Many LGB people realize their sexual orientation before they ever have a sexual experience with another person of the same sex. When they do have sexual experiences, they are more likely to have them with someone relatively close to their age and life circumstances. Gay and lesbian people are sick. As of 1973, the American Psychiatric Association determined that homosexuality is neither a mental illness nor a form of sexual deviance. Both the American Psychiatric and the American Psychological Associations support equal rights for lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals.
Homosexual behavior is found in every known culture, as well as in the animal kingdom.
It is difficult to accurately measure the number of gay and lesbian people because of the societal stigma attached to their sexual orientation. Being gay is a choice. The Bible says it s wrong. Many clergy members and religious scholars have rejected these interpretations, realizing that issues of cultural context and translation must be taken into consideration. Many churches openly accept gay and lesbian people in their congregations and perform commitment ceremonies.