ABSTRACT
This chapter presents studies of the psychoanalytic conceptualization of male homosexuality. It aims to develop a correlated and much-needed critique of the concept of perversion. The chapter focuses on the way sexual and gender prejudices often rest on confusions between norms and moral values. Language appears to be structured to serve sexual and gender biases. Although Sigmund Freud’s conscious orientation to sexual variation does not seem to be at all condemning or persecutory, he stopped being tirelessly analytic when confronted with men’s nonnormative sexuality. Thus, communicating what is normative perpetuates the moral import and impact of conformity and nonconformity in the realm of sexuality and gender. The “facts” about being a boy imply to the boy that he will be loved, admired, and safe from persecutory responses if he conforms to the norm without question or protest.
