at times may present a dilemma to individuals whose
homosexuality is at first latent. Under circumstances in which the individual has no access to the opposite
sex, accidental or pseudo homosexuality frequently occurs. Overt homosexuality is developed. This is
found in the military, prisons and exclusive schools. Its occurrence demonstrates the ability to substitute a
sexual object for another and the role of frustration in precipitating such substitution.
In 1973 homosexuality was removed from the American Psychiatric Association’s official list of mental
disorders. The term used instead is Gender Identity Disorder. It also emphasizes that there must be
evidence of a strong and persistent cross-gender identification, which is the desire to be, or the insistence
that one is, of the other sex DSM-IV, 1994). Although none of the mental-health professions now
officially consider homosexuality an illness, there are still prominent theorists who insist that it is.
            To many, homosexuality is a result of misguided upbringing, a detour from straight path to martial
adulthood. To gays themselves, being a homosexual is neither a choice nor a disease but an identity,
deeply felt as far back as their memory can reach. To conservative moralist, however, homosexuality is a
sin, a willful choice by one who is going against the law of the Creator. From the legal point of view, in
our country, lesbianism or homosexuality is a ground for legal separation. (Family Code, 1989).
 
Treatment of Homosexuality
            Clinical professor of psychiatry Irving Bieber maintains that therapy can halt the development of
the homosexual pattern during childhood. He concludes that homosexuality is pathological and the failure
to provide therapeutic services for people who wish to become heterosexual would be a grave error.
            Help can be given to those who really want to be helped. But generally it is the active
homosexuals who seek it. The sexual inverts are content with what they are.
             In the treatment of homosexuals, Psychotherapy which is a form of treatment by psychological
means can be effective only if the individual is strongly motivated to overcome the problem. Coville, et.
Al. (1971) states that those who are satisfied to live as homosexuals show little response to therapeutic
endeavor. Treatment may be effective where the individual has some basic value structure or moral code
upon which the motivation for change can be based.
            Group Therapy. As the homosexual begins to gain insight and make progress in individual
therapy, the counselor may have him join a group therapy session. These group sessions help the
homosexual focus on social and interpersonal relationships. Since the homosexual is a person who has
difficulty relating opposite sex, the opportunity to engage in social interaction in mixed therapy session is
very valuable. In these sessions the homosexual can gain confidence in his ability with the opposite sex.
As roles of conception are formed, the previous homosexual urges begin to lose their hold.
          Other Forms of Psychotherapy.  Psychoanalyst view sexual deviants as, on the whole, more
difficult to treat than non- deviant neurotics because the deviant symptoms is a pleasurable one and
therefore becomes the basis of a strong resistance to change. The sex of the therapist complicates the
matter. In addition to psychoanalysis, various types of psychotherapy have been used. The result of the
works of Lanvin and Wolpe in the treatment of sexual deviants showed a marked reduction of the
patient’s impulse toward overt homosexuality.  They used the behavioral modification approach.
Techniques of reconditioning by aversion which is associating a painful stimulus with the undesired
behavior and systematic desensitization are integrated. Systematic desensitization involves teaching the
client to relax in the presence of an object or event that cause anxiety.
 
Hypnotherapy
            Hypnotherapy is viewed as a process whereby the therapist help people utilize their own mental
associations, memories, and life potentials to achieve their own therapeutic goals. Hypnotic suggestion
can facilitate the utilization of abilities and potentials that already exist within a person but the remain
unused or undeveloped because of a lack of training or understanding. The hypnotherapist carefully
explores a patient’s individuality to ascertain what life learnings, experiences, and mental skills are
available to deal with the problem (Erickson & Rossi, 1979).
            In other words, hypnotic psychotherapy is a learning process for the patient, a procedure of
reeducation. The therapist stimulates the patient into activity. How to guide and to judge constitute the
therapist’s problem while the patient’s task is that of learning through his own efforts to understand his
experiential life in a new way.
          Self-realization.  A number of therapists believe that confirmed homosexual’s ability to accept his
homosexuality and to learn to be more comfortable with it is a legitimate therapeutic aid. However, in a
country like the Philippines, the society’s conservation attitude has to be reckoned with.
          Perhaps what the therapists can do is to assist the confirmed homosexual to make the necessary
adjustment within himself and his community; otherwise, his social problems may either remain unsolved
or be confounded. Values have to be clarified, principles spelled out, and priorities ranked accordingly.
These variables would guide the individual in his way of life, choices, decisions and interaction with
people.
            Individual Counselling Therapy. Since the homosexual’s difficulties arise in connection with an
inability to relate properly to others, it is essential that the counselor and others who attempt to help him
provide an accepting, warm and non-critical atmosphere for him. He has had inadequate relationships
with significant adults in his environment. A conducive climate for change has to be established first—be
it in the home, church or in the counselor’s office.
            It is necessary for the homosexual and those important to him to understand the dynamics of his
disorder. With the help of a counselling psychologist (or psychiatrist), the session may be focused on the
person’s background and family environment which have caused him to turn to this deviant behavior. At
this parents and siblings have to be open minded and understanding, for they also need help and change.
It becomes therefore a family therapy through group process. As the homosexual begins to see the forces
which have caused his abnormal behavior those impulses begin to lose their power. His growth is
intensified as he sees and feels the change of atmospheric in the home.
            In addition to a full understanding of the dynamics of the homosexual’s personality development,
Narramore (1958), recommends that the homosexual be assisted in reestablishing wholesome attitude
toward sex and marriage
Vaccine That Prevents Homosexuality
Doctors have developed a vaccine they claim will prevent males from becoming homosexuals.
After 20 years of research, scientist and physicians are convinced administering testosterone to unborn
infants will lessen the chance of boys growing up as gays.
Medical experts feel that the stress women experienced during World War 2 caused a sharp reduction in
male hormone levels which their fetuses were exposed to, triggering an increase in homosexuality that is
beginning to show around the globe.
Researchers in West Germany say they are already experiencing dramatic results from using testosterone.
One doctor calls it a “miracle drug that could one day spell the end of homosexuality.”
In an experiment at Stenberg Medical Laboratories in East Berlin in 1964, a group of pregnant women
were injected with the vaccine.
At the same time, a control group of expectant mothers were given placebos.
Twenty years later, doctors say they discovered none of the womens given testosterone had gay male
offspring. But the group receiving the placebos reported at three percent rate of homosexuality.
Dr. Gulmar Stenberg, Stenberg Labs director, says that in another study two boys showing signs of being
effeminate began climbing trees, playing football, and running track after receiving the vaccine.
Stenberg adds, “What is exciting is that the vaccine seems to work on two levels. It seems to be effective
in women who are pregnant, and it can also benefit homosexuals who want to arrest their development as
gays.” (MOD, March 7, 1986)
 
Summary
Homosexual and Homosexuality are often misconducted to be one and the same thing but the first term
refers to the person while the latter refers to the erotic attachment of a man/woman to the same sex.
 
 WHAT IS AIDS?
- means ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME.
  Is a viral disease that destroys the body’s ability to resist infection. It is characterized by severe loss of
one’s natural immunity against disease, leaving the individual vulnerable to illness that might not
otherwise be a threat.
  ▪IN MARCH 16, 1986, carried reports that in the Philippines, the first Filipino victim came from the
United States and died immediately, and the second one left before the Filipino population was even
aware he was here at all. A third one, diagnosed and confirmed both in Germany and in the Philippines is
at large, threatening each and everyone of us;
 Male or female, married or single, adult or child, gay or straight.
CELIBATE MONOGAMOUS or Otherwise.
For AIDS does not discriminate and spare no one. 
Health secretary Tan in his statement to the Phil Star ( June 16, 1995) said that for every confirmed HIV/
full blown AIDS cases, an estimate of 100 other Filipinos similarly affected remain unreported.

ALL OF THEM HAVE RECORDED SEXUAL INTERCOURSE as a MODE OF TRANSMISSION 

SEXUAL INTERCOURSE, the most common mode of transmission of the HIV, has infected an
estimated 60,000 Filipinos who are not aware of their medical status, the health department revealed.

Scientist are one in their view about where AIDS came from and how it has spread to all populated
regions of the world.
They are convinced that the virus gained a FOOTHOLD in Central Africa. In the area that is now Zaire,
The first known human case of AIDS occurred.
Aids symtoms
Vaguely flu like symptoms as night sweats

Persistent cough & lymphadenopathy

Persistent cough & lymphadenopathy

Fever & diarrhea

Shortness of breath & skin rashes

▪EFFECTS OF AIDS
▪AIDS virus is difficult to detect because by the time AIDS victims develop secondary infections, it has
already done its work. Victims die from other diseases to which they become susceptible because their
bodies immune system have been destroyed or severely impaired to the extent that their in born abilities
to fight back against illness is lost.
▪
▪Victims all over the world have been fired from their jobs, evicted from their homes, banned from courts,
barred from parks, refused in restaurants and forced to bankruptcy.

▪PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF AIDS

1.Screening blood donors and mandatory testing of donated blood, one of the sources of AIDS infection.
2.Educating the public through media and booklets on AIDS, it’s symptoms and sensible precaution that
should be taken to avoid it.
3.Allerting doctors to be on the lookout for AIDS and making it a legally notifiable disease.
4.Telling homosexuals to stick to one partner and to avoid anal and oral sex. The same advice is being
given to prostitutes of both sexes, who are also being at risk from visitors from AIDS infected countries.

5. Heterosexuals are being asked to avoid promiscuity.

6. Intravenous drug abusers are being warned that sharing needles is dangerous because other users may
be AIDS carriers.
7. Warning women suffering from AIDS or at high risk of infection from becoming pregnant since the
infection could be transmitted to the new born or even unborn baby.
 
▪TREATMENT
There is no medicine has yet been discovered to effectively cure AIDS. However, treatment of the disease
tested on fifteen patients in US is showing an encouraging ability to control the spread of the virus with
few side effects.
The drug, azidothymidine, (AZT) is one of the several antiviral drugs being tested for use against AIDS
and has been shown to inhibit the growth of the AIDS virus, HTLV-3 .
Recently, studies conducted by latex product unit, Ansell International, have shown that a common used
spermicidal cream kills the AIDS virus.