Is being Gay a sexual preference?

[Aqualung]

You wouldn't be wasting anybody's time reporting the post. It is the job of the moderators to determine if a post violates forum rules. It would be better than going off-topic in a thread.

Faugh, like I'm going to fall for that again. Last time I reported a moderator's post I got banned. I'll let you play how you want.

 

[standing_alone]

Faugh, like I'm going to fall for that again. Last time I reported a moderator's post I got banned. I'll let you play how you want.

I can see right through what you're trying to do here, Aqua.

You wouldn't get banned for reporting a moderator's post.

Either report the post or drop it. At the least, desist from continuing to make off-topic posts in this thread.

I will not respond to anymore of your posts concerning this.

 

[Aqualung]

I can see right through what you're trying to do here, Aqua.

You wouldn't get banned for reporting a moderator's post.

Either report the post or drop it. At the least, desist from continuing to make off-topic posts in this thread.

I will not respond to anymore of your posts concerning this.

Will do. Now, if only there were a smily between and :biglaugh: I would be able to properly convey my feelings...

 

[fullyveiled muslimah]

I visit that site often and even followed the link given by SA. Have you read the evidences found? I only ask because everything I've read thus far is very vague in connecting the human psyche to the hormones or biological factors. The connection is made because it fits nicely, but I'm personally not impressed. The biological factors are far less of an issue as the APA paints. The failure of hormonal treatments is a good example of how the mind supercedes biology in this case.

I agree with this as well.

What Causes a Person To Have a Particular Sexual Orientation?
There are numerous theories about the origins of a person's sexual orientation; most scientists today agree that sexual orientation is most likely the result of a complex interaction of environmental, cognitive and biological factors. In most people, sexual orientation is shaped at an early age. There is also considerable recent evidence to suggest that biology, including genetic or inborn hormonal factors, play a significant role in a person's sexuality. In summary, it is important to recognize that there are probably many reasons for a person's sexual orientation and the reasons may be different for different people.
Is Sexual Orientation a Choice? No, human beings can not choose to be either gay or straight. Sexual orientation emerges for most people in early adolescence without any prior sexual experience. Although we can choose whether to act on our feelings, psychologists do not consider sexual orientation to be a conscious choice that can be voluntarily changed.

This is a quote from the site standing alone linked to. I am not impressed with the definition. It is vague at best, and not very conclusive at all. In the first question it states that there are many reasons for the outcome of a sexual orientation. Then it says its different for different people. Then the answer to the next question is a straight no. If it is different factors for different people, how can they be totally sure that no one has chosen it?

I think this is where the questions come from for people who are trying to understand the origins of sexuality. Nowhere in the definition and explanation does it say for a fact that homosexuality/heterosexuality is not a choice. I guess that's why some people are non-plussed by the explanations. Perhaps if scientsts and doctors actually were able to say for a fact yea or nay, people would understand it better, thus coming to grips better.

In my eyesight, if a group of people are born a certain way, then all of them must be born that way for it to be true. I've used the analogy before, but all black people are born black. There is no percentage of black people who became that way later. Is it that way with all gblt people? It's really an honest question, so no offense meant.
Side question, who's big idea was it to test that anyway?

 

[Green Gaia]

In my eyesight, if a group of people are born a certain way, then all of them must be born that way for it to be true. I've used the analogy before, but all black people are born black. There is no percentage of black people who became that way later. Is it that way with all gblt people? It's really an honest question, so no offense meant.

I would answer you, but I'm afriad it would be used against us. This is why I hate this question, "why are people gay?" depending on who is asking it, it scares me. If it does come down to genetics, the next step those opposed to homosexuality is to eradicate that gene from the human population. If it comes down to choice, we will be demanded to "choose" to be straight. If it comes down to how we're raised, parents will be told how to raise their children so they won't turn out gay. It's absolutely frightening. There are some who would do anything to rid the world of everyone non-heterosexual.

Why can't we just be?

 

[Jaymes]

Fullyveiled: While a simple "you either are or you aren't" may work with something like skin color, it's far too simplistic for subjects of the mind. Is someone born depressed/inclined to violence/naturally peppy/gay? Do environmental factors play a role? How they're raised? How they internally view things?

There are so many factors that go into this besides "this gene makes you do this". Apples and oranges.

 

[standing_alone]

Why can't we just be?

Exactly!

I'm so sick of the stuff people opposed to homosexuality come up with. Any little part of my history is scrutinized to determine if that's what "made me gay." I've had people insensitively claim because I was sexaully abused that's why I'm gay. Way to use one of the most traumatic experiences in my life to try to keep me down.

