Unnatural v. Abnormal

Question: When people argue that homosexuality is unnatural, do they mean something different?


There are people who argue that homosexuality is not natural. If something is unnatural, then it is contrary to the laws of nature. Nothing which can be done in this universe can ever be unnatural; everything that exists or that can be done in this universe is natural. These people are confusing unnatural with abnormal.


Abnormality is the state of being in a marked category, which is to say, not being a part of the majority. Triangle glasses, for instance, would be abnormal and in the marked category; when we consider glasses, we consider rectangular or circular glasses to be in the unmarked category.


We do not generally meet abnormality with such incredible hostility. Minorities are often oppressed in society, however, after the minority's oppressors have relented, the general population tends to understand that the past was filled with poor choice. This movement for gay rights is essentially akin to the initial movement for the rights of women and of African descent