Winslow Homer

The word “homosexual” means pertaining to, characteristic of, or exhibiting sexual desire for others of one’s own sex (Mifflin 1980). Other terms that are synonyms for this word are gay or lesbian. The word “gay” usually pertains to a male while the word “lesbian” pertains to a female. Homosexuality on the whole is shunned by American society. People sometimes tend to take a holier than thou attitude when it comes to the issue of homosexuality. A plethora of myths surrounds the entire concept of same-sex relationships. Some theories are that homosexuality is wrong and unnatural, and also that people who are homosexual choose to be that way only to go against the grain of the so called normalcy of heterosexuality. In other words, it is implied by these theories that homosexuals seek to purposely be outcasts in society. The last century has been a time of change in the construct of homosexuality; the oppression and liberation of gays, lesbians, and bisexuals; and in...