Homosexuality

Comparison Essay # 100694

Gender and Sexuality > Homosexuality
Religion and Theology

Homosexuality

This paper compares homosexuality today in the United States with this same behavior in ancient Greece.

1,885 words () | 7 sources | MLA | 2007 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that, since ancient Greece, when homosexuality was not only accepted but oftentimes encouraged, many changes have impacted society's view so that, today, in the United States, homosexuality is no longer accepted and is openly discouraged by the majority. The author points out that the main catalyst responsible for this drastic change has been Christianity through its intolerance and desire for members. The paper concludes that, despite the bigotry and indifference of some of the 'religious' public, great strides have been made by the gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans-gender community to regain their rights so that they are equal to the rights of heterosexuals. The paper includes an annotated bibliography.

Table of Contents:
The Modern View
The Ancient View
Religion's Impact on Homosexuality

From the Paper:

"In these relationships, there was a courtship ritual where the erastes would present the boy with small gifts such as a rooster, pieces of meat, a disk, or a bottle of oil. If the boy accepted the gift, then he would become the erastes' eromenos and therefore be allowing the erastes to have sex with him. However, the erastes was to show he had more noble interests in the boy than just sexual ones. The eromenos, in turn, was not to submit too easily, and if pursued by more than one man, he was to show discretion between them and pick the noblest."

Sample of Sources Used:

Cantor, Donald, et al. Same-Sex Marriage: The Legal and Psychological Evolution in America. Middletown, CT: Wesleyan UP, 2006.
Dolen, Hein van. "Greek Homosexuality." Livius Articles on Ancient History. 12 Nov 2007 <http://www.livius.org/ho-hz/homosexuality/homosexuality.html>.
Ferguson, Lee Ann. Personal Interview. 16 Nov. 2007.
"GLBT Youth Stats." PFLAG Phoenix. 27 Nov 2007 <http://www.pflagphoenix.org/education/youth_stats.html>.
Percy, William. Pederasty and Pedagogy in Archaic Greece. Chicago: U of Illinois P, 1996.