There is also a word referring to same-sex love, homophilia. The term homosocial is now used to describe single-sex contexts that are not specifically sexual. Pejorative terms include queer, faggot, fairy, poof, and homo. Lesbian, however, always denotes female homosexuality. In the course of the twentieth century, homosexuality became a subject of considerable study and debate in Western societies, especially after the modern gay rights movement began in 1969. In cultures under the sway of Abrahamic religions, the law and the church established sodomy as a transgression against divine law, a "crime against nature" practiced by choice, and subject to severe penalties, including capital punishment—often inflicted by means of fire so as to purify the unholy action. Richard von Krafft-Ebing's 1886 book Psychopathia Sexualis elaborated on the concept. Similarly, some recommend completely avoiding usage of homosexual as having a negative and discredited clinical.

Conservatives Gay Rights

McCain's 'secret Anti-Romney Ad'

CBS News - ... and immigration, but he also championed sweeping campaign-finance reform with Russ Feingold that conservatives generally hate, joined with John Edwards to support a Patients' Bill of Rights that conservatives generally hate, voted against an anti-gay ... Read more...

MARRIAGE DIGEST: Despite rulings, 'Gay marriage' debate not over in Md ...

Town Hall - ANNAPOLIS, Md. (BP)--Conservatives in Maryland and Washington state are learning that the battle about "gay marriage" is far from over, despite ... about marriage, we do believe it is possible to increase the rights." Additionally, supporters of "gay ... Read more...

Conservatives Gay Rights

Gay rights, civil rights? - Critics say conservatives use same arguments against both movements
American gay rights activism, the biggest obstacle preventing gays from American men and women are historically conservative on such issues as gun

RealClearPolitics - Articles - Conservatives Are Losing on Gay Rights
.By Steve Chapman attitudes, which are growing more and more favorable to gays and gay rights.Conservatives Are Losing on Gay Rights

Conservative Christians and Gay Civil Rights
Afterward, many conservatives realized they could show compassion in conservative Christians with respect to gay civil rights and acceptance of gays

Betting Against Gay Rights Costs Canada's Conservatives
by local Conservative candidates who stated views on gay marriage and other "Gays and lesbians, women, unmarried heterosexual couples - all would be at risk.

Gay marriage stirs conservatives again - The Boston Globe
Using pulpits, petitions, and political action committees, conservative activists are mobilizing a grass-roots political movement against gay marriage

Independent Gay Forum - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
conservatives and gay rights activists who adopted a monolithic concept of gay liberationist, liberal, and conservative approaches to gay rights in favor of a

washingtonpost.com: Bush Advances Gay Rights
denounced the decision and to religious conservatives who have cheered it. For gays, being singled out in the Constitution would be a monumental and

USATODAY.com - Drives to ban gay adoption heat up in 16 states
.Efforts to ban gays and lesbians from adopting children are emerging in at least underway in at least 16 states, adoption, gay rights and conservative groups say

Conservatives urge P&G boycott over gay rights battle - Sep. 17, 2004
.NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Conservative Christian groups are urging a boycott The law exempts gays and lesbians from special civil rights protection

Falwell speaks in favor of gay civil rights - Conservative leader calls housing, employment for gays basic rights'
Conservative leader calls housing, employment for gays basic rights' By conservatives, "are always arguing against special rights' for gays," Falwell