Muchacha en una ventana (Salvador Dalí 1925)

domingo, 7 de julio de 2019

ORGULLO GAY (HOY LLAMADO LGTBIQ+). ¿DE QUÉ Y POR QUÉ? / GAY PRIDE (CALLED TODAY LGTBIQ+). WHAT AND WHY?

UNA BREVE REFLEXIÓN SOBRE EL MUNDO HOMOSEXUAL Y SUS DERIVACIONES.

Desde hace varios años (La primera manifestación en España data del 26 de junio de 1977), cada 28 de junio (puede variar la fecha, según circunstancias), con gran repercusión en todos los medios de comunicación, estamos asistiendo a una serie de actos organizados por la comunidad conocida como LGTBIQ+ (lesbianas, gais, transexuales, bisexuales, intersex queer... y todo lo que vayan añadiendo. Actualmente suponen, en cifras estimadas, el 6 % de la población europea), que han dado en llamar “Día Internacional del Orgullo LGTBIQ+”. Por principios, y siempre que su comportamiento no sea censurable, no tengo ninguna animadversión a las personas que se encuadran en  ese colectivo, ni tampoco pretendo negar el derecho que les asiste para manifestarse públicamente con objeto de reivindicar lo que, en razón y justicia, crean les pertenece. Otra cosa bien distinta es estar de acuerdo, o no, en los modos y formas con las que están llevando a cabo esas reivindicaciones, con manifestaciones que traspasan los más generosos límites de la tolerancia, llegando incluso a situaciones que, sin paliativos, merecen el calificativo de execrables, perdiendo, de ese modo, cualquier razón que pudiera asistirles por lo impropio de esos comportamientos. Lo que a continuación  se relata no son más que algunas reflexiones y consideraciones sobre este controvertido tema que está generando pasiones contrapuestas. Por tal razón, mi postura a este respecto, que tiene vocación de ser  objetiva, sólo pretende centrarse exclusivamente en hechos, huyendo, en la medida de lo posible, de valoraciones personales.

Aunque es cierto que, al día de hoy, la comunidad científica aún no ha alcanzado un consenso sobre las causas que dan origen a la homosexualidad, también lo es el hecho de que supone una aberración biológica que altera el orden natural del género humano en el aspecto del desarrollo de su orientación sexual. Son diversas, y de corte variado, las hipótesis que, en este aspecto, se barajan: desde propuestas puramente biológicas, entre las que toma fuerza la que se asocia con un fragmento del cromosoma X (marcador genético Xq28), hasta otras relacionadas con efectos epigenéticos derivados de la hormona testosterona, pasando por aquellas que la atribuyen exclusivamente a factores relacionados con vivencias personales y el contexto social donde se desarrolle el individuo. Lo que sí parece claro es que la sexualidad, en sentido amplio, por ser un fenómeno muy complejo, no dependa de un solo factor, sino de una combinación de varios, lo que supone, si cabe, un plus de dificultad añadido en la labor de tratar de buscar su identificación. Lo que ya está casi prácticamente descartado, al menos en el mundo occidental, es que la homosexualidad sea una enfermedad o un trastorno psicológico, como durante mucho tiempo había sido entendida.

Dicho lo anterior, surge la primera pregunta: ¿De qué hay que tener orgullo por ser gay? Si admitimos, como está generalmente reconocido, que el homosexual no se hace, sino que se nace de esa forma, y, además, no tiene posibilidades de cambiar, no parece que, desde el estricto plano de la razón, haya causa que justifique ese hecho. Sería lo mismo que un individuo que naciese zurdo sintiera orgullo por no haber nacido diestro, aun siendo esta última habilidad la más extendida. Ser diferente, cuando no se tiene opción al cambio, no puede ser, en ningún caso, motivo de orgullo, ni tampoco puede considerarse como algo que sea causa de oprobio.

En cuanto a la segunda cuestión: ¿Por qué el orgullo? La comunidad homosexual trata de justificar el orgullo en el hecho de que durante siglos ha  sido reprimida y maltratada por la sociedad en general, que había venido considerando este asunto como algo vergonzoso que debía ser ocultado, y que, en los últimos años, con su lucha, están consiguiendo invertir posturas y opiniones en el camino de ir  ganando, paulatinamente, terreno hacia su total integración como ciudadanos de pleno derecho, pudiendo, de ese modo, alzar su voz para exigir respeto e igualdad; aunque esto último, lo de la igualdad, no lo entienda muy bien, pues se me ocurre preguntar: ¿Será que no quieren verse homosexuales o nos quieren homosexualizar? Bromas aparte, la realidad es que, aunque la homosexualidad aún está siendo perseguida en muchos países, fundamentalmente aquellos en los que está establecida como religión oficial el Islán, es en España donde han alcanzado el mayor nivel de tolerancia del mundo, a pesar de que ya existen 23 países en los que han conseguido alcanzar metas realmente altas, hasta el extremo de legalizar el matrimonio entre personas del mismo sexo, e incluso el establecimiento de familias homoparentales (adopción de hijos por homosexuales), asuntos con los que, personalmente, estoy en total y frontal desacuerdo. Se puede aceptar, sin demasiadas reservas, que dos personas del mismo sexo puedan convivir como una pareja de hecho, teniendo derechos civiles similares a los matrimonios tradicionales entre personas de distinto sexo; pero, desde un razonamiento elemental, llamar a esas uniones “matrimonios” me parece una parodia de mal gusto, un exceso, una auténtica aberración, por la sencilla razón de transgredir el orden natural de las cosas. Que los homosexuales sientan complacencia por los hitos que están consiguiendo me parece humanamente razonable, pero llamar a eso orgullo me parece algo fuera de contexto. Con humildad, sentido común y, sobre todo,  con prudencia, con mucha prudencia, es posible que puedan avanzar en la consecución de sus objetivos. El orgullo, sobre todo cuando se exacerba, como ocurre en este caso, puede ser causa de rechazo mayoritario y, como añadido, una barrera que obstaculice sus pretensiones.

