Alejandro Muniz

BUS 430
FINAL PROJECT
APRIL 26, 2011

HOMOSEXUALITY AS A SOCIAL PRODUCT

In today’s society, sexuality is a political issue; a mere tool used to maintain

equilibrium in the social order. It’s an instrument that functions as a means of distraction to

avoid more important conflict. This is why institutions with authority are entitled to have

the power of deciding a series of norms that limit sexuality’s parameters and reinforce the

balance in the society’s hierarchy levels.

Through the use of these norms that have been easily converted into laws,

inequality ends up being out of boundaries in this orderly system. Both symbolic and

physic violence are used to enforce these rules over our lives, and these, are situated by our

superiors as being beyond our own existence, transforming individuals and their freedom

into invisible when they are confronted in a social structure that is defined from the top of

the hierarchical levels.

Sexuality is the result of the combination of nature with social structure and it,

therefore, responds to social conditions that are determined by certain contexts.

In a first glance, one could argue that sexual preferences may appear to be

intimate issues that should be concerned only by one’s privacy. This thought derivates from

the idea that sexuality comes from a natural force that goes beyond the reasonable, and that,

therefore, is a product of an instinct that gives it a character of insulation to change.

Throughout history, influential and powerful institutions (religion, medicine,

marriage, etc) have built diverse points of view that revolve around the same closed,

egoistic foundation, which is centered in the idea that sexuality is only a means of

reproduction. They believe that reproduction and human legacy is the ultimate end of

1
Alejandro Muniz
BUS 430
FINAL PROJECT
APRIL 26, 2011

every sexual practice, and it moves out of the normal principles every practice that does not

follow that objective.

The truth however, is that sexuality goes beyond nature standards. Human

sexuality is based on decisions, and on social and cultural norms that do not necessarily

view reproduction as a main purpose or goal. Most of today’s sexual practices do not view

natural heritage as an objective. Therefore, it is evident that nature does not determine

sexual preferences.

It is obvious that these same institutions exercise their power to use sexuality as

an instrument to maintain social order. They don’t understand that from the moment that

culture and society regulate sexual practices, they become social practices.

Sexuality is centered in desire in today’s society. Desire the, appears as a

necessity based mainly on pleasure. Desire, therefore is subject to change. It’s a social

product that has been modified throughout history. Public structure builds it and

materializes it; people define the meaning of desire.

Desire and pleasure create conflict between communities, and these problems,

may have the power to make society lose equilibrium in its structure. This is why we’re

limited by the use of certain norms, so problems are avoided. Every social system is based

on rules that create that same structure. Therefore, every system has as primary goal the

avoidance of chaos and the creation of balance and order.

It seems absurd that while these social systems are subject to constant change,

conservative ideas try to resist to it, and let some parts of the structure to switch, meanwhile

others are viewed as impossible to move because of their importance in society, when the

2
Alejandro Muniz
BUS 430
FINAL PROJECT
APRIL 26, 2011

truth is that a change in how we view sexuality would not make our system substantially

different.

Nowadays, we’re found in a transition age, a stage in which the world order is

changing; borders and structures are, as well, moving. Times like these make it easy for

contradictions to appear to light, making them more questionable now. We currently are in

an ideal position to accept change, and start molding a different system that allows

ourselves to enhance our freedom, and increase our moments of happiness. This is a time to

amplify the respect for each one of us.

To resist change is to maintain an extreme position. It is to abandon the subject

and the acceptance of the object. It’s to abandon of one’s life and the acceptance of being a

mere instrument. It is the reinforcement of the separation of what is a part of a whole. It is

stopping the efforts to find the best possible circumstances for the members of our society.

Historically, institutions have used sanctions to impose or to grant a specific

preferential sexual practice that everyone else must follow. The organization of sexuality is

materialized in an obligatory heterosexuality. Several judgments, values and positions are

taken around this practice.

From the hierarchical top, norms are established to enforce regulation, which

then, associates the normal standard to something desirable and good, and the differences

are viewed as abnormal; something wrong and avoidable. Then heterosexuality is viewed

as normal, and everything else, as abnormal.

This abnormality seems to be out of the society system. However, since this

abnormality, normality is not to exist, therefore, it is part of the same equilibrium. To tag

3
Alejandro Muniz
BUS 430
FINAL PROJECT
APRIL 26, 2011

homosexuality as abnormal is what permits the existence of heterosexuality as normal, and

it, at the same time, reinforces the practice of the later.

Institutions decide what normal is, and what it is not. These definitions of good

and wrong allow the construction of a hierarchical pyramid that is sustained on judgment

and violence. This is why without the existence of abnormality; this kind of equilibrium

would not have reason to exist.

When society views desire as their ultimate virtue, limitations and norms reduce

the satisfaction levels. This is why obligatory homosexuality eradicates the existence of

other possible forms of sexuality and distorts, therefore, reality.

