The book, Homosexuality and Civilization, is an in-depth look at homosexuality throughout various cultures and countries in history. Early Greece was rife with allusions to same sex encounters, most famous being the Illiad, which used the term paiderastia, meaning boy love; additionally, many works of art, war, and literature contained references to same-sex attractions. Around the same timeframe, not too far away, the authors of Leviticus, a book in the Old Testament of the Bible, would make history calling same-sex affairs an “abomination” and that they should be killed (Crompton, 2003). The most common reasoning for the anti-homosexual mandate in Leviticus is the concern for procreation at the time. Not as austere as Palestine, but not as drastic as Greece, the Romans maintained a position in which they recognized same sex attraction but did not see it as the deepest personal connection between two people.
The Romans did not consider same-sex relationships particularly beneficial or detrimental. When Christianity began to be prevalent, the Gospels of the Bible refrained from mentioning anything about same-sex relationships and various theories as to why include speculation that Jesus himself may have been attracted to males (Crompton, 2003). Garnering ample knowledge of the history of same sex relationships is important to consider in understanding how America developed into the homophobic society we know it as today. Even individuals who are GLB are often ashamed of mannerisms that may out them. GAT looks at society and takes note of important historical events that help shape our communities. Only by learning and understanding the mistakes of the past can people be expected to make progress and GAT can be utilized to help not just GLB individuals but all LGBTQI people.
Crompton (2003) investigates the lack of evidence behind the myth that Rome and Greece somehow failed as societies because same-sex relationships were tolerated and in some cases celebrated. In the medieval world an interesting clash of values and art was produced. Churchmen would write erotic poetry and then call it satire in order to disassociate themselves. Analysis of poetry, art, and literature of Imperial China has shown an openness to sexuality rejected by the Western part of the world. Same sex relationships were accepted and would continue to be for twenty-four centuries. Unlike Greek ideas of noble and manly same-sex relationships, the Chinese saw male and male relationships as delicate and elegant. The longest stretch of tolerance in human history occurred with the Chinese, until Communism replaced earlier values. Although there is no official law prohibiting same-sex relationships, men are arrested under vague charges. Historical attitudes towards homosexuals in Italy, Spain, France, England, and Japan are also discussed by Crompton (2003). World views are extremely important to consider in multicultural counseling. Together with Gay Affirmative Therapy(GAT), Multicultural Counseling (MCT) can be effectively utilized to further develop cohesiveness and growth in the therapeutic relationship. GAT counseling should follow similar guidelines as MCT in reference to cross-cultural sensitivity and awareness. For instance, a gay male from a strict Vietnamese upbringing would have different concerns to work through than a gay male from California. In GAT a clinician is considerate of the multifaceted dimensions of the individual and exploration of one’s place in society. Personally, I take an eclectic view of counseling and incorporate a modality that is best for the person sitting across from me.
