Is Homosexuality a Paraphilia? the Evidence for and Against
Arch Sex Behav (2012) 41:237–247 DOI 10.1007/s10508-012-9900-3 ORIGINAL PAPER Is Homosexuality a Paraphilia? The Evidence For and Against James M. Cantor Published online: 27 January 2012 Ó The Author(s) 2012. This article is published with open access at Springerlink.com Abstract Whether homosexuality should be described as one because of perceived political implications. Atypical sexual among many paraphilic sexual interests or an altogether dif- interests remain highly stigmatized in Western society, espe- ferent dimension of sexual interest has long been discussed in cially in the United States. Homosexuality, more than any other terms of its political and social implications. The present article atypical sexual interest, has achieved greater social acceptance examined the question instead by comparing the major corre- over time, and advocates for other atypical sexual interests— lates and other features of homosexuality and of the paraphilias, BDSM, cross-dressing, diaperism, etc.—understandably seek including prevalence, sex ratio, onset and course, fraternal birth the same recognition and rights. Thus, thinking of paraphilias as order, physical height, handedness, IQ and cognitive neuro- merely another sexual orientation suggests the conclusion that psychological profile, and neuroanatomy. Although those lit- everyone with an atypical sexual interest should benefit from eratures remain underdeveloped, the existing findings thus far greater tolerance. (Conversely, there exist groups, typically con- suggest that homosexuality has a pattern of correlates largely, servative religious groups, who claim that only mainstream, non- but not entirely, distinct from that identified among the paraphi- paraphilic heterosexuality is acceptable, making any distinctions lias. At least, if homosexuality were deemed a paraphilia,it would among other sexual interests entirely moot.) be relatively unique among them, taxonometrically speaking.
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