The Nature of Sexual Orientation John R. Ballew, M.S., L.P.C. Sexual orientation refers to the emotional, romantic, sexual and affectional attraction of an individual to a particular gender. It should be further noted that research in recent years has revealed sexuality as much more complex than most lay persons imagine. Sexual behavior is not always congruent with sexual orientation. Similarly, homosexually-oriented persons may engage in heterosexual acts, marry, become parents. In neither case does the behavior define the person's enduring emotional, affectional and sexual attraction.
Sexual orientation is a modern concept.
It first appeared publicly in two anonymous German pamphlets published in 1869 which opposed extending a Prussian anti-sodomy law to all of the German Confederation. The American Psychiatric Association 1 has, since 1973, regarded sexual orientation as a matter of human variation, not mental illness. The American Psychological Association 2 adopted a similar position in 1975. In both instances, the decisions to declassify homosexuality were based upon research which indicated no differences between heterosexuals and homosexuals in social or emotional problems or in level of functioning. Homosexuality is neither mental illness nor moral depravity.