However, these issues often arises in a politicized, hostile context. The result of polarizing opinions has been that most research that might neutrally address many questions about homosexuality has ceased. In contrast to the raging debate about same-sex attraction, there is considerable agreement about other forms of atypical attraction. They fall under the paraphilias . Generally, a paraphilia is a disorder in which an atypical object, ritual, or situation is preferred or necessary for sexual arousal.
Fetishs are almost exclusively the domain of males.
The objects used for arousal are quite varied, although the most common are articles of clothing, such as women's undergarments. A transvestite is one who engages in cross-dressing for sexual gratification, usually in his own home and unknown to others except maybe his wife. A number of theorists have proposed that for these men it is the imagination of being a woman that is erotic. A voyeur is one who achieves sexual arousal through clandestine viewing of others. Indeed, many of these men have intense insecurities about the status with women or have a history of rejection.