Si la comunidad LGTBI quiere llamar la atención para reivindicar supuestos derechos, haciendo masivas manifestaciones públicas, principalmente en el día que han elegido como “Día Internacional del Orgullo LGTBI" (fiesta que tiene su origen en los disturbios de Stonnewall, acaecidos el 28 de junio de 1969, en Nueva York, Estados Unidos, que marcaron el inicio del movimiento de liberación homosexual, y que consistieron en una serie de manifestaciones espontáneas y violentas en protesta contra una redada policial que tuvo lugar en la madrugada del citado día en el pub conocido como Stonewall Inn), aunque ya lo han convertido en una semana,  con el objeto de que todos los medios de comunicación se hagan eco de su causa, abriendo telediarios y ocupando primeras páginas en los periódicos, deberían de tener especial cuidado y preocuparse por la imagen que transmiten. Las obscenidades de que hacen gala en sus desfiles, catervas que protagonizan espectáculos cargados de escenas grotescas e hirientes para la sensibilidad de muchas personas, atentando de forma flagrante contra los principios y dogmas cristianos, particularmente los católicos (jamás contra el Islán, curiosamente), no dan precisamente ejemplo del respeto que piden a los demás, ni pueden crear un estado de opinión favorable en aquellos países, mayoría por cierto, en los que aún siguen siendo fuertemente rechazados. Por si esto fuera poco, y para más inri, habría que añadir el incondicional apoyo que reciben de muchas instituciones públicas españolas, principalmente corporaciones municipales, que están contribuyendo al “esplendor” de ese “Día del Orgullo” exhibiendo las banderas multicolor que identifican a los gais en los edificios oficiales, e incluso pintando mobiliario urbano con sus colores. Toda una serie de despropósitos, costeados con el dinero del contribuyente, motivados con el único objetivo de ganarse el favor del colectivo homosexual y pescar votos en el seno de sus organizaciones. Intolerable e ignominioso para las personas, la mayoría, que no comulgamos con el fondo y forma con el que se manifiesta el LGTBIQ+. Visto lo cual, y aunque no he tenido ni tengo ningún tipo de fobia hacia los homosexuales, empiezo a considerar que, si esta es la respuesta a la compresión, tolerancia y respeto que la sociedad les ha otorgado, será mejor hacer un ejercicio de apocatástasis devolviéndolos al armario de donde han salido, al menos para aquellos que, confundiendo la libertad con el libertinaje, lideran estos impúdicos actos públicos con tamaña inverecundia. 


Según manifiesta la comunidad gay, que dice estar preocupada por la expansión de la homofobia en el mundo, la homosexualidad no es un problema, pero la homofobia sí: es discriminación. Se puede estar de acuerdo con lo primero, pero hay que poner matices a lo segundo: En todos lo ordenes de la vida se pueden tener partidarios y detractores, creo que esto, además de entendible, es normal e indiscutible. Es obvio que los sentimientos de simpatía o rechazo hacia los demás no son algo preconcebido, prejuicios que nacen con el individuo, ni se producen de manera espontánea en alguna etapa concreta de la vida. Se crean y se fortalecen a lo largo de nuestra existencia al tiempo que se va formando nuestro particular carácter y establecemos los criterios con los que analizamos y juzgamos lo que vemos y la información que recibimos. Las filias y las fobias, por tanto, cuando se trata de personas, tienen mucho que ver con su forma de conducirse, o sea, con su comportamiento y la imagen que nos trasmiten. Por esa razón, cuando un homosexual habla de homofobia, antes de hacer esa categórica aseveración tendría que analizar de qué parte de esa homofobia es culpable.

