Sexual orientation is perceived as a sexual attraction, romantic in nature, to people of the opposite, same or either sexes as well as more than one gender (Foucault, 4). The attractions from these orientations are usually based under heterosexuality, homosexuality and bisexuality which emphasize the equivalence of orientations within males and females. Heterosexuality is an attraction an individual possesses towards other sexes while homosexuality an individual’s attraction towards the same sex. Bisexuality on the other hand is an attraction to both sexes (Foucault, 5). Culturally, this usage makes sense because heterosexual people comprise of the majority and are commonly perceived as being normal while homosexual and bisexual people form the small and at times the stigmatized minority (LeVay, 4). Previous research has significantly proved the fact that sexual orientations have to receive equal legal attention to create awareness that an individual can be attracted to whoever he wishes to without facing criticism (Macgillivray, 114).
History of sexual orientation: In the seventeenth century, the term sex was a taboo to many people thus most never used it in public (Foucault, 17). As a result, sexuality emerged as an issue related to oppression. It was a taboo to engage in sexual activities if its aim was not for birth. The only way to liberate it from this oppression was to make it an open issue to both peers and parents (Foucault, 20). Studies as far as 1991 prove the existence of a biological relationship between human nature and sexual orientation (Foucault, 20). There exist a number of biological factors which when looked in to in detail give a comprehensive understanding for this kind of argument. This theory places sexual orientation in a larger framework of gender.
Homosexuality: it is a generalized term used to refer to the act of both lesbians and gays engaging in sexual acts though to unknown to many, the gay term can also be put to use when referring to either male or female homosexuals (Shah, 67). However, it is difficult for researchers to estimate the number of people who are attracted to the same sex or have the same sexual experiences (LeVay, 6). Genetic and biological factors are among the main theories that explain the causes leading to homosexual cases. These attractions develop primarily as psychological, environmental influences and early experiences (Parsons and Byne, 2).
Race:
basically, it can be defined as social construct used in grouping individuals in to different groups that are identified by features such as physical traits, ancestry, genetics or even social traits that are possessed in common. In most cases, the term is applied when the intention is to provide a framework of ranked categories with an aim of placing the population in to segments like how it was conducted by Western Europeans who developed the idea (Shah, 75). In relation to sexual orientations, individuals have different interests which are responsible for their sexual preference and interests for different races. On the other hand, it is to be understood that terming a specific race negatively amounts to racism (Shah, 76). From the research findings available, people of color have in large numbers admitted to be more attracted to white people (Shah, 56).
Gender: can be defined as a complex trait that is beneficial because it comprises the social extents that are necessary for understanding its impact. Sex and gender are terms used interchangeably but have different meanings. Gender is a term used to classify males and females based on the social construction of community differences. Sex mainly bases on biological differences between men and women. Gender basically shows the roles and behavior of people as well as their relationships between and among men and women or boys and girls (Shah, 31). People of different sexual orientations are attracted to people of different gender depending on how they behave around them and how they relate to each other (Shah, 35).
Heterosexuality: A heterosexual person is one who is physically, emotionally or sexually attracted to individuals of the opposite sex. Men who are only attracted to women and women who are solely attracted to men are said to be heterosexual. These people are seen as good people in the society and considered as the majority since their relationships are more recognized compared to the homosexual and bisexual relationships (LeVay, 12). However, heterosexual individuals are not conscious of the freedoms they enjoy in everyday life and therefore tend to take it for granted. Heterosexual people can express their love in public without any fear of ridicule, hostile behavior or criticisms (LeVay, 13).
Bisexuality: A bisexual person is one who is sexually and romantically attracted to both men and women. Some bisexual people however preffer one gender over another (LeVay, 6). Many homosexuals use bisexuality as a way of slowly coming out and adjusting to a gay or lesbian identity and continue to experience the sexual attraction to eithrt women for the lesbians or men for the gay people, throughout their lives. Further, bisexual people face a lot of discrimination and criticisms than homosexuals since they can be rejected by both the heterosexual and homosexual communities (LeVay, 6).
Class: Individuals of different sexual orientations have a preference of the class of people they would like to engage with sexually and emotionally. Research has shown that majority of people especially ladies tend to be attracted to the “ classy” men in the society, in the case of a heterosexual orientation. People want to engage with those who have wealth for various reasons (Shah, 10).
Asexuality: reffers to the lack of sexual attraction towards others. An asexual person does not go through sexual attraction and has little or no desire to engage in sexual activities. These people often enjoy sex with their partners since there is no physical pleasure or emotional attachment from the act. Asexual people however fear to engage in relationships because they think that they are boring and not enjoyable (LeVay, 5)
In conclusion, sexual orientation is a broad topic which allows individuals to choose which classification best represents them. By accepting and embracing your sexual identity and others’, it is possible to find supportive people who have similar feelings and backgrounds. There is an importance to identify and distinguish all sexual orientations and never ridicule other people for their feelings of attraction towards others (Shah, 45).
Works cited
.Foucault, Michel. History of sexuality. NewYork: Oxford University press, 1998.
LeVay, Simon. "Gay, straight and the reason why." The science of sexual orientation. New York: Oxford; New York: OxfordUniversity Press,2017, 2016.
Macgillivray, Ian K. Sexual orientation and school policy. Lanham,Mar: Rowman " Littlefield, 2004.
Parsons and Affiliation Byne. Human sexual orientation. New YorkArchives of general psychiatry, 1993.
Russel, Stephen Thomas. "Sexual Orientation,Gender Identiti and Schooling." n.d.
Shah, Dayna K. Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Employment Discrimination: Overview of State Statutes and Complaint Data. Washington, DC: U.S. Govt. Accountability Office, 2009. Internet resource
W Byne Affilication: Department of psychiatry, Columbia Iniversity, College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York,NY and B Parsons. Human sexual orientation. New York: Archives og general psychiatry, 1993.
