Choice vs. genetics: Does it really matter?
Doesn’t the whole “gee, I was born gay, don’t hate me!” kind of work against, or at least cloud, the purpose of working for gay/lesbian rights?
In the context of the larger issues, it’s really no ones business if one is born gay or simply decides one day that it’s what they want to do. To my mind, it is a classic example of the difference which makes no difference being no difference. I think we all know that people who hate aren’t going to care one way or another. Jimmy Ray Bob and his pals on third shift are not going to suddenly equate their neighbor’s taste for manmeat with their other neighbor’s red hair just because both were born that way…
Not wanting to debate the issue of whether or not sexual preference is genetic or chosen. Just looking for opinions from the gay community on how it affects the overall gay rights issues.
For the record, I’m a heterosexual male, but I try to do what I can to defuse the ticking bombs that are called ignorance and intolerance.
June 9th, 2011 at 11:33 pm
It affects the gay rights issues because lots of people believe that gays choose to be the way they are. As a result, the argument is that gays can change and follow the “norm”. On the other hand, if it can be proven that gays are born that way, then it is a step forward in the rights issue because then the government is truly discriminating against something that can’t be helped.
Veterinary technician for almost 20 years
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June 10th, 2011 at 2:34 am
It shouldn’t matter one way or the other, and you’re right, it probably doesn’t to ignorant people. I imagine it’s probably for self-identity and pride, not for what the straight community thinks.
Veterinary technician for almost 20 years
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June 10th, 2011 at 5:33 am
It doesn’t matter.
Some factors which are genetic are Constitutionally protected — like race or gender. So are factors which are choices — like the Freedom of Religion.
As people are free to choose their religious beliefs, and often change those beliefs FREELY during their lives — it should therefore make no difference if sexual orientation is genetic or a choice.
There are genetic factors and personal choices which are BOTH protected by the Constitution.
Discrimination against gays and lesbians is simply unAmerican and it violates their civil rights.
Veterinary technician for almost 20 years
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June 10th, 2011 at 9:34 am
your neighbour is a cannibal??
Veterinary technician for almost 20 years
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June 10th, 2011 at 1:33 pm
The convoluted answer to this question is kind of partly yes and partly no. People want to believe that there is a gay gene because it’ll erase the idea that somehow they were corrupted into being a homosexual child because of bad parenting or early childhood sexualization or some other such thing. If being gay were a genetic predisposition, a recessive one obviously like red hair as you point out, then people can just throw up their hands and relieve themselves of any potential guilt. Politically it’s also an important card to have because that makes the discrimination against gay people a matter of science, and not social mores.
On the other hand if being gay were something that was a result of nurturing then there is blame to be assigned for “who did this to the child?” This implies that it could be fixed or de-programmed, and we all know how well that goes. Some people say it’s a choice and the overwhelming response from queer people is “who would choose this life?” This is just the way we’ve always been, at least as far as we know.
Personally I think it’s a combination of genetics and learned behavior. But it’s one of those learned behaviors that you just can’t change after a while, like the accent you have when you talk. Psychologically people settle and things are just locked in there.
Veterinary technician for almost 20 years
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June 10th, 2011 at 6:34 pm
I agree 100%. I’m bisexual and I don’t give a sh*t why people are gay. It isn’t important. We shouldn’t have to prove ourselves to get our rights. We shouldn’t have to accept being scientific guinea pigs just to get our scraps of freedom. And we shouldn’t be pouring all out time, money, and energy into proving that we were born this way because it won’t help us. Black people were born black and that didn’t stop slavery, discrimiantion, and racism. Tons of other minorities were born that way and they still face sh*tty treatment. So why are we jumping on that bandwagon?
We need to assert our rights as conscious and equal human beings whose relationships of love and trust, whose jobs, whose housing conditions, are just as equal of protection then that of any straight person.
Veterinary technician for almost 20 years
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June 10th, 2011 at 11:36 pm
That’s an interesting question. I really don’t know. However, it’s not a question of genetics vs. choice. The question is one of genetics vs. environment. People don’t “choose” their sexual orientation; they only “choose” whether to be honest with themselves or to pretend to be something they’re not.
Of course there is the argument that some gay people have “changed” and are no longer gay. If that is their choice, then hopefully they are happy. I’m sure it works for some, but for other gay people (like myself) they know it just wouldn’t work.
Other than that, I don’t know how else to answer.
Veterinary technician for almost 20 years
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June 11th, 2011 at 4:34 am
HA! That’s funny, a hetero that cares about homos….Does your back hurt from having to stoop so low to ask that question or was it just for entertainment purposes only? Gay rights dont exist, and wont exist for a loooong time. ppl may pretend to be accepting to blacks to avoid being sued or politically incorrect but inside they still think they are superior and buy into the stereotypes. Equality doesnt exist. Either overthrow/kill the straight population or hide.
Veterinary technician for almost 20 years
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June 11th, 2011 at 10:34 am
Lilpoindexter…why don’t you leave this section? I’m getting tired of seeing your homophobic comments.
Veterinary technician for almost 20 years
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June 11th, 2011 at 4:34 pm
We each choose who we have sex with. We have preferences but still choose. So really you are asking how much choice we should have.
Veterinary technician for almost 20 years
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June 11th, 2011 at 10:34 pm
I’ve reached the point in my life where i don’t really care HOW I became gay or if I was born this way. WHo cares, I am. I am comfortable with that and I realize if someone isn’t then it’s their problem and no argument in the world from me is going to change that. So i just don’t care. Just for the record, when I was a kid I naturally hated fat red-headed boys.
Veterinary technician for almost 20 years
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