These are answers to some of the most frequent questions that are asked from the WSG.
• Who is a homosexual person?
A homosexual is a person who is attracted to a person of the same sex – this attraction can be emotional, physical, and romantic. Both men and women can be homosexual – a woman who loves women and a man who loves men.
• Who is a heterosexual person?
A heterosexual (sometimes called ‘straight’) person is attracted to the opposite sex - a woman who loves a man and a man who loves a woman. This is seen to be the predominant and privileged sexual orientation in our times.
• Who is a lesbian?
A lesbian is a woman who is emotionally, romantically and physically attracted to other women. Most women who identify as lesbians say they prefer only women. However, 'lesbian' is used as both a sexual orientation as well as a political identity. The name comes from the Greek island ‘Lesbos' where Sappho - a poetess known for poetry celebrating love between women - lived and taught.
• Who is a gay person?
‘Gay' is another word that means homosexual. As such, a ‘gay person' is a homosexual man or woman. In this sense, the word ‘gay' is used in phrases such as ‘the gay community' or ‘gay symbol'. However, more commonly it is used to refer to homosexual men – ‘gay man', ‘gay sex', etc.
• Who is a bisexual person?
A bisexual person is someone who is attracted to both men and women. While some bisexual people say they are equally attracted to both sexes, most bisexual people are more attracted to one sex (it can be the opposite or the same sex) than the other. There is a common misconception that bisexual people have relationships with both men and women at the same time. While there may be some bisexual people who conduct multiple relationships at the same time (like some heterosexual and homosexual people) this does not mean that it is a defining characteristic of bisexuals.
• What is the difference between transgendered and transsexual people?
'Transsexual' and 'transgendered' are terms used interchangeably and in diverse ways at present. Transsexual/transgendered people generally feel that they were born in a body that does not suit their gender. For example, a man could feel that he is a woman born into a male body. Some transgendered people change their body by undergoing sex reassignment surgery (SRS). In some communities, the term 'transsexual' is used to mean only person who have undergone SRS.
However, ‘transgender' is also term that includes many people, whether gay, lesbian, bisexual or heterosexual, who do not conform to the gender stereotypes in the society they live in. The word is here used to denote the fact that such people cross or transgress gender boundaries.
• How do you become a lesbian (or homosexual)?
In the same way that no one really ‘becomes' heterosexual, no one ‘becomes' a lesbian or homosexual. You become aware of your feelings for the same sex in the same manner that you become aware of your feelings for the opposite sex. Some LGBT people keep their feelings secret for fear of repercussions, but there are others who are open about their sexuality (to varying degrees).
Though there are many theories as to whether one becomes homosexual due to genes, factors to do with upbringing, or choice, these issues have not been resolved.
• Can you be gay or lesbian without ever having a sexual experience?
Sexual orientation is not decided by sexual experiences. One does not need to have a sexual experience or encounter to know that you are attracted to men or women. We generally know whether we are sexually attracted to someone (whether male or female) a long time before we have sex.
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• Do women become lesbians because they have had bad experiences with men?
No. Bad experiences with men are not the reason for lesbians preferring women to men - it is their attraction to women. If all women who have bad experiences with men became lesbians there would not be many heterosexual women left!
• Is homosexuality an illness? Can it be cured?
No, homosexuality is not an illness or a mental disorder, though many people think it is. In 1973, the American Psychiatric Association removed the classification of homosexuality as a mental disorder from the Diagnostic and Social Manual (DSM). In 1990, the World Health Organisation removed homosexuality from their list of mental disorders. However, most professionals in the mental health field in our country still remain homophobic, thinking that they can ‘cure' homosexuality or make homosexuals ‘heterosexual'.
Due to the stigma and discrimination that people from the LGBT community face during their lives, they do face a higher risk in terms of mental illness.
We have tried to answer the basic questions that people have about the LGBT community. If your question has not been answered on this page or if you have comments and/or complaints about any information or opinions on this page,
please write to us at info@wsglanka.com
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