Homosexuality

July, 2007

The Macquarie Dictionary defines homosexuality as "sexual feeling for a person (or persons) of the same sex."

2. BIBLE REFERENCE

1 Corinthians 6:9-10

 "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders &will inherit the kingdom of God."

3. FACTS

1.Number of homosexuals in Australia

• 1.6% of adult men identified as homosexual and 0.8% of women as lesbian.
• 1.4% of women and 0.9% of men said they were bisexual
The 1948 Kinsey Report inferring that 10% of people are homosexual was unrepresentative.
• 51% of those surveyed were or had been in prison. · 5% of those surveyed were male prostitutes.
• There is a strong link between child sex abuse and homosexuality.

[http://biblegateway.com/bible?version=NIV&passage=The+194]

• Of those who have died from AIDS, more than 80% were homosexually active men.
• Of those who have been diagnosed with AIDS, more than 88% are homosexually active men.
• Of those who have tested positive to the virus, (where exposure category is known), more than 80% are homosexually active men.

• Reinforcing safer sex and condom use;
• Increasing testing and treatment of STIs;
• Improving understanding of the symptoms (or otherwise) of other STIs;
• Addressing stigma and discrimination associated with gay and other homosexually active men s sexual health.
• For more details of Australian Government of Health and Aging action on HIV/AIDS,
  please visit:
  
  http://www.health.gov.au/internet/wcms/publishing.nsf/content/health-pubhlth-strateg-hiv_hepc-hiv-index.htm

• In 1999 the NSW Government introduced The Property (Relationships) Legislation Amendment Act which changed over 20 pieces of NSW legislation. It effectively conferred new rights and responsibilities in such areas as property, inheritance, illness and incapacity, and compensation.
• The Federal government took a decisive step in 2004 by amending the Marriage Act to state that marriage is between a man and a woman. The federal government does not formally recognise homosexual relationships.

• Robert Spitzer conducted lengthy interviews with 200 people who claimed to have changed their sexual orientation. Of these, slightly less than half of both the men and women recalled being "exclusively homosexual  " before the change effort, and 17 percent of the men and 54 percent of the women were "exclusively heterosexual" after.

• According to the NARTH, for those who want to leave homosexual life, change is available to every person struggling with homosexuality. Any motivated person can change. However only a deep abiding faith in God is strong enough to produce the motivation to make a decisive decision that will hold up through times of temptation and ridicule from fellow gays.
  
  
• Don't continue on in your contacts with the gay world. Unless a complete break is made, change will be impeded. The reluctance to break with friends, move from a gay ghetto area, perhaps quit a job and leave behind clothing and all articles connected with the gay lifestyle, prevents change from taking place. The old continues to reinforce itself and the new has no chance of developing.
  
  
• The gay person seeking help is embarking on a long journey, not weeks and months, but years. It largely depends on the willingness to make hard choices and to hold to the initial decision for change. You must not lose sight of your goal.
  
  
• You can also contact any of the organizations listed below, or any others that you or friends and family members know of.

• ·Saltshakers
  http://www.saltshakers.org.au/html/P/9/B/189/
  
  
• Liberty Christian Ministries Inc.
  Providing support, hope and education to Christian men and women who struggle with unwanted same sex attraction.
  
  Also providing support to families, spouses and friends of those who struggle with same sex attraction or who have embraced a homosexual lifestyle.
  http://www.libertychristianministries.org.au/
  
  
• Living Waters Australia
  Offer God s grace, mercy and healing to those who struggle with their sexuality and/or their ability to sustain healthy relationships.
  http://www.livingwaters.org.au/

Rev The Hon. Dr Gordon Moyes, A.C., M.L.C.