En resumen, y siempre bajo mi particular punto de vista, creo que el asunto que concierne a todo lo que rodea a la homosexualidad, tanto en España como en otros países donde se les está dando un trato de favor excesivamente tolerante, con concesiones que jamás se debían de haber otorgado, y por falta de sentido común de los propios beneficiarios que no han sabido valorar ni asimilar, en su justa medida y con la moderación que cabría esperar, todo lo que se les ha concedido, se está produciendo un auténtico desmadre que, a pesar de lo indeseable de la situación, no será fácil de frenar y cada vez más difícil de reconducir. A la larga, y a pesar de todo, los más perjudicados serán los propios movimientos gais que, no haciéndose merecedores de la confianza de la que han sido depositarios, irán perdiendo cada vez más apoyos allí donde los hayan tenido al tiempo que cargarán de argumentos a sus detractores para seguir siendo perseguidos en todos los países donde actualmente no son tolerados.  A este respecto, cabe recordar que, a pesar de los avances que han conseguido en estas últimas décadas, todavía hay 72 estados en los que se criminalizan las relaciones sexuales entre personas del mismo sexo. Los castigos que se aplican por manifestaciones homosexuales van desde recibir latigazos o lapidaciones en plazas públicas, hasta condenas de varios años de cárcel, llegando, en casos extremos, a la aplicación de la pena capital. Entre los países en los que actualmente la homosexualidad está penada con la muerte se encuentran  Irán, Sudán, Yemen, Afganistán, Pakistán, Arabia Saudí, Emiratos Árabes Unidos, Catar y Mauritania. Por elementales principios, a estas alturas, en un mundo supuestamente civilizado, no se pueden justificar ni aceptar medidas tan drásticas contra personas que han nacido y viven con una orientación sexual en disonancia con las leyes naturales de la especie, que, además, ni la han podido elegir ni la pueden cambiar. Sin duda que tenemos que estar en contra de ello y, por ende, manifestarlo con toda claridad; pero, al mismo tiempo, también tenemos que exigirles conductas más prudentes, con más moderación y recato. Seguro que ello redundaría en beneficio de todos, del colectivo homosexual primordialmente. Recurriendo a la desvergüenza, la desfachatez y la chabacanería, no se harán respetar más, ni tampoco les conducirá a ninguna parte.

Este es el orgullo Gay: Obscenidad y denigración del ser.

Cada año, este tipo de movimienmtos, con la tolerancia de las autoridades, se muestra más transgresor, llegando a situaciones tan obscenas, como intolerables. A modo de ejemplo, a continuación se incluye un enlace a un vídeo en el que se pide el aborto libre y gratuito (Procesión en el barrio de Lavapiés - Madrid 13 de abril de 2014)


OBSERVACIONES:
Cabe advertir, que las escenas que se visualizan en el vídeo, cuyo enlace directo incluyo a continuación, pueden herir la sensibilidad de algunas personas; aún así, creo oportuno incorporarlo en esta sección como muestra del grado de indecencia en el que ha caído este colectivo, inmerso en una línea de decadencia de la que aún no se puede atisbar el límite.


Por su interés sobre el tema tratado en este artículo, incorporo un vídeo de Cesar Vidal: ¿Qué esconde la ideología de género?  




Oviedo, 07 de julio de 2019 (Revisado y actualizado con fecha 12 de julio de 2022)
C. Díaz Fdez.

P.D.
Aunque he leído mucho sobre el tema de la homosexualidad, me ha llamado particularmente la atención una carta escrita por un presbítero en la que, utilizando un nombre  supuesto de un homosexual fallecido, enfoca la causa y la cura de este "problema" desde un punto de vista estrictamente religioso que creo interesante incluir como anexo a este artículo. He de confesar que, aunque cada vez tengo más dudas sobre la existencia de Dios y la certeza de que, desde una supuesta existencia, no interviene en  nuestra vida ni en nuestro mundo, siempre he respetado, y respeto, toda opinión sobre este delicado asunto, sea compartida, o no, con la mía. En cualquier caso, tanto en este tema, como en otros en los que puedan caber interpretaciones religiosas, yo siempre optaré por la vía que emana de las investigaciones científicas y técnicas.


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A BRIEF REFLECTION ON THE HOMOSEXUAL WORLD

For several years ago (The first demonstration in Spain dates back to June 26, 1977), every June 28 (may vary the day, depending on circumstances), with great impact on all media of comunication, we are attending a  series of events organized by the community known as LGTBIQ+ (lesbians, gays, transsexuals bisexuals. intersex queer... and everything they want to add.- Currently, in estimated figures, are about 6% of the European population), which have been called "International LGTBIQ+ Pride Day". By principles, and as long as their behavior is not reprehensible, I do not have any animosity to the people who are within that group, nor do I intend to deny their right to publicly demonstrate in order to claim what, in reason and justice, they believe it belongs to them. Another thing very different is to agree, or not, in the ways and forms with which they are carrying out these claims, with manifestations that go beyond the most generous limits of tolerance, even reaching situations that, without palliative, deserve the qualifier of execrable, losing, in that way, any reason that could assist them for the impropriety of those behaviors. What follows is nothing more than some reflections and considerations about this controversial issue that is generating diametrically opposed passions. For this reason, my position in this regard, which has only vocation to be objective, solely intends to focus exclusively on facts, fleeing, as far as possible, personal valuations.

