Homosexuality...Again

[scorpia]

Homosexuality is considered as acceptable for many but as it is a form of sexuality I'm a bit confused; as a sexuality how is it seperate from all the other forms of paraphilia's out there? If homosexuality is to be acceptable logically shouldn't they also be acceptable? If homosexuality is okay and people aren't expected to control it then why should anyone with certain paraphilia's be expected to control their own fetishes? Not saying that anyone who's gay is necessarily weak but today they're allowed and all that.

[McCulloch]

I suppose that it all comes down to what you mean by paraphilia. A lot of it comes down to consent, in my view.

paraphilia abnormal sexual activity.

paraphilia - strong periodic sexual fantasies, urges, or behaviours commonly relating to children, non-consenting individuals, objects, sadism, masochism, or voyeurism. Transvestic and other forms of fetishism are paraphiliac disorders.

Definition
The word is used differently by different groups. As used in psychology or sexology, it is simply a neutral umbrella term used to cover a wide variety of atypical sexual interests.

Clinical definition

A paraphilic interest is not normally considered clinically important by clinicians unless it is also causing suffering of some kind, or strongly inhibiting a "normal" sex life (according to the subjective standards of the culture and times).

Lay-public view

Paraphilia is sometimes used by laypeople in a more judgmental or prejudicial sense, to categorize sexual desires or activities lying well outside the societal norm. Many sexual activities now considered harmless or even beneficial by many (such as masturbation) have often been considered perversions or psychosexual disorders in various societies, and how to regard these behaviors has been, and continues at times to be, a controversial matter. (For a contrasting view see: Wisdom of repugnance)

Usage of the term in English

The term "paraphilia" is rarely used in general English, with references to the actual interest concretely being more common. Some see the term as helping to aid objectivity when discussing taboo behaviors or those meeting public disapproval, but which may not in fact be a problem. Some have even interpreted the term pejoratively, seeing paraphilias as "rare conditions or serious disorders" that should either be criminalized or require serious treatment.

[scorpia]

Definition
The word is used differently by different groups. As used in psychology or sexology, it is simply a neutral umbrella term used to cover a wide variety of atypical sexual interests.

Lay-public view

Paraphilia is sometimes used by laypeople in a more judgmental or prejudicial sense, to categorize sexual desires or activities lying well outside the societal norm. Many sexual activities now considered harmless or even beneficial by many (such as masturbation) have often been considered perversions or psychosexual disorders in various societies, and how to regard these behaviors has been, and continues at times to be, a controversial matter. (For a contrasting view see: Wisdom of repugnance)

I meant something more along the lines of these two definitions. Yes, ones without consent cannot be accepted, but what about all the hundreds of other things that don't cause any immediate problems?

[McCulloch]

If homosexuality is to be acceptable logically shouldn't they [other forms of paraphilia] also be acceptable? If homosexuality is okay and people aren't expected to control it then why should anyone with certain paraphilia's be expected to control their own fetishes?[...] Yes, ones without consent cannot be accepted, but what about all the hundreds of other things that don't cause any immediate problems?

Why not? It is a matter of how do you draw the line. If the rules or laws of society are based on protecting people's rights and the general betterment of society, then rules and laws can be objectively determined and fairly applied. If the rules and laws are based on something else; revelation, intuition, yuck factor, majority prejudice, leaders' prudishness, then the rules become subjective and unfair.
Some religions prohibit sex during menstruation. Should that prohibition therefore be universal? I find it distasteful (hemaphobia). The Bible calls it unclean. Yet I do not find any reason to advocate laws against it. I do not want to prevent people who may practice it from getting married or teaching sex-ed.
Try to look at each of the different paraphilias in that light.

[scorpia]

There are those factors, but what about long term factors? How would one know that one isn't bad in the long run?

[McCulloch]

There are those factors, but what about long term factors? How would one know that one isn't bad in the long run?

Tell you what. I would be in favour of some kind of regulation of those kinds of activities which have an objectively proven long term negative effect on society, beginning with those activities which have the greatest demonstrated negative long term effect.