This thesis addresses two fundamental questions: What is the meaning given to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)? Where does the meaning of AIDS come from? In a psychological investigation it appears that the most predominant meaning given to AIDS is homophobic meaning, expressing a profound fear and dread of homosexuality. Homophobia can be traced to two main historical sources. Both of these sources are located within Christian tradition: the Sodom story (Genesis XIX), and discourse on human sexuality originating in the New Testament writing of Paul. These two sources can be shown to influence many attitudes that are expressed in this society towards homosexuality generally and towards the AIDS epidemic in particular. Homophobic attitudes situated in the context of western society seem to exist in close proximity with prevalent Christian definitions of homosexuality. Much of the meaning given to homosexuality within Christian tradition can be followed as it influences moral systems, psychiatry and homosexual experience itself. The understanding of homosexuality which develops in much Christian tradition seems to provide a central point of reference for the ways homosexuality is perceived and experienced. A psychodynamic model also ascertains that homophobia is partially structured in the unconscious as a form of prohibition against homosexual desire. By taking both conscious and unconscious aspects of homophobia into consideration, the meaning of AIDS and some of the sources of this meaning can be put forward. The meanings which predicate the AIDS epidemic are religious and psychological in nature. By taking homophobia apart with the tools of psychological deconstruction, the meaning of AIDS may be approached, and some of the implications of this meaning for society, for Christian tradition and for the homosexual person may be demonstrated.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:uottawa.ca/oai:ruor.uottawa.ca:10393/7618 |
| Date | January 1991 |
| Creators | Mills, Bruce L. |
| Publisher | University of Ottawa (Canada) |
| Source Sets | Université d’Ottawa |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 240 p. |
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