Although it is true that, to this day, the scientific community has not yet reached a consensus on the causes that give rise to homosexuality, so is the fact that it supposes a biological aberration that alters the natural order of the human race in the aspect of the development of their sexual orientation. They are diverse, and of varied cut, the hypotheses that, in this aspect, are shuffled: from purely biological proposals, between which takes hold with more force that what is associated with a fragment of the X chromosome (genetic marker Xq28), until others related to epigenetic  effects derivatives of the hormone testosterone, going by those who attribute it exclusively to factors related to personal experiences and the social context where the individual develops. What does seem clear is that sexuality, in a broad sense, for being a very complex phenomenon, does not depend on a single factor, but on a combination of several, which supposes, if it were not enough, a plus of added difficulty in the work of trying to look for your identification. What is almost practically ruled out, al least in the Western world, is that homosexuality be a disease or a psychological disorder, as it had long been understood.

Having said that, the first question arises: What should we be proud of being gay? If we admit, as is generally recognized, that the homosexual is not made, but is born in that way, and also has no possibility of changing, it does not seem that, from the strict plane of reason, there is cause to justify this fact. It would be the same thing for an individual who was born a left-hander to feel proud of not being born right-handed, even though this last skill is the most widespread. To be different, when there is no option to change, can not be, in any case, cause for pride, nor can it be considered as something that is a cause of reproach.

Regarding the second question: Why pride? The homosexual community tries to justify pride in the fact that for centuries it has been repressed and mistreated by society in general, which had been considering this issue as something shameful that should be hidden, and that, in recent years, with its struggle, they are getting to invest positions and opinions in the way of gaining more and more ground towards their total integration as full citizens, being able to raise their voice to demand respect and equality. Although the latter, the equality issue, I do not understand it very well, because it occurs to me to ask: Could it be that they do not want to be homosexual or want to homosexualize us? Jokes aside, the reality is that, although homosexuality is still being persecuted in many countries, mainly in those where the official religion is the Islan, it is in Spain where they have reached the highest level of tolerance in the world, despite the fact that there are already 23 countries in which they have achieved really high goals, to the extent of legalizing same-sex marriage and even the establishment of homoparental families (adoption of children by homosexuals), matters with which, personally, I am in total and frontal disagreement. It can be accepted that two people of the same sex can live together as a couple, having civil rights similar to traditional marriages between people of different sexes; but, from an elementary reasoning, to call those unions "marriages" seems to me a parody of bad taste, an excess, an authentic aberration, for the simple reason of transgressing the natural order of things. That homosexuals feel complacent about the milestones they are achieving seems humanly reasonable, but to call that pride seems to me something out of context. With humility, common sense and, above all, with prudence, with great prudence, it is possible that they can advance in the achievement of their objectives. Pride, especially when it is exacerbated, as in this case, can be a cause for rejection.

If the LGTBIQ+ community wants to call attention to claim alleged rights, making mass public demonstrations, mainly on the day they have chosen as "International Day of LGTBIQ+ Pride "(Party that has its origin in the Stonnewall riots, occurred on June 28, 1969, in New York, United States, which marked the beginning of the homosexual liberation movement, what consisted of a series of spontaneous and violent demonstrations in protest against a police raid that took place in the early hours of the aforementioned day in the pub known as Stonewall Inn), although they have already converted it into a week, with the aim of having all the media echo their cause, opening television news and occupying front pages in the newspapers, they should take special care and worry about the image they convey. The obscenities that they show in their parades, masses that star in shows full of grotesque and hurtful scenes for the sensibility of many people, flagrantly attacking Christian principles and dogmas, particularly Catholics (never against Islan, curiously), they do not give an exact example of the respect they ask of others, nor can they create a favorable state of opinion in those countries, a large majority, in those that are still rejected. As if this were not enough, and to make matters worse, we should add the unconditional support they receive from many Spanish public institutions, mainly municipal corporations, which are contributing to the "splendor" of that "Pride Day" by displaying the multicolored flags that identify gays in official buildings, and even painting street furniture in de same color. A whole series of nonsense, paid for with the taxpayer's money, motivated with the sole objective of winning the favor of the homosexual collective and fishing votes within their organizations. Intolerable and ignominious for people, the majority, who do not agree with the background and form with which the LGTBIQ+ manifests itself. Seen which, and although I have not had or have any kind of phobia towards homosexuals, I begin to consider that, if this is the answer to the compression, tolerance and respect that society has given them, it will be better to do an exercise of apocatastasis returning them to the closet where they have come from, at least for those who lead these impudent public acts with such blatant insolence.

According to the gay community, which says it is concerned about the expansion of homophobia in the world, homosexuality is not a problem, but homophobia yes: it is discrimination. You can agree with the first, but you have to put nuances to the second: In all the orders of life you can have supporters and detractors, I think this, as well as understandable, is normal and indisputable. It is obvious that the feelings of sympathy or rejection towards others are not something preconceived, prejudices that are born with the individual, nor occur spontaneously at any particular stage of life. They are created and strengthened throughout our existence while our particular character is being formed and we establish the criteria with which we analyze and judge what we see and the information we receive. Filias and phobias, therefore, when it comes to people, have a lot to do with the way they behave, that is, with their behavior and the image they transmit to us. For that reason, when a homosexual speaks of homophobia, before making that categorical assertion he would have to analyze which part of that homophobia is hinself guilty.

