Day 308: Same-Sex Attraction

The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God's will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition. CCC 2358

In today's reading, the Catechism discusses same-sex attractions, that is, homosexuality. Where it comes from, why it exists, isn't really known. If it is something that one can be "cured" of, this has also not been shown in large enough samples to matter. Yet it does exist and is a trial for a large minority of the populace. Putting aside how distasteful the actual acts are to most people, the acts themselves don't seem very logical but hedonistic. If we operated strictly on those grounds, sex for procreation is the most logical and in keeping with God's command to "be fruitful and multiply" (Gen 1:28). Sex can obviously be very pleasurable too. Yet while homosexual acts are grounded solely on the latter and are closed to the former, I don't understand just why they are "grave acts of depravity" (CCC 2357). If it is true that a number of men and women "have deep-seated homosexual tendencies" (CCC 2358), then wouldn't they be acting within their nature? It is also true that despite calls "that they must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity" and "every unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided," even those who accept celibacy are treated by many in the most unChristlike manner. 

At the same time, what we've seen from the so-called "LGBT community" over the past 20 years at least has given us cause for concern. From bakers sued for not breaking their beliefs, to "Drag Queen Story Hour" for kids in public libraries, to parents having to sue just to opt their kids out of morally objectionable lessons in schools, and much, much worse. It seems the professional class who have these "deep-seated tendencies" will go to any length for the sake of depravity. If we based this solely on what this professional class has wrought, I can understand the harshest of "Sodom & Gomorrah" response (Gen 19:1-28) and why St. Paul abhored it so much (Rom 1:24-27). 

Yet, what of the individual who has these "tendencies"? It seems rather cruel to condemn them to lifelong celibacy when they don't have a vocation for it. Sure, they too are called to chastity as all of us are, but they really have no other option than to be celibate since homosexual acts are strictly prohibited. At the same time, I cannot see how the Church could possibly accept such acts without seriously violating Scripture and Apostolic Tradition.

It's a conundrum and one that I doubt we'll fully understand or resolve it this side of Paradise.