Homosexuality in the Context of History

Since the birth of civilization until the modern times, the controversy surrounding homosexuality has not shown signs of abating. Although at present, much has been achieved by pro gay groups to increase societal acceptance of homosexuality, it cannot be denied that the debate still rages on. This is despite the fact that there is little novelty in all the possible angles of both sides of the argument.

One such common angle which until now has been constantly rehashed is the notion of nature. There have been many instances in which the argument of nature has been used to both prove and disprove the biological and social validity of homosexuality. For those who oppose homosexuality, the argument proceeds along the basic lines of the nature of biological make up. It has been determined that biologically, it is the male and the female who fit each other perfectly and who are therefore capable as a pair to answer the biological necessity of procreation. To engage therefore in same sex acts is to engage in something that is completely unnatural. Pro gay supporters however argue that as far as nature is concerned both psychology and certain religious groups recognize that homosexuality as a sexual orientation alone is a function of what is a person's natural tendency. On this side of the argument, historical context has often been cited as proof that homosexuality was and is a natural and normal sexual orientation.

In western civilization, the most often cited example is that of ancient Greece. There were some city states that actually allowed same sex partnerships. At this time, it was more for the sake of mentoring that younger males were allowed to pair with older, more experienced males. The sexual component of such partnerships however was lost on no one.

In Macedonia, one cannot imagine its glorious history without thinking of Alexander the Great. Now, thanks to scholarly studies, it has been determined that the great conqueror had no qualms about same sex encounters. Other famous western personalities who have been known to openly embrace same sex attraction were the philosopher Socrates, Romans Hadrian and Julius Ceasar, and Renaissance masters Donatello and Michaelangelo.

Aside from the western world, other cultures have also shown some degree of acceptance for same sex partnerships. Among some Native American tribes for example, it is but normal for some members of the tribe to be twin-spirited, with some males choosing to live as typical females.

There is also some historical proof that in Japan and China, homosexuality was already an accepted reality even before the birth of Christianity.

The argument therefore is that if homosexuality is something that is unnatural, how can it have been so prevalent in history? Although others contend that homosexuality is a modern concept and cannot be equated with historical evidence of the acceptance of same sex relationships, it cannot be denied that even before homosexuality became a social label, it was and still is accepted by certain cultures and recognized as normal and natural. At first glance it may seem inconsequential to argue about the roots and historical context of homosexuality. Upon hindsight however, one cannot help but realize that it is crucial to gain an understanding of what history has to say about homosexuality. It is through our understanding of how it was that we can arrive at how things should be.