Homosexuality: Opposing Viewpoints

Opposing Viewpoints Series

by Auriana Ojeda (Editor)

Authors in this anthology debate what causes homosexuality, whether society should encourage acceptance of homosexuality, whether homosexuals can change their sexual orientation, and whether society should legally sanction gay relationships.

Genres: LGBT, Nonfiction

160 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2003

Reviews

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Opposing Viewpoints is an interesting concept to me, which may or may not be as new to others. I picked this book up at the library while my Philosophy class has been discussing homosexuality, and would like to find several of OV's other "hot topics" if I can find them floating around somewhere.

It's so important to know both sides of a subject of argument before you can have your own opinion. Coming from Smallville, America, I am continuously frustrated and disappointed in the people from my neck of the woods who have really never formed a good, solid opinion ON THEIR OWN. Opinions, morals, judgments, stereotypes - these are all handed down like heirlooms in (albeit, uneducated) families. I, myself, have been in heterosexual and homosexual relationships, and I know how it feels to be from the dreaded "other side" of the argument. I have lost friendships and had family members turn on me because, well, "the Bible says so."

OV presented both sides of the arguments, and lets you decide for yourself. While these essays aren't necessarily philosophical in nature and do not solve the debate at hand, it's important if you are unfamiliar with either side of an argument, to be able to get your feet wet somewhere.

[Christy Stewart · Rating 3 out of 5]

I disagreed with a lot of the book, but then again, that's the point of the book.

[Rosie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was interesting. There's a full range of opinions in this book, and being able to read all the different ones was edifying, though none of the pieces were long enough or systematic enough with their statistics to make me trust their conclusions without further research. We've definitely moved past most of the controversies/debates in this book, in 2025 - I wonder what an "opposing viewpoints" on homosexuality today would look like. Or, better yet: one on "transgenderism". But I doubt we're in a political climate where even the Opposing Viewpoints series would feel fully safe publishing such a book...