A cult matriarchate and male homosexuality

Bibliographic Data

ID3933907
AuthorsRichard Landes (corresponding author)
Year1940
Volume35
Issue3
Pages386-397
Publication date1940-07-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Abnormal & Social Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0096-851X
PublisherAmerican Psychological Association (APA) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1037/h0061971
OpenAlexW2070698084
LanguageEN
Citations received40

Male homosexuality occurs very widely, but the extent to which it becomes a social problem varies with the attitudes taken towards it. A sharp distinction between the active and the passive homosexual may be made and either one become the object of strong social condemnation, while the other is given a recognized role in society. Among certain American Indian tribes, the passive homosexual has been protected, encouraged to adopt the social and sexual roles of women, sometimes to assume sacred responsibilities, and sometimes allowed to cultivate with social approval the lewd conduct attributed to professional prostitutes. The active homosexual, however, who sought young partners, was an object of contempt. In northern Brazil unusual circumstances encourage certain of the passive homosexuals to forge a new and respected status for themselves, especially in the condomble cults. Worship revolves around some 10 West African gods with all female priesthoods. Men considered normal are debarred from priesthood, whereas homosexual males are admitted. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)

Ancient history · Cult · Homosexuality · Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) · Male Homosexuality · Men who have sex with men · Psychoanalysis · Syphilis · African Sexualities and LGBTQ+ Issues · History · Medicine · Psychology · Sex work and related issues · Social Psychology · Virology