Difference Between Homosexuals and Heterosexuals

Homosexuals vs Heterosexuals

Traditional social scientists historically acknowledge only two sexes – male and female. The complexity of the human mind along with the ever-fluid nature of one’s sexuality, nonetheless, has resulted in the rise of different genders in society.

Note that sex is different from gender. Sex refers to the chromosomal makeup of humans. XX are classified as females while XY are males. There are, of course, abnormalities which may have given XXY or XXX, but these are only exceptions to the rule.

On the other hand, gender refers to the sexual orientation of individuals with respect to their preferences and influences brought about by the society and their environment. Social scientists and anthropologists alike are still finding it difficult to set the exact number of genders. Up until now, specialists and experts cannot compromise on the matter.

Then again, there are different sexual orientations known to most people which are bisexuals, heterosexuals, and homosexuals. Most people are often confused as to the differences between these three categories, especially homosexuality and heterosexuality.

Heterosexuals are individuals who are considered by the society as “straight.” They follow the norm set by the society for people who stick to their biological sex. Thus, a heterosexual is known to be attracted to the opposite sex.
On the other hand, homosexuals are those who are attracted to individuals of the same sex or gender. They are often called gays and lesbians although these terms may be both discriminatory and derogatory for people with these sexual orientations.

A lot of debate has centered on the distinction between heterosexuals and homosexuals. Those who are inclined on the conservative side of the issue would point out that a homosexual can be said to be gay once they have felt an attraction to someone with the same sex or gender. The feeling of attraction itself is enough to be categorized homosexual.

On the other side of the issue, a number of social scientists have argued that an attraction between individuals with the same gender is natural, especially for females. They have further explained that sexuality is fluid and constantly “moving,” thus, it is inevitable for individuals to feel an attraction or feeling of admiration towards people of their same sex or gender.

These experts then emphasized the possibility that one can only be called homosexual once they have established an intimate relationship with individuals of the same sex orientation or gender preference. Simply put, a man or a woman may still be considered heterosexual despite their attraction to people with the same sexual orientation as theirs. In this light, a homosexual is one who can keep a relationship or have sex with people of their gender.

These arguments are, of course, irreconcilable as the supporting premises of both parties’ defenses are equally strong and striking. Scientists who study the differences on the hypothalamic activity of homosexuals and heterosexuals, nonetheless, may help in arriving at a solid conclusion.
Biologists actually looked into the Interstitial Nuclei of the Anterior Hypothalamus (INAH) of homosexuals and heterosexuals. Traditional hypotheses of the scientists center on the belief that men who prefer women as partners have INAH 2 or 3 larger than those men who prefer to be with men. In essence, heterosexuals have a different structure of the brain than that from homosexuals.

After few years of research, LeVay, a known biologist, has come up with a conclusion that the INAH 3 of heterosexuals are two to three times larger than those of gays. Homosexual men and women, in fact, have the same size of the INAH 3 which may be a good explanation on why gay men behave like women even without being subjected to the influences of society.
Summary:

1.Homosexuality and heterosexuality are both sexual orientation and gender preferences.
2.Homosexuals are attracted to individuals of the same sex or gender; heterosexuals are attracted to the opposite sex
3.The INAH 3 of the heterosexuals’ hypothalamus structure is three times larger than those of homosexuals’.

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