Gay philosophy

For example, in parts of Ionia there were general strictures against same-sex eroswhile in Elis and Boiotia e. In philosophical circles this movement is, in part, represented through a rather diverse group of thinkers who are grouped under the label of queer theory.

With the rise of the gay liberation movement in the post-Stonewall era, overtly gay and lesbian perspectives began to be put forward in politics, philosophy and literary theory. Such persons, however, are generally portrayed as the exception.

Initially these often were overtly linked to feminist analyses of patriarchy (e.g., Rich, ) or other, earlier approaches to theory. Sex between freemen, however, was problematic for status.

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Even though the gender that one was erotically attracted to at any specific time, given the assumption that persons will likely be attracted to persons of both sexes was not important, other issues were salient, such as whether one exercised moderation.

Since the history of cultural understandings of same-sex attraction is relevant to the philosophical issues raised by those understandings, it is necessary to review briefly some of the social history of homosexuality.

The erastes had to show that he had nobler interests in the boy, rather than a purely sexual concern. What follows is a brief description of ancient Greek attitudes, but it is important to recognize that there was regional variation.

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The boy was not to submit too easily, and if pursued by more than one man, was to show discretion and pick the more noble one. Status concerns were also of the highest importance. The following is a list of philosophers who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender.

Furthermore, the issue of what biological sex one is attracted to is seen as an issue of taste or preference, rather than as a moral issue. Dover, ; Halperin, Probably the most frequent assumption about sexual orientation, at least by ancient Greek authors, is that persons can respond erotically to beauty in either sex.

References to natural law still play an important role in contemporary debates about homosexuality in religion, politics, and even courtrooms. Hence the cultural ideal of a same-sex relationship was between an older man, probably in his 20s or 30s, known as the erastesand a boy whose beard had not yet begun to grow, the eromenos or paidika.

In this relationship there was courtship ritual, involving gifts such as a roosterand other norms. Diogenes Laeurtius, for example, wrote of Alcibiades, the Athenian general and politician of the 5 th century B. For example, Alexander the Great and the founder of Stoicism, Zeno of Citium, were known for their exclusive interest in boys and other men.

The central distinction in ancient Greek sexual relations was between taking an active or insertive role, versus a passive or penetrated one. Finally, perhaps the most significant recent social change involving homosexuality is the emergence of the gay liberation movement in the West.

The philosophy role was acceptable only for inferiors, such as women, slaves, or male youths who were not yet citizens. Given that only free men had full status, women and male slaves were not problematic sexual partners. Arising out of this history, at least in the West, gay the idea of natural law and some interpretations of that law as forbidding homosexual sex.

There is a wealth of material from ancient Greece pertinent to issues of sexuality, ranging from dialogues of Plato, such as the Symposiumto plays by Aristophanes, and Greek artwork and vases. These LGBTQ philosophers are excellent influences, regardless of your personal sexuality.

A central issue raised by queer theory, which will be discussed below, is whether homosexuality, and hence also heterosexuality and bisexuality, is socially constructed or purely driven by biological forces.