by Dan Stannard

Created on: December 03, 2010

Yes. That is the short answer. But as is quite plain to see, it doesn't fill the minimum of a four hundred word quota, so now I will explain my potentially nonchalant, flippant response. 

Homosexuality, Heterosexuality, Bisexuality, Pansexuality, Asexuality, All need to be acknowledged, however, the fact remains that these are just labels. And to understand the concept of social construction, one needs to understand the definitions of Sex, Gender and Sexuality.

The Oxford Dictionary [online] (2010) states the Sex is "either of the two main categories (male and female) into which humans and most other living things are divided on the basis of their reproductive functions". Sociologically, sex is the biological determination of a persons reproductive role. It's genetic. 

The Oxford Dictionary [online] (2010) claims that Gender is "the state of being male or female... typically used with reference to social and cultural differences rather than biological ones". Sociologically speaking, Gender is the ascribed role given to people by stereotyping, socialisation and the idea of social norms. Boys don't cry, Girls play with barbie, and that the opposite is frowned upon because it goes against social norms. Masculinity, and Femininity are social constructions, and don't actually exist. This is an important point, so keep it in mind. 

And finally, The Oxford Dictionary [online] (2010) has this to say on the matter of sexuality: "a person's sexual orientation or preference”. The key word in that sentence is the word 'preference'. This makes the definition of sexuality appear to be a matter of choice, and so the Oxford Dictionary here fails. On a grand scale. Sexuality isn't a choice. There are two main schools of thought here, first, that Sexuality is Biological and Ingrained, or Two, that Sexuality is created by Society. There is another thought, that sexuality is a psychological condition, which can be quantified in such ways as the 'Kinsey Scale'. The Kinsey scale however is a poor attempt to define sexuality, as it is too vague is based on what one believes and considers to be ‘homosexual’ and ‘heterosexual’ behaviour.

The point I am going to make here is the Sexuality is a Social Construction. We decided what constitutes hetero- and homosexual behaviour. We gave it a label. We socially define the norms and values of such groups. And as such, we segregate people by using misinformed stereotypes and assumptions. Through this we must understand that bisexuality also doesn’t exist. Rather, the ability to love another human being regardless of sex or gender does. In the same way, homo-, pan-, hetero- and asexuality doesn’t exist. Let people label themselves how they wish, it causes no harm.

I consider myself gay, but I am a drunken bisexual. When I have one too many Rum and Cokes, I am much more liberal in my affections. I know the same for ‘straight’ people, ‘lesbians’ and ‘asexuals’. Don’t worry about labels, they just constrict the inherent nature of humanity – Our ability to adapt and diversify.

Love the Person, not the Gender.

With Blessings,

This Witch Signs Out. 

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