Heterosexuality gains an institutional character that gives it the ability to

segregate and ignore anyone who questions its purpose. It limits anything that may have the

potential to disrupt the social order or the systemic equilibrium in a specific context. This

endangerment is materialized in discrimination, bullying and violence to those who is not

included in the norm. Anything outside the previously established standards is vanished

when questions are raised.

Some may also argue that homosexuality, as any deviation in life, intoxicates and

contaminates the pure standard, which in this case is heterosexuality. When this

contamination takes place, corruption is started and the whole social virtue is now shattered

and influenced, taking the weak parts away from it and creating a change that the majority

does not need.

This idea, again, parts from an ideology that rejects change. Believing that

homosexuality tears down the traditional concept of family and marriage is naive. One

4
Alejandro Muniz
BUS 430
FINAL PROJECT
APRIL 26, 2011

cannot blame their own mistakes and flaws by blaming some external factor that has no real

influence over them, it is like saying that because of fraud existing in businesses, my own

business went bankrupt. It just does not have any correlation.

Many blame homosexuals for ruining child’s lives, and argue that its lack of

moral standards make society weaker when confronted to tougher issues. Many argue The

truth however, could not be more far away from being truth. Some think that “a sexual

behavior that is killing our young people and destroying families” 1, but this allegation, as

many other beliefs and propaganda created to infiltrate an already somewhat paranoiac

society, with fear.

“Residents of the Netherlands overwhelmingly support allowing same-sex

partners to marry, according to the Euro-barometer conducted by TNS Opinion & Social.

82 per cent of Dutch respondents agree with homosexual marriages being sanctioned

throughout Europe.”2 Following Holland, Sweden and other were the first countries in

Europe to remove homosexuality as an illness.

This happened in 2006, and based on the arguments that put homosexuality as

the main reason for societies to start their tremble and collapse, one would think that these

nations would already be on the edge of anarchy and lack of moral values. However, it is

undisputable to say that these countries are facing a moral crisis. These are considered to be

some of the places with the “highest life quality” 3, and according to the United Nations, are

among the countries with the highest human development. Some of them are in fact, above

the United States, which, is one of the most conservative nations in the planet, and is

1
AFA, Action Alert 2/25/97
2
http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/5787/eight_eu_countries_back_same_sex_marriage/
3
http://hdr.undp.org/en/statistics/

5
Alejandro Muniz
BUS 430
FINAL PROJECT
APRIL 26, 2011

recognized to be very reluctant to accept homosexuality as a positive factor in our day to

day life.

As a matter of fact, the main factors that destroy families and break down society

are other kind of issues. These characters are well embodied in the American culture and no

one seems to have such strong oppositions as they do with homosexuality.

Alcoholism, drug addiction, and divorce are the essential factors that have

contributed to the decrease in family unity in the United States. “50% percent of first

marriages, 67% of second and 74% of third marriages end in divorce” 4. America is the

nation where most marriages end up in divorce, more families are separated and broken in

the United States than in any other nation in the globe, making it obvious that the real

broken society is and has been established here.

Homosexuals have no room of blame. They have not contributed in any way to

the lack of moral values that this country has, and it seems very ironic how these moral

standards that conservatives try to defend by forcing homosexuality, are highly ranked in

countries were homosexuality is not a taboo nor is it considered an illness.

Hypocrisy lays down at the core of this issue. While conservative institutions

engage in passionate arguments, reject, and put down any idea that is different to theirs,

minorities show that their movement, is in fact real. This change in how society feels about

sexuality has been in fact a painful and difficult road, but the light at the end of the tunnel

seems to be nearer, most people around the planet have been changing their mind about this

issue, and now they are waiting for the last heaviness of conservatism to be thrown away,

and then change will be able to keep they movement in society as it always has done.
4
http://www.divorcerate.org/

6
Alejandro Muniz
BUS 430
FINAL PROJECT
APRIL 26, 2011

As Heraclitus stated centuries ago, “change is the only constant in life” 5. This

change has been facing the human race in several parts of the globe. The reform, the

enlightenment, the French revolution, and the information revolution have been ways in

which change switches the way people view life, and one way or another, society moves

forward, embracing this change, and embracing the possibility of more freedom and a

higher standard of life.

We now are in a crucial time, and if we decide to leave any prejudgment and

hypocrisy behind; change will benefit our lives by giving us freedom and enlightenment.

Another argument against homosexuality is that the normal is being male or

female, and from this point, the rest of the pyramid is organized. In a patriarchal society,

anything that gets close to masculine is considered normal. Anything that sets far from its

masculinity or stands as a menace to the current system is viewed as abnormal.

Since we live in a patriarchal society, heterosexuality takes away power of

decision to women, transforming their sexuality into slavery. The sexual power is

masculine and women accept as normal that power, therefore, they forget about themselves

and their potential power. This identification reinforces their acceptance of slavery.

