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UK Law in Sedition, Obscenity and Blasphemy
Perverting the Course of Justice
Prosecution For Assaulting a Police Officer
Security Guards for Shoplifting
Removal of Art From Public Place
Obtaining Property By Deception
Being Drunk as a Criminal Defence
Sexual Offences and Age of Consent
Electronic Communications Offences
Unauthorised Access to Computer Material
Unauthorised Modification of Computer Programs Data
Fraud In Information Communication Technology
A homosexual is a person who is sexually attracted to someone of the same sex. This leads to couples of the same sex having sexual relations or homosexual relations. Other words used to describe this kind of behaviour are gay and lesbian. A female who is attracted to other females is known as a lesbian and a man who is sexually attracted other to men can be described as gay.
On the face of it homosexual behaviour appears to be very un-Darwinian. An animal that does not mate with the opposite sex and pass on its genes is at an evolutionary disadvantage. However with the exception of species that never have sex at all, such as sea urchins and aphids, there is no species known to man in which homosexual behaviour has not been shown to exist. A number of studies into the reasons for homosexuality have been carried out. They have looked at genetics and the possibility of the existence of a 'homosexual gene.' Some theories suggest biological differences between heterosexual and homosexual people, showing that a person cannot choose to be gay or straight. However, for some young people homosexuality is just a phase which they will go through whilst growing up.
On the other hand, and especially among religious groups, homosexuality is seen as an illness which should be treated. Under Shariah or Islamic Law homosexual relations are illegal and a capital offence.
But when the term ‘natural’ is used it refers to something that occurs in nature. Homosexuality occurs in nature and therefore – regardless of what people want – homosexuality is natural. Whatever the cause of homosexuality it has occurred naturally as a consequence of that cause. Therefore when discussing the subject of homosexuality, whether it is natural or not is not even an idea worthy of discussion.
Many homosexual people in the UK find it extremely difficult to come to terms with, or admit, their sexuality to their family, friends, and the public in general. This is especially true about young people attending college or university.
There are, however, still some people who have a problem with homosexuality and they have a tendency to bully homosexual people - by names calling for example. This is known as being homophobic. Homophobia is hostility towards or fear of gay people and homosexuality, but it is not specifically limited to this. A lot of the older generation of British people still find it very difficult to accept homosexuality, but they usually do not show this openly.
In 2007 a report by UK gay rights organisation Stonewall showed that homosexuals in the UK experience more extreme homophobia as young people than as adults. This is due to young people using words associated with homosexuality as standard insults. This is one of the ways that young people think this means it is highly undesirable to be homosexual. Any young people who are experiencing gay feelings then keep them quiet or try to fit in by pretending to be heterosexual (straight).
The official teachings of most religions in the UK remain hostile to homosexuality and many do not like to even discuss the subject.
Many people try to hide their sexuality from others, leading to feelings of loneliness. Over recent years, British people have become more tolerant of homosexuality and it is becoming more and more common for people to come out openly about their sexuality.
The attitudes towards homosexuality globally vary again as it is down to the views of society.
Globally, there is as much of a debate over homosexuality as we have in Britain with some people having no problem with it at all and others having a problem or becoming homophobic. Some places have banned as homosexuality completely whilst others allow same sex marriages.
To understand the global attitudes towards homosexuality, it is best to firstly understand the laws relating to different places – especially abroad. Many people simply agree with what the law states and if the law has banned homosexuality completely many people will agree with this, whereas if it is not banned at all in a different country most of the people will agree and will already have come to terms with homosexuality and other relative aspects.
Homosexuality was legalised in the UK in 1967, since then the homosexual age of consent has been reduced from 21 to 18 and now to 16. (the same age as for sex between men and women)
The most recent laws on homosexuality are that:
You are not allowed to have sex in public places
Since 2003 it is unlawful to discriminate in the workplace against someone on the grounds of his/her sexuality or perceived sexuality.
Since February 2000 gay men and women have been permitted to serve in the military – before this time around 200 people a year were dismissed for being gay.
Gay weddings are not currently legal in the UK. However, the Civil Partnership Act (2004) creates a new legal relationship of a civil partnership; this is where two people of the same sex can form by signing a registration document. The act came in to force in December 2005.
The views of many abroad places differ quite drastically and below are a selection of some of these differing laws:
Algeria Homosexuality is illegal and 2 years in prison is the maximum sentence you can receive
Egypt Here, homosexuality is not specifically outlawed but is not encouraged.
Uganda All homosexual acts are illegal and the maximum penalty is a life sentence, the death penalty is under consideration.
Canada Homosexuality and all related things like same sex marriage and same sex adoption are legal.
United States Homosexuality has been legal since 1962, nationwide since 2003.
Dominican Republic Homosexuality is legal but same sex marriages and same sex adoptions are not.
Argentina homosexuality is legal but again same sex marriages and adoptions are not. The same sex marriages are under consideration.
China Legal since 1997 with same sex marriages and adoptions not being legal.
Netherlands Legal since 1811 and was the first country to legalise same sex marriages. Same sex adoptions are also permitted.
Currently society in Britain has become more tolerant towards homosexuality; however there are still a few people who do have issues towards it and this will always be the case.
There is no attitude towards homosexuality with which the whole of Britain agrees with and follows, this is because it is down to people in society and their own private views on the subject. There are always going to be mixed reactions from people and the views of Britain’s’ society are ever changing, meaning that the views on homosexuality will change too.
We do have a lot more homosexuality being featured in popular television programmes currently and this is a good indication that people are coming round to the idea that it is OK to be homosexual. A lot of the problems faced for homosexual people are featured in these programmes also; for example the popular television sitcom Eastenders did a story about a homosexual who was targeted and beaten up by a homophobic person. They then showed how the homosexual person coped afterwards and the support received from that particular characters’ friends was enormous.
The scientific views regarding the future of homosexuality are that the development of the acceptance of homosexuality will continue to rise in the future. Any discrimination towards homosexuals will equalise to that expressed towards ageism or racism which means that it will not be tolerated among any culture.
The prediction is that by the year 2070 all homophobic views will be deemed highly offensive throughout the world. There will also be no criticisms from the Church, as many people will change their beliefs to modern-day religious communities.
There are many views about homosexuality and the future, but almost all of these indicate that as religion continues its decline, homosexuality will become fully accepted in almost all societies.
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