I'm a lesbian. I didn't choose to be, but I accept it. Deal with it.

 

[Green Gaia]

If it is different factors for different people, how can they be totally sure that no one has chosen it?

Of course some people choose it, just like some gay people choose to be "straight". True sexual orientation goes beyond just who you have sex with. I could have sex with 100 men, will that make me any less queer? Nope.

I can tell you my story and you can believe me, or call me a liar because it doesn't fit with your beliefs, either way it doesn't change the facts or how I feel or what I believe.

 

[fullyveiled muslimah]

I'm so sick of the stuff people opposed to homosexuality come up with.

Sorry sorry sorry. I wasn't trying to come up with anything except a question. I will bow out gracefully now.

Thanks green for your answer, it was well appreciated.

 

[standing_alone]

Sorry sorry sorry. I wasn't trying to come up with anything except a question. I will bow out gracefully now.

Thanks green for your answer, it was well appreciated.

No no no! I didn't mean to direct that at you. Sorry.

I was just using Green Gaia's response to you as a springing point.

 

[Green Gaia]

Exactly!

I'm so sick of the stuff people opposed to homosexuality come up with. Any little part of my history is scrutinized to determine if that's what "made me gay." I've had people insensitively claim because I was sexaully abused that's why I'm gay. Way to use one of the most traumatic experiences in my life to try to keep me down.

I'm a lesbian. I didn't choose to be, but I accept it. Deal with it.

Oh yeah I've heard some crazy stuff... strong women cause their sons to be gay, dad playing sports with his daughter makes her gay, dad not being around will cause both boys and girls to be gay, letting your son cry when he is a kid will make him gay.... on and on. It's just ridiculous!

What made me gay? Oh well, maybe it was the time I feel down and skinned my knee. I don't need to know why, I'm beyond that, I wish everyone else was too.

 

[Jaymes]

I'm so sick of the stuff people opposed to homosexuality come up with. Any little part of my history is scrutinized to determine if that's what "made me gay." I've had people insensitively claim because I was sexaully abused that's why I'm gay. Way to use one of the most traumatic experiences in my life to try to keep me down.

In a way, I can understand it. Reading up on theories on the factors that go into transsexuality helped me cope with it. That's just how I cope with any kind of mental thing, though; I read up a ton on it. I did the same when I was having anxiety and depression issues.

/rabbit trail

 

[Green Gaia]

*OK, frustration out now*

I think the best way we can answer the question is with humor and wit. Remind people we are no different from them, except for just that one, little thing. Most of them don't know why they have the sexual orientation they do, so I don't know why they expect us to know and then hold it over our heads when they don't have anymore clue about it than we do. Remember, "sexual orientations" includes straight people! :rainbow1:

 

[lilithu]

The missionary position is a sexual preference. Being gay is a sexual orientation.

 

[Sunstone]

Exactly!

I'm so sick of the stuff people opposed to homosexuality come up with. Any little part of my history is scrutinized to determine if that's what "made me gay." I've had people insensitively claim because I was sexaully abused that's why I'm gay. Way to use one of the most traumatic experiences in my life to try to keep me down.

I'm a lesbian. I didn't choose to be, but I accept it. Deal with it.

I used to be gay until I shook the manly hand of James Dobson at a reception for Ted Haggard here in Colorado Springs, Alyssa. James looked deeply into my eyes and said, "Go and be gay no more!" Instantly I no longer had any desire to prostitute myself to him or Ted!!! It was a miracle!!! A miracle!!!

 

[standing_alone]

I used to be gay until I shook the manly hand of James Dobson at a reception for Ted Haggard here in Colorado Springs, Alyssa. James looked deeply into my eyes and said, "Go and be gay no more!" Instantly I no longer had any desire to prostitute myself to him or Ted!!! It was a miracle!!! A miracle!!!

You.... mean.... you've.... touched the Godly hand of James Dobson?!

*girly scream of jealousy*

Do you think such a handshake would work for me?

 

[lunamoth]

You.... mean.... you've.... touched the Godly hand of James Dobson?!

*girly scream of jealousy*

Do you think such a handshake would work for me?

I think you need to shake the manly hand of Ann Coulter.

 

[standing_alone]

I think you need to shake the manly hand of Ann Coulter.

Oh yeah, I could see where that would shock me straight.

 

[Sunstone]

Oh yeah, I could see where that would shock me straight.

Yes, but the side effect is you loose 20 points off your IQ. It's true! It's why all her friends and allies are so dumb.

 

[lilithu