In summary, and always under my particular point of view, I believe that the issue that concerns everything that surrounds homosexuality, both in Spain and in other countries where they are being treated with an excessively tolerant favor, with concessions that they should never have been produced, and for lack of common sense of the beneficiaries themselves who have not known how to value or assimilate, in their just measure and with the moderation that would be expected, everything that has been granted, is producing an authentic desmadre that, in spite of the undesirable situation, it will not be easy to stop and increasingly difficult to redirect. In the long run, and in spite of everything, the most prejudiced will be the gay movements themselves, which, not becoming worthy of the trust they have been depositaries of, will increasingly lose support wherever they have had them while they load with arguments to others for to continue to be persecuted in all countries where they are currently not tolerated. In this regard, it should be remembered that, despite the progress made in recent decades, there are still 72 states in which sexual relations between people of the same sex are criminalized. The punishments that are applied for homosexual manifestations go from receiving lashes or stoning in public squares, to sentences of several years of prison, reaching, in extreme cases, the application of capital punishment. Among the countries where homosexuality is currently punishable by death are Iran, Sudan, Yemen, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Mauritania. By elementary principles, at this point, in a supposedly civilized world, can not justify or accept such drastic measures against people who have been born and live with a sexual orientation in dissonance with the natural laws of the species, which, moreover, they have not had the opportunity to choose, nor can they to change. No doubt we have to be against it and manifest it clearly; but, at the same time, we also have to demand more prudent behavior, with more tact and moderation. Surely this would benefit everyone, primarily the homosexual group. Resorting to shamelessness, brazenness and vulgarity will not be respected anymore, nor will it lead you anywhere.

Every year, this type of movement, with the tolerance of the authorities, is more transgressive, reaching situations as obscene as intolerable. As an example, below is a link to a video calling for a free abortion (Procession in the Lavapies neighborhood - Madrid, April 13, 2014)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsZnXOBcw2k

OBSERVATIONS:

It should be noted that the scenes displayed in these two publications can hurt the sensitivity of some people; even so, I think it is appropriate to include them as a sign of the degree of indecency in which this group has fallen in a line of decline from which the limit cannot yet be seen.



Oviedo, July 07, 2019 (Revised and updated on july 12, 2022)
C. Díaz Fdez.

P.S.
Although I have read a lot on the subject of homosexuality, I have been particularly impressed by a letter written by a priest in which, using an assumed name of a deceased homosexual, focuses the cause and cure of this "problem" from viewpoint strictly religious  that I think interesting to include as an annex to this article. I must confess that, although I have more and more doubts about the existence of God and the certainty that, from a supposed existence, does not intervene in our life nor in our world, I have always respected, and respect, any opinion on this delicate matter, be shared, or not, with mine. In any case, both in this issue and in others in which religious interpretations may fit, I will always opt for the path that emanates from scientific and technical investigations.


Anexo: Lo que se cita / Annex: What is cited

Homosexuality: Its cause and cure

The woman on the phone pleaded with me to do her brother’s funeral, “Pastor Brown, even though my brother Juan* did not live in El Paso, he loved your ministry. He listened to your tapes, read your books, and absolutely loved the way you preached the Word. He knew his funeral was going to be in El Paso, so before he died, he told me that he did not want anyone but you, Pastor Brown, to perform the funeral. So please, could you do it?” Her pleadings touched my heart, so I agreed.
At the funeral I gave my usual sermon on heaven, and afterward, opened up the podium for the family and friends to share their memories of the deceased. A very thin, frail looking man, about the age of Juan, came forward to share. He mentioned that Juan always preached about Jesus and the need to be born again. At first, he did not want to get saved, but through Juan's constant encouragement eventually he gave his heart to Christ. Then the man shocked me. He mentioned that he and Juan were partners and had lived together in the same house for twenty years.
My eyebrows lifted. As I panned the room, I had noticed several men about Juan’s age by themselves, and as different people came forward, there was no mentioned of Juan’s orientation, only how much Juan loved the Lord, but it was clear that Juan was also gay.
I bring this story up because this article is written for the Juans of the church. It is my goal in this article to reach out to you who may be struggling with gay feelings and perhaps has even acted on them, yet you are not looking to justify the sin or to be gullible by allowing gay activists to rewrite the Bible to rationalize the behavior. You already know the Bible disapproves of this lifestyle, yet, despite your desire to change, you can’t seem to transform yourself to the holy standard of the Bible.
This article will help you to understand how you got to where you are, and thus, how you can rid yourself of those feelings. I have ministered to people who are hurting, just like you; they want to be more like Jesus, but struggle to overcome. Listen, I know your pain and let me offer a helping hand. Let me show you how you can find total freedom in Christ.

Are homosexuals born or made?

