ex, gender role, and gender identity exhibit a conformity to, and an identity with one of two possibilities: masculinity (being primary) or femininity (being secondary). The extent to which the "abnormal" is integral to the existence of "normal" is another important tool in evaluating categories of sexuality and gender identity. Distinguishing between good and bad, normal and abnormal is a human construct and one that is applied to nearly every facet of our human existence. "Normal" needs to be continuously reaffirmed in order that we may redefine what is "abnormal." We call things "wrong," "unnatural," "bad," "perverse," "strange," "odd," "queer," "abnormal," "immoral," and "deviant" to remind and reinforce that what these words describe is not acceptable behavior. We enforce the boundaries of "normal versus "abnormal" in countless ways. Just walking down the street, we automatically assign a social role to certain types of people based on "what" and "who" we perceive them to be. And the rules can change. These boundaries must continually be reestablished based on the current philosophy of what is acceptable at the time. "The process of change through which certain deviations become labeled as normal or abnormal remains difficult to discern, becoming clear only when historical or social conditions permit…" (Bayer, p. 189). As we shall see, people in positions of power, have the ability to influence "what society permits" and sometimes we construct negative perceptions in our crusade to influence the rest of society. The National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality is a flagship among organizations in constructing particular interpretations that serve their particular group. The title on their brochure, "Taking A Stand: For Those Seeking Freedom From Homosexuality," wouldn't be implying that homosexuality is negative, would it? By promoting negative interpretations of homosexuals, for exa...
