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However, biologists have discredited the natural law theory since researchers discovered that "homosexual behavior was widespread among various nonhuman species and in a large number of human societies," (Herek 2009). In fact, anthropologists found that homosexuality is not uncommon among the world's diverse societies (Herek 2009).
In most cultures, homosexuality has been condemned, sometimes severely so. Some American colonies passed shockingly cruel laws that were overt extensions of religious points-of-view: "male and female homosexual acts were punishable by death," (Herek 2009). State sanctioned persecution of homosexuality continues even in societies that guarantee equal protection of the law and which prohibit state-sanctioned religious doctrine such as the United States. Homosexual persons are prohibited from entering into a marriage contract in the United States: which by definition constitutes discrimination. Several states in America have lifted their restrictions on gay marriage, but the federal government has yet to take a stance that expressly extends equal protection to the issue of homosexual marriage.
During the nineteenth century, science and religion "competed… for jurisdiction over sexuality," (Herek 2009). Even when science replaced religion in the public sphere, homosexuality was still a taboo subject and a taboo practice. During the early twentieth century, social scientists ranging from Sigmund Freud to Alfred Kinsey pointed out the natural sexual impulses among human beings that included not only homosexuality but also masturbation. Their research formed the basis of a shifting worldview toward sexuality.
Views on homosexuality...
The Civil Rights movement encompassed not only racial equality and gender equality but also sexual equality. However, social change takes years. Social norms continue to condemn homosexuality, and heterosexuality is considered the norm. Recent discourse in the area of homosexuality offers some promise that ingrained prejudices and outmoded beliefs will soon be cast aside. Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair went so far as to urge the Pope to change Catholic doctrine regarding homosexuality, claiming that "the world is changing," and that "ordinary Catholics" like Blair himself are ready for change (cited by Irvine 2009).
References
American Academy of Family Physicians (2006). Homosexuality: Facts for teens. Retrieved April 13, 2009 from http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/children/teens/sexuality/739.html
Herek, G.M. (2009).Facts about homosexuality and mental health. Retrieved April 13, 2009 from http://psychology.ucdavis.edu/rainbow/HTML/facts_mental_health.htmL
Irvine, C. (2009). Tony Blair says Pope's views on homosexuals is wrong. Telegraph.co.uk. 8 April 2009. Retrieved April 13, 2009 from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/5122525/Tony-Blair-says-Popes-views-on-homosexuals-is-wrong.html
Kouki, G. (1997). Homosexuality: Giving your point-of-view. Stand to Reason. Retrieved April 13, 2009 from http://www.str.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=5302
Pickett, B. (2006). Homosexuality. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved April 13, 2009 from http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/homosexuality/
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