The first use of the term homosexuality was in a letter between Karl and Maria Kertbeny on May 6th, 1868. Originally, sodomy is a crime that should be punished. However, when the term homosexuality was coined, it was considered a medical issue that required treatment. There are varying ideas relating to whether homosexuality is biological or social construction. Theorist such as biological essentialist, naturalist, and degenerationists all believe that it is an inborn characteristic. Psychogenists on the other hand, believe that it isn’t inborn but rather was psychologically acquired. …show more content…
In the article by Sigmund Freud, it describes the psychogenesis of female homosexuality. Specifically, a case regarding an 18-year-old girl who is homosexual. Psychogenesis cases often focus on males and not females. A girl was given psycho- analytic treatment even though there was no illness to cure or no problem to be fixed. The reading from Henry Minton, discuss the issues regarding empowerment for these homosexual communities and the medicalization of homosexuality. A Committee for the Study of Sex was established with affiliations to the homosexual comity. Examples include Miss Jan Gay who’s an avid activist for homosexual rights. Also, the problem regarding medicalization of homosexuality is stated. An issue of concern is the fact that to publish work relating to the rights of homosexuals, one needs a sponsorship by a doctor. This alone only encourages medicalization of