Myths about sexuality

Myth No. 1

There are very few bisexuals. People are either completely homosexual or heterosexual.

Research suggests that few people are predominantly heterosexual or homosexual in their actions, feelings, thoughts, or sexual fantasies. Most people fall somewhere on the continuum between these two extremes and have the capacity to experience both affection and sexual feelings for members of both sexes.

Myth No. 2

GLBTIQ Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals, Transgenders and Queers are only a small percentage of the population.

Research has also shown that approximately 10 percent of the population is predominantly same sex attracted. Approximately one in every four families has a member who is predominantly same sex attracted .

Myth No. 3

Same sex attracted people can ordinarily be identified by certain mannerisms or characteristics.

The vast majority of same sex attracted people cannot be identified by looks or effeminate/masculine characteristics. The small number of same sex attracted people who behave like this do so because they want to be known as same sex attracted or in rebellion of traditional sex roles. Many straight people appear to be same sex attracted for this last reason. Stereotypes persist due to the way same sex attracted people are portrayed in the media.

Myth No. 4

Going through puberty and developing your sexuality is easy.

No way! Some people have forgotten how difficult and confronting this time can be in your life. It means getting used to a whole new set of feelings and learning about who you are and what it is you like and dislike.

Myth No. 5

Same sex attraction is not “natural”; it does not exist in nature and is therefore dysfunctional.

From a scientific point of view, it is ‘natural’. Any animal, including the human species, is capable of responding to homosexual stimuli. Research suggests that same sex attraction is almost universal among all animals and is frequent among highly developed species. One anthropological study of non-western cultures found that 64 percent of their sample cultures considered same sex attraction ‘normal’ and ‘acceptable’ for certain members of the society.