Homosexuality and Science

            I have been recently working a lot on a project for English class in which I am talking about the portrayal of homosexuality in the media, and more specifically, the stereotypes, misconceptions, and discrimination that is associated with this portrayal. Because of this, I thought it would be interesting to learn about homosexuality from a scientific perspective.

            I think it would be fair to say that homosexuality is a topic of strong opinion, for me included. I am very passionate and opinionated in regards to this subject. So many areas of media tell us that homosexuality is wrong and only show a generalized and limited viewpoint of how a gay person is or should be. Because the media is so prominent in society in this day and age, our beliefs can get influenced and even altered to the point where we no longer know how we feel about a subject; instead, we know how people think we should feel about a subject. Most people don’t realize how common homosexuality is, as 10% of the overall population is homosexual. Therefore, any discrimination against homosexual males or females is not just going against gay rights, but it is going against a person’s rights as a human being as well.

There are many reasons for which homosexual people are discriminated against, a large one being religion. There are many literal interpretations of religious writings that seem to make people think that homosexuality is wrong or sinful. Discrimination against an entire group of people, just because they were born a certain way, is not only offensive, but is also completely ridiculous.

I think it is important to take a look at homosexuality from a scientific viewpoint. One of the most common misconceptions about homosexuality is that many people believe homosexuality to be a choice. It has been shown through studies and polls that homosexual people are more likely to be left-handed, to be the youngest of multiple brothers, and to have their hair naturally turn in a clockwise direction. Because of these common traits among gay people, the idea is becoming better accepted that homosexuality has to do with genes and inborn traits, and not with decisions made by the person later in life. In the US, until 2007, a poll showed that the majority of Americans believes homosexuality to be a choice that could be changed. It was only just three years ago that, for the first time, the majority believed homosexuality to be an inborn characteristic. It is shown through scientific research that homosexuality has more to do with genes than does which hand you write with. There is also biological evidence that a percentage of animals show homosexual activity. The American Medical Association, The American Psychiatric Association, The American Psychological Association, The American Psychoanalytical Association, The American Academy of Pediatrics, and the National Association of Social Workers all support that idea that homosexuality is not a mental illness, and is not a personal decision.

No matter how or why, homosexuality IS present in our society, and not accepting this fact is just ignorance, in my opinion. Homosexuality is neither a lifestyle nor a personal choice, it is innate and unchangeable. Here is a fantastic animated video I found from the movie “The Bible Tells Me So” that talks about homosexuality not being a choice: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vbpu6ne5-cQ&feature=related

Ecotourism in Mexico

I just got back from my vacation in Mexico yesterday, so I thought I’d write about the important idea of ecotourism, particularly in Mexico.

Ecotourism is the practice of touring natural habitats in a manner meant to minimize ecological impact. It involves having an organization’s activities increase environmental awareness or help raise money for certain conservation programs. The main goal of ecotourism is to conserve the biological and cultural diversity of the area, and to promote biodiversity from generating money and business opportunities in ecotourism-related systems.

Mexico has developed a great ability to properly regulate its environment, and has created many successful environmental programs; the development and enforcement of these environmental programs in Mexico is expected to improve with the modernization the country’s economy. Because of the many environmental (and non-governmental) organizations that they are a part of, the country is showing itself to be growing rapidly in their environmental awareness. Alltournative is an initiator in ecotourism in the State of Quintana Roo, Mexico, and has founded many sustainable development ecotourist projects that have benefited many aspects of development, including economic, social, and cultural, of the Mayan communities. Alltournative ecotourism projects increase the income of and improve the quality of life of the Mayan communities, while preserving their culture, customs, and natural environment. Some of these Mayan groups are Pac-Chen, Tres-Reyes, Rancho San Felipe, and Katenah.

A specific hotel that is known as a model representative of sustainable tourism in Mexico, is Hacienda Tres Rios Resort. This hotel rose above the environmental regulations, developing and installing ecologically friendly equipment and implementing practices that significantly reduce utility consumption, save energy, and support protection of wildlife and reforesting projects with their involvement in plant and wildlife management programs.

To use a specific example of a preservation technique, it is becoming more and more common that locations in Mexico only allow a certain sun tan lotion to be used in order to protect many elements of the natural environment. This sun tan lotion is biodegradable, breaking down naturally in the environment, and lacking the ingredients that are harmful to the underwater coral reefs. It is the only sun tan lotion permitted in many marine parks in Mexico, including Xel-Ha and Xcaret in the Mayan Riviera, both of which were very nearby the hotel I stayed in, and one of which I have been to previously. Some of the harmful ingredients in sunscreens are PABA, octinoxate, oxybenzone, 4-methylbenzylidene camphor, and butylparaben. These ingredients are known to settle on corals and other marine life, essentially suffocating them. This creates extensive damage to the marine environment and is good reason for implementation of a plan that can stop this from happening before it destroys the world’s coral. 

I think tourism in an ecological manner is extremely important in preserving the beautiful and natural environment of many places around the world. Recently, travelers’ interests in environment preservation has increased environmentally responsible tourism, and the tourism industry in general. I strongly believe in the importance of preserving a culture and its customs, as well as protecting the elements of nature and increasing the public’s awareness of conservation techniques.

Here is a link to a more detailed explanation of the negative effects certain sunscreens have on the environment: http://www.eturbonews.com/1414/tourist-sunscreen-‘killing-coral-reefs’