There is no real desire in this thread to discuss the diverse notions of sexuality through history and different cultures. Otherwise we would discover that many things "ain't necessarily so".

Just to avoid me being misunderstood as supporting Pete's position, I may mention that a few lines after the verse mentioned, Leviticus 19:27 tells us "Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard." (New International Version, no "thou"s). After that the book (= 3.Mose) returns to the topic of homosexual activities and pronounces death penalties.

Leviticus is still learned by heart by children (under 12) in Orthodox Jewish schools.

Some theologians insist on a "symbolic" interpretation, but I (not being a theologian) fail to see such a potential in those particular chapters.

The only honest "interpretation" I can imagine is that sex and other human relations should be guided by responsibility. The details must be found out by ethicists, depending on the consciousness of the current society (- not on public opinion). Since the current notion of sexuality differs from those of earlier epochs, the consequences cannot possibly be the same.

Those who think that present-day ethics are the absolute truth at last, should be warned: all other epochs and cultures believed the same about theirs.