This is an old argument. If homosexuals are born that way, then there is no way for them to change. It would be like asking someone born left-handed to try to use their right hand in writing. It is just the way a person is born. He can’t help it.
The gay militants are trying to persuade society that homosexuals are born that way, and so to expect change is unreasonable, and quite impossible. So they have searched and searched to try to find a gay gene, but to no avail. I can assure them that they will never find one, because if there was one, then homosexuality would be decreasing, because homosexuals would not procreate as often as heterosexuals, and thus, would not be passing down the gene.
However, it seems that homosexuality is on the rise, not declining. Of course, since society has not been keeping tabs on the percentage of homosexuals until recently, we have no way of knowing for sure. I think there is evidence that it is increasing due to the fact that there is a growing group of people calling for gay rights. Society usually responds only when a group is growing, not declining; so for gay rights to be emerging in many nations it is likely that the numbers of homosexuals is also growing. This of course does not bode well for those claiming that homosexuality is something one is born with, if so, why the apparent increase?
All the evidence I have seen shows that homosexuality is actually an emotional, psychological disorder brought on early in childhood. I do not believe people chose those feelings, because who in their right mind would choose it, and thus be scorned by society. I do not believe homosexuals initially choose their orientation, anymore than a heterosexual chooses it.
An exception to this is people who practice homosexuality out of convenience. These would include prisoners, students in “women only” and “men only” schools, and men who find far more men willing to have sex than women. A member confided in me and told me how he has engaged in several homosexual encounters, yet, he prefers women. So I asked him why he does it. He simply said, “It’s easier to find men willing to do it than women.” He went onto explain that there are many men who are heterosexual that frequents gay places, because they know they will get sex.
So I am very much aware of those who practice homosexuality out of choice, but I am writing to those who “feel” the desire to be with people of the same gender. If it was their choice, they would choose normal heterosexual feelings.
I’m totally heterosexual, and I have been one since I could remember. By early adolescence girls were always attractive to me, and to think of guys in a sexual way seems quite disgusting to me. However, I never chose those feelings. They were simply a typical psychological response to a normal childhood.
Yet, not everyone has had a normal, healthy childhood. When dramatic events happen to children, it can affect their psyches.  Who will admit that certain vivid experiences have affected them to this day?
I remember going trick-or-treating at Halloween one night. My sister and best friend went to a house that had the back porch light on, so we assumed that the back door was open for trick-or-treaters. I will never forget this moment, but when we opened the gate to knock on the door; these ferocious dogs came out of nowhere and began barking. Quickly we leaped over the fence to avoid them, but my best friend did not make it. One of the dogs took a huge chuck out his calf. He started screaming as we ran toward the street. There I saw blood gushing from this leg. He had to have over a hundred stitches.
This event haunted me for years. I struggled with the fear of dogs for quite some time. Eventually I won the battle, but even to this day, there is a tinge of apprehension when I hear a big, dog bark.
I bring this story up to show how extraordinary events can scar us psychologically, and I’m sure you are thinking of some areas in your life that to this day still affects you. This is true concerning homosexuality.

The Cause

Same gender feelings are a psychological illness caused by three powerful and tragic events in a child’s life. Someone may be offended that I would use the term “illness” to describe homosexuality, but this term is meant to show the “helpless” of the injured party, not to stigmatize him. If someone is sick, we do not blame him, but rather, we look to find out the cause of the sickness so we could apply the cure. Now, if someone denies being sick—such as alcoholics—then there is little anyone can do to help him. I think the beginning step for homosexuals is to admit their illness, not to cover it up, pretend they are not sick and, worse, flaunt their disorder.
The American Psychiatric Association once considered homosexuality a mental disorder until 1973, but changed their view after being pressured by gay lobbyists; they claim to have come to their conclusion by consulting with professionals and experts in the field but it is clear that some of the “experts” were no doubt practicing homosexuals that convinced the APA (Américan Psychological Association) to remove homosexuality from the list of mental disorders. The association has done a disservice to this hurting community. As a result of their desire to be politically correct, they now have been partially responsible for the outbreak of diseases, like AIDS (a disease in which there is a severe loss of the body's cellular immunity, greatly lowering the resistance to infection and malignancy), that have taken the lives of so many capable, young people.
The causes of homosexuality have not been a mystery. The three unfortunate, major events in a child’s life that can cause homosexual orientation are:

1).- Sexually abused by an older person of the same gender.

Let’s face an obvious fact: The most child molesters were themselves victims of child molestation. When a child is molested by an adult figure, it can greatly injure the psyche. Many who are molested never become molesters, but often, they find a strange attraction to older people of the same gender. This tragic event often causes some distortion in a person’s mind. They begin to associate sexual behavior with their experience, instead of realizing the truth that they would not have been attracted by the same gender if they had not been victims of sexual abuse.

2).- Neglected by the parent of the same gender.

We often hear stories of male homosexuals who are attracted to older male homosexuals, and it is no coincidence that they are longing for the love of their fathers. Everyone needs to know they are loved by their parents. For example, a girl who does not feel loved by her father will often be attracted to father figures. It will also happen with sons, who need the love of their fathers. If they do not feel it, they will sometimes turn to older male figures. They simply want genuine love, but often instead of experiencing healthy love, they will encounter sexual love, and so they will begin to associate sexual love for genuine love. It is not real, but that is all the love they know. 