Therefore feminine sexuality exists merely because of a masculine claim. The

knowledge of sexuality results invisible and is not allowed to exist. What is unknown

cannot be defined. Diversity and feminist sexuality does not exist in the masculine agenda;

does not exist in the patriarchal system.

The rest of sexual preferences or option are available to people; they exist, but

they are socially punished. Homosexuality is perceived as an aberration. The idea of forced
5
Bakalis, Nikolaos (2005). Handbook of Greek Philosophy: Trafford Publishing. pp. 26–45

7
Alejandro Muniz
BUS 430
FINAL PROJECT
APRIL 26, 2011

heterosexuality paralyzes everything that does not revolve in heterosexuality as the ultimate

standard of sexuality.

Paralyzing is making the different subject invisible. It’s to not give whoever is

out of the norm a voice or an opinion. It’s to not give change and movement the protagonist

character in society, and this, is absurd, since movement and change are the only constant

in life.

Abnormality or difference, is only recognized when they become objects of

definition when the norm, which owes its existence to its opposite, states what’s desirable

and what is not. Thus, in example, when homosexuality is viewed from the institutional

parameters, is not able to be thought of as independent, because of its own counterpart.

Heterosexuality oppresses everyone. It only allows people to express in its own

terms, and whatever is outside of them is immediately disqualified and rejected. The claims

that try to convert social issues into natural issues abandon all possibility of creating other

types of positions and views.

These claims not only limit society, but it also force a specific philosophy; a

concrete way to act, to choose, to feel, etc. they reduce individuals to a species of tools, and

they evaporate any trace of exclusivity in or lives.

The heterosexual society is based on the need of the existence of what is

different in all levels. This society would not be able to exist without this concept. What is

conceived as different or abnormal is dominated. Due to the dominated, the dominator is.

Defining ourselves within the parameters given from the institutional influence,

meaning, defining us as male and female, as lesbians and homosexuals, is to play within the

8
Alejandro Muniz
BUS 430
FINAL PROJECT
APRIL 26, 2011

schemes of the philosophy established from the institutions, and therefore, is to continue

with the preservation of the forced heterosexuality as the only sexual options that the

human race possesses.

Identity, whatever it may be, generalizes roles and judgments and values.

Therefore always generates exclusion. Instead of an essentialist agenda, identities are

produced and distributed by authority and institutions as a means of control.

Furthermore, this authority figures do not reject this identity of forced

heterosexuality as a means of politic action. They use it as a political strategy through the

performance of the identities considered from society as deviated.

Homosexuality stands by itself as the normal, the good and the desirable,

qualifying then, anything else as abnormal, wrong and avoidable; it stands as the majority

against the minority. Anything hetero is public and visible, and what is left is invisible and

private. The main goal for society should then be, to make visible the invisible, and to make

public what’s private.

These new virtues seek unity within the plurality, and the overcoming of the

heterosexual standard. This is why differences are not to be transcendental. A society in

which people think differently between each other on such a basic topic wouldn’t be so

polarized and discriminating if it were not by those ideas and philosophies pre-established

by the top of the hierarchy in our daily lives.

Life is about accepting that our bodies do not determine our sexuality, even

though it has a role of big influence on it. Life also is about realizing that sexuality has a

social dimension, because of the changes and movements in our social interaction.

9
Alejandro Muniz
BUS 430
FINAL PROJECT
APRIL 26, 2011

“Sexuality does not adjust to a unique model, but it is plural and ever-

changing”.6 This abnormal plurality is what the normal tries to control, and regulate. It’s the

resistance to follow the processes that take to become normal. It’s the unity of the minority,

converted in a multitude to affront the questionable issues that society has had during

history.

At the end, Paul taught us to judge ourselves, “But if we judged ourselves

rightly, we would not be judged”7, and Jesus himself stated that hypocrisy is not to be

tolerated. Instead, we should focus on respecting our brothers and sisters, and support us

one another in the love of Christ, and if we still do not agree with homosexuals, are

obligated to love them, and have mercy on them, for we are no to judge. If we show the

light and the love of Christ to everyone, it is granted that they will try to embrace this idea,

instead of instantly reject it because of the judgment and the discriminations that people

that call themselves Christians, but in reality are a mere anti-gay groups, such as, the WBC 8

have done in the past.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. AFA, Action Alert 2/25/97

2. http://www.angus-
reid.com/polls/5787/eight_eu_countries_back_same_sex_marriage/
3. http://hdr.undp.org/en/statistics/
4. http://www.divorcerate.org/
5. Bakalis, Nikolaos (2005). Handbook of Greek Philosophy: Trafford Publishing.
pp. 26–45

6
Beatriz Preciado, Multitudes Queer (translated)
7
1 Corinthians 11.31
8
www.godhatesfags.com

10
Alejandro Muniz
BUS 430
FINAL PROJECT
APRIL 26, 2011

6. Beatriz Preciado, Multitudes Queer (translated)

7. 1 Corinthians 11.31
8. www.godhatesfags.com

11