CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION
Background to the study
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual intercourse or behaviour between members of the same sex (beth 1992:2). As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectionate or romantic attractions primarily and exclusively to people of the same sex (Redmond 1999).
The term homosexual is derived from a Greek word “homos” which means same. Thus connoting sexual acts and affections between members of the same sex. Lesbianism is a sexual act between females while Gay generally refers to male homosexuality. The word “Lesbians” is derived from the name of the Greek island “Lesbos”, where the poet Sappho wrote largely about her emotional relation with young women.
Historically, homosexuality has attracted much interest and attention but attitudes towards such preference of having sex with one of the same gender have varied in different epochs and cultural groups ranging from acceptance as among the ancient Greeks, to measured tolerance in the Roman times and outright condemnations. (Greg Reeder 1999).
According to the old testament, Leviticus 16:8-22, 20:13) sex between men is an abomination and any involved will be put to death, other parts of the Bible makes it known that homosexuality is a sin and any involved in it faces strong penalty. Such books of the Bible like the book of Romans 1:18-31, Corinthians 6:9 which says that homosexuals are unrighteous and will not inherit the kingdom of God. This however has affected the Judeo-Christian attitude towards homosexuality for centuries.
Also in primitive time, negative attitude is found in different cultures even in Africa, there has been serious condemnation of homosexuality such that anyone involved in act will be put to death.
In the late 19th century ambivalent attitude have prevailed, that is, opposing feelings about homosexuality such that some people fell homosexuality is normal and they tend to fight for their freedom. In some primitive societies homosexual activities are considered normal and socially acceptable. For instance in Arunta of Central Australia, homosexuality is a common practice. Some nations such as Great Britain, United States and West Germany to mention but a few have recently legalized homosexual relations between consenting adults. In the United states, in the 1940s homosexuality was classified as felony with punishment up to life imprisonment in all states. (Frank Beach 1991).
By the early 1970s at least ten states had legalized such acts between consenting adults. One third of the societies studied by ford and Beach include many industrialized countries; give little or no sanction to homosexuals.