Social Impact of Homosexuality

Abstract

The term homosexual describes those who have sex with, or are sexually attracted to, persons of the same (Greek: homo) sex .In modem Western usage, male homosexuals are referred to as "gay" and female homosexuals as "lesbian". In all societies men have had sex with men (and probably women with women, though this is less well documented), but having this behavior as a basis for a social -and especially an organizing or life- long - identity is a resent. Sexual deviance is a common problem in any society. Due to the rapid social and economic changes this problem has become a more complex issue. Homosexuality is ·one of major problems in sexual deviance in Sri Lanka. 5-8 % percentages of people are addicted to homosexual behavior in Sri Lanka. The shift in both popular attitudes towards homosexuality disrupts the social organizations, their homosexual identity and sub culture. It can be seen largely as a consequence of the rise of a lesbian and gay movement. · The methodology used was the method of survey. Interviews and questionnaires were the techniques of data collection. The survey used two samples. One with 20 men who have had sex with men in the organization" Companions on a Journey" in Colombo and 10 women who have had sex with women under the organization "Women's Support Group" in Colombo. The other one is based on a random sampling of 100 people in Society.50 University students from Kelaniya, Jayewardenepura, Colombo, Peradeniya and Ruhuna and another 50 employees working as lectures, doctors, lawyers, engineers, and accountants.30 homosexuals who have had sex with same persons were also interviewed. Most gay persons had become addicted to homosexual behavior in the age group of31-36. They have had their first homosexual experience at the age group of 11-14. They have come across this behavior from peer groups or adults. According to the study, the social impacts are, the increasing of sexual diseases, collapse of marriage life, collapse of the parent and children relationships, divorce cases, addict to arrack, increase of child abuse, increasing social isolation, labeling as a gay or lesbians, the effect on culture etc. According to the study it should be a debatable topic regarding on sociological studies. It will help to clarifY sexual behavior at every stage, gender as well as class.