Lance Morin
Intro to Sociol (SS 2800 EOL 75)
Issue Analysis Assignment
04/05/2018
I chose to base my review/assignment on the social structure of sexuality in our current
culture. ‘Gay on God’s Campus’ is the name of the article, and it was authored by
Jonathan S. Coley. Mr. Coley is an assistant professor of sociology at Monmouth
College.
The author is answering questions about his book titled ‘Gay on God’s Campus’. In this
book he is analyzing the evolution of homosexuality on campuses that promote a
religious way of life. These campuses upon first look appear to be places where gay
students, and their supporters would stay clear of. After reading this article and
considering this issue further it is now obvious that the evolution of tolerance and
acceptance towards gay people has increased in our society in numerous institutions.
The article also mentions how our society and American culture have opened up
towards homosexuality in ways that were previously believed to never have happened.
I have experienced this change first hand and it seems to have happened so quickly. I
am unsure exactly of when, or how this change occurred. In the article it explains some
reasonings for Christian colleges acceptance of LGBT students and policies. A driving
factor that is mentioned is money. Money can have an impact on our sociological
structure. That this is easy to identify and the article offers evidence that leads you to
believe this reasoning.
Researchers recognize that sexuality continues to be an important and defining societal
position and that the way sexuality is built has a substantial effect on observations,
relations, and outcomes.
When it comes to sexuality, functionalists stress the importance of adaptable sexual
behavior to ensure matrimonial solidity and family stability. Since functionalists identify
the family unit as the most integral component in society, they maintain a strict focus on
it at all times and favor social measures that promote and ensure traditional families.
From a functionalist viewpoint, homosexuality cannot be promoted as an acceptable
substitute for heterosexuality. If this happened, procreation would eventually cease. So,
homosexuality, if occurring chiefly within the population, is dysfunctional to society.
From a conflict theory perspective, sexuality is another area in which power differences
are present and where main groups actively work to help their worldview as well as their
economic interests. We have seen the debate over the legalization of gay marriage
intensify nationwide as an example. Many gay and lesbian activists argue that legal
marriage is a fundamental right that cannot be denied based on sexual orientation and
that, historically, there already exists a precedent for changes to marriage laws. The
1960s legalization of formerly forbidden interracial marriages is one example. Conflict
theory suggests that if heterosexuals and homosexuals struggle over these social and
financial resources, there will be some degree of conflict. Symbolic interactionists focus
on the meanings associated with sexuality and with sexual orientation. They are also
interested in how thoughts of homosexuals often focus almost exclusively on the sex
lives of gays and lesbians; homosexuals, especially men, may be assumed to be