3).- Feeling out of place with peers of the same gender.

It is essential that every child feels accepted by the same gender. If a boy grows up but feels out of place with his peers, he will find himself becoming nervous around the boys. He will interpret those feelings of anxiety as sensual, because the feelings of first time sex are associated with tension. Well, a boy who does not fit in with the boys, will feel that same nervousness around them, and will associate those same feelings with sex.

The Cure

If you are struggling with same sex feelings, be honest with your life: one of these tragic events, or something similar, has caused these feelings in your soul—maybe even more than one of these incidents. Don’t discount the cause of your homosexual feelings. To do so will only postpone or completely cancel the healing you need.
It is important to understand the “cause” of your gay feelings, because by discovering the truth, and opening yourself to the truth, you can experience the healing that Christ could give. Jesus works with truth, but to deny the truth or discount the importance of the truth will keep the Lord from healing you.
People that want to hide the real cause are actually giving power to the perpetrators. To accept their gay feelings, only gives power to those who hurt them.
On the other hand, to receive healing will give themselves power over those who hurt them. There is a great feeling of strength when one overcomes any psychological weakness caused by others. There is no authority in one’s life if he succumbs to the emotional pains brought on by the bad behavior of others. In other words, a homosexual who works at overcoming his same-gender feelings is actually working against those who have wounded him. That is power!
Someone at this point may say, “Well, even if the causes you mentioned are true, the psyche is so damaged that it is pointless to encourage the change. The person will only be disappointed when he doesn’t change, and he will feel more rejection.”
Ah, so the argument is to let a person remain psychologically ill. I don’t see how that is real love. Love looks to heal. My ministry is built on healing the whole man, and I am sure the Lord can heal the psyche of homosexuals.  People will challenge me to leave the homosexuals alone and let them be—but I can’t let people remain sick, if I know the cure.
The real trouble with those in the medical field is doubt. They do not believe in the supernatural power of God. They are left with their own abilities, and they find that they are not capable to bring change to the homosexual. What I find troubling with the professionals is their criticism toward the healing ministry of the church. They criticize the church for believing in the divine power of God to heal and change.
If these so called experts were in Palestine during the early church period, they would have censured Paul when he wrote: “Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Cor 6:9-11).
Notice Paul said that some of the converts were once “homosexual offenders.” Then he said, “That is what some of you were.” They had changed. They were not homosexuals anymore; God had touched them, and His touch healed them. Paul mentions three things that made the transformation!

1).-They were washed.

We were all dirty in some way when we came to Christ. No one is without sin. We all needed cleansing from our filth, whether we were adulterers, thieves or homosexuals. The washing comes through two ways: the new birth and the washing of water of the Word.
Something miraculous takes place when we are born again. Human words cannot explain all that happens. I have heard numerous testimonies from people who struggled with homosexual feelings, who were miraculously changed when they got saved. Let’s face the fact: without the new birth, the homosexual will unlikely change. They must be born again. God cleanses the sinner of his filth and makes him new.
Concerning the new birth, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit” (John 3:5). There are two aspect of the new birth: first, the invisible power of the Spirit, second, the visible water of baptism. When a person sincerely calls on the Lord for salvation, the Spirit performs a numinous work in the heart of the individual. The person must also get baptized in water.
At this point, someone might say, “But Pastor, I still have those homosexual tendencies, so how can I be baptized unless God changes me? I will feel like a hypocrite if I get baptized.”
The point Paul brings out is that a person was changed by being “washed.” It is through the baptism itself that God can perform a special work. The work is cleansing. Let the Lord cleanse you from your sins. A person who waits to be baptized after he feels clean has it in reverse. You don’t wait until you feel clean to take a bath; you take a bath to become clean. The same is true of baptism, you do not wait to feel clean and totally changed to get baptized; you let the water baptism cleanse you. God will use that simple act of baptism to bring a miraculous change in you.
You might say, “You mean pastor, if someone came to you who still struggled with homosexual feelings, you would still baptize him?” Of course I would, that is what salvation is about. I don’t wait for someone to first change before bringing them to Christ; I bring them to Christ so He can change them.
The other way we get cleansed is through the Word of God. Jesus said, “You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you” (John 15:3). The Word of God is all powerful. Man’s words have limited power, they can’t accomplish the impossible, but God can. When he speaks into the soul of man, a miracle takes place. As the homosexual takes into his heart the message of Christ, a phenomenon occurs, he finds that he is pruned like a bush. The pruning may hurt at first, but then he finds that he becomes more fruitful for Christ. This process is gradual as the next point brings out.

2).- They were sanctified.

The word sanctified means to be separate from the world in order to be brought near to Christ. This is an ongoing process. None of us can say after we were born again that we are completely the way we should be. We are changing to be more like the Lord, but none of us have arrived.
Do not be discouraged if you do not find an immediate, total change when you become born again. But as you allow the Word, the Spirit, the blood, and the ordinances and sacraments of the Church to work in you, you will find the influence of the world will have less power over your life. It won’t happen if you stay away from the church.
Homosexuals, because of the deepness of their hurt, may need to be healed of their past. If that is you, you need to open yourself to someone skilled and knowledgeable in the Word. Confess your weakness. Tell your struggle to them. You will be able to receive deep, personal ministry by a loving minister who will show you supernaturally how the abuse, neglect, or rejection brought you the same-sex feelings you have, and through forgiveness and through forgiving others—the abuser, the neglected father, or teasing peers—you can release the pain. There is no healing without forgiving those who wronged you.
It may be the hardest thing to do, but you must forgive the man who abused you as a child. The man might be a relative or even a religious leader, but you must release the person and totally forgive him. As you forgive that person, you release yourself from the power they have had over your life.
You may need to forgive a negligent father. He may have abandoned you. He may not have been there when you needed him, but you must still forgive. Without forgiveness you put yourself in a prison, and that prison may be homosexual feelings.
The boys at school who teased you, who called you a queer, yes, you must forgive them too. The girls that called you a tomboy, yes, you must forgive them too. I know it’s hard, but you are only allowing them to have power over your life if you do not forgive.
As you forgive, you may experience a battle. This battle is a sign that demons took advantage of you when you were young and came to oppress your life. As you forgive, you will find yourself being released from the demons. They will come out of you.

3).- They were justified.

The word justified means to be totally forgiven and made right with God as though you had never sinned. Often, someone struggling with deep-embedded sins will find difficulty receiving forgiveness. But you must!
Don’t allow any disorder to convince you that God has not forgiven you. For sure, do not practice the gay lifestyle, for that will only hamper your complete sanctification and healing, and worse, bring needless judgment on you.
Paul mentions this judgment in 1 Corinthians 11:29-30, “For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.” I am convinced that many believers that have rebelled against the work of sanctification have brought judgment on themselves. Paul describes this judgment as sickness and premature death.
Many homosexual Christians have become ill, and a number have died early, because they refused to judge themselves. This act of judgment was so they could be saved. Paul goes on to write, “When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world” (1 Cor 11:32). So even though we may regret seeing a beloved believer die early, it was for his good, so he would not be condemned with the world.
This act is a sign of love. Despite the actions, God loves the person so much He will do anything to make sure they will never be separated from Him for all of eternity.
God forgives you even though you have failed him. If you believe the lie that God has stopped loving you because you have failed him, then the devil will take advantage of you and bring you back into the sinful lifestyle. Believe in God’s love for you! That love is a transforming love.

The Need for Love

Ultimately what every person needs, including the homosexual, in order to change is love. The cure for homosexuality is rather simple—it is love—genuine love.
Jesus healed Mary Magdalene, a known prostitute, by showing His genuine love. He forgave her before she showed any proof of repentance. She was changed and transformed by the love of Christ. She immediately lost any desire to sleep with men when she experienced the unadulterated love of God.
Every homosexual needs to experience the real, unconditional love of God. This is the beginning of healing. For some people, this alone brings the cure. They lose the strong feelings of same-sex love. Others may still struggle with it, but as they open themselves more to God’s love, those feelings will dissipate.
Finally, you must fill the need for love with the genuine love from brothers and sisters in the Lord. If you are looking for an older male figure, look no further than your pastor. Let him mentor you. This is what you want! You know it is what you need!
Will those feelings leave? Yes, but for some people not totally, at least not right away.  Just like I still feel an initial tinge of fear when a dog barks, you may still feel some hint of same gender feelings, but they will not move you. You will start to also feel sexual attraction for the opposite gender. Your feelings will begin to normalize so you can walk with the Lord without hindrance.
For instance fear of dogs does not keep me from taking a walk in my neighborhood. I hear the dogs barking, but the emotional scar is healed. I am not crippled anymore by the incident of my childhood. The same will be with you who have struggled with same gender feelings. Your scar will be healed. You will not let the past cripple your walk with God. You will find yourself rejoicing as you experience the liberty that Christ has given you.
The Word of God will cleanse your mind from any negative and ungodly feelings. So it is essential to continue to abide in the Word, and at times, you will have the Lord take a portion of His Word and heal more remaining scars.
Remember, the route of holiness is a road. "And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not journey on it; it will be for those who walk in that Way; wicked fools will not go about on it" (Isa 35:8). Driving down a road is a process. Do not be discouraged that you have not arrived yet.
Holiness is like driving on the highway. It is dangerous, there is a risk, but the truly clean people will take that road. But the wicked fools, those who pretend to be right, will not even try to walk on this road. I encourage you walk the way of Holiness.
God promises "No lion will be there, nor will any ferocious beast get up on it; they will not be found there. But only the redeemed will walk there" (v. 9). God will protect you from temptation. You will find the devil will not be strong enough to drag you from the road. In the end, "They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away" (v. 10). You will rejoice in your complete victory! Eventually, the harmful feelings of homosexuality will flee away.

* Juan was not his real name.