Homosexuality is by no means a "phenomenon" of modern times. Since time immemorial (and in the animal kingdom, too, by the way), there have been creatures that are attracted to the same sex.
What homosexuality means can be seen from the word alone. The Greek word "homos" stands for "same," and "sexus" is Latin and means "sex. Homosexuality, however, means more than just loving the same sex. People who desire their sex and have sex with same-sex partners without being in a direct partnership with them are also usually referred to as "homosexual." In short, homosexuality can be lived in different ways.
Conversely, there are also people who have sex with the same sex but would not necessarily describe themselves as "homosexual". Ultimately, it is accordingly also a question of self-identification. And this is exactly what we have to accept.
Homosexuality through the ages
As already mentioned, homosexuality played a role in people's lives from early times. Among other things, there are drawings from ancient times and the Middle Ages that show orgies. Here it was apparently absolutely no problem to become erotically active with the same sex.
However, the opinion of society changed again and again. Thus, especially in the 19th century, people were of the opinion that homosexuality was a disease that had to be treated. From then on, many people found themselves under enormous pressure. Again and again they were told, among other things also from the scientific side, that there was something wrong with them.
Under the Nazis, they eventually went so far as to persecute people for their homosexuality. Especially many gay men were imprisoned at that time because of their sexual orientation. Some of them were even murdered in the concentration camps.
Homosexuality in everyday life: Are queers disadvantaged?
In many countries of the world, queers are not yet legally equal with the rest of society. And even in many modern and actually open-minded societies, people are still forced to "justify" their homosexuality in this day and age.
According to statistics, many queer people are victims of violent assaults. Therefore, the calls for tougher punishment of homophobic assaults are now becoming louder and louder.
Even though much has been achieved with regard to the topic of homosexuality in the course of the last decades, it is definitely not yet possible to speak of complete equality. There are still disadvantages in the profession and also in "normal everyday life".
Does one consciously choose homosexuality?
This is a question that, among other things, also occupies many scientists. For a long time, researchers have wanted to find out what factors can lead to a person becoming homosexual.
What exactly supports homosexuality has not yet been 100 percent clarified. While some scientists take the approach that homosexuality is innate, there are also many researchers who support the thesis that homosexuality only develops over time and is accordingly dependent on external factors.
However, most people would agree that a gay man or lesbian woman does not wake up in the morning and decide that they are queer. Rather, the corresponding realization is often a process, in the context of which an understanding environment can be very valuable.
When a person discovers his homosexuality is not subject to any standards. Some notice it earlier, others later.
Homosexuality is a complex and difficult subject that can evoke strong feelings in both those who identify as homosexual and those who do not. I had really big problems to come out at that time