Scientific Literature on Homosexuality

Over the preceding decades, there has been an upsurge in scholarship dedicated to the matter of sexual and gender minority within the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning (LGBTQ) community. The dialogue and research that has been exerted into the finding the link that that determines if homosexuality is determined by choice, genetics, or environmental associations, has given a platform for social, political, and religious debates that have created a divide in our society.

Environment

Research has underlined inspiring amendments in the school-based practices for some LGBTQ communities, such as the development of Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs; or as some now refer to themselves, Gender-Sexuality Alliances), the frequency and achievement of listed antibullying policies, the association of factors that endorse resilience and prospering among LGBTQ increased discernibility of heterosexual and cis-gender allies. Schools are a prime social setting where most LGBTQ individuals spend the majority of their time. However, schools present a key problem for individuals who traverse there daily. Specifically, schools are a site in which LGBTQ community continue to be at risk for experiencing hardship, but at the same time they are also one where LGBTQ community could obtain critical support and resources from their peers and adults (Heck, Poteat & Goodenow, 2016 p. 381). The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) has encouraged school counselors to advocate for all students, predominantly those who have been historically ostracized, which includes LGBT students. Assessed research on Gay Straight Alliances (GSAs) suggested that GSAs have been an essential part of social justice and school counselor advocacy, in that GSAs are student-led groups that foster advocacy and support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) students and their allies (Simons, Hutchison & Bahr, 2017 p. 30). Although school environments have been in favor of homosexuality, other environments have not been so favorable. Religious leaders have tussled with the materialization of homosexuality in the public globe. Some religious groups within the church have countered with intense opposition as many religious elites have drawn upon a selection of scriptural and doctrinal references of classify homosexuality. For example, a plague, an abomination, a disorder and a violation of God's design (Sumerau & Cragun, 2014 p. 335). Many ministries reveal their rejection of homosexuality and is certified in the Bible. Of the 66 books of the Bible, six often-cited verses (Genesis 1-2, 19:1-9; Leviticus 18:22, 20:13; 1 Corinthians 6:9; Romans 1:26-27; and 1 Timothy 1:10) have been interpreted as evidence that homophobia are scripturally normative. Religious denominations use these verses to repudiate same-sex romantic relationships, to diminish homosexual genital experiences, and to decline ordination opportunities for gay aspirants (Miller, 2007 p52).

Biological

With newly classified sexually dimorphic regions of the brain having been discovered, additional studies need to be directed with reverence to sexual orientation. With enhanced techniques in both the structural and functional studies, a fresh round of methodologies that survey biological correlations of sexual orientations will prove extremely informative. These studies should continue to use the double confirmation method of establishing a sexual dimorphism prior to establishing sexual orientation differences (Alexander, 2000 p.248). In recent decades, more and more people in Western countries have come to endorse the theory that a person's sexual identity is determined by biological factors the belief that sexual orientation is biologically based predicts positive attitudes toward lesbians and gay men (Boysen & Vogel, 2007 p.756). Some assert that if studies establish a biological basis for sexual orientation, it should lead to increased tolerance of homosexuals. However, others conveyed negative approaches extending from distress to outrage that the findings might be used to justify the view that homosexuality is a disease as well as to justify attempts to alter sexual orientation biologically (Greenberg & Bailey, 1993 p. 245). Biological information about homosexuality, can have the opposite effect on people who are already familiar with biology. Conceivable information about biological causes of homosexuality make individuals see homosexuals as more different from themselves, thereby increasing the likelihood of the expression of negative attitudes (Oldham & Kasser, 1999 p.124).

Discussion

With all the research for and against homosexuality in referenced to environmental and biological influences, there are compelling investigations that can argue for and against the notion of how and why homosexuality is formed. Within a Christian perspective no matter the stigma, misinformation, scientific studies, or personal ethical views on homosexuality, there still is one constant that remains the same irrespective of how one may personally feel, in Matthew 22:39 the second greatest commandment that was given to us is to love thy neighbor as they self. Homosexuality has and will continue to have a dissonance within our society and individuals will continue to challenge the theory as to how homosexuality is initiated, it should make no impact as to how we see and accept individuals as brothers and sisters within Christ. Although there are scriptures that speak against such an identity, we should respect them as individuals and extend love to the community not in acceptance of their lifestyle, but as them as human-beings that share a passion for being who they are despite what we consider to be a societal or scriptural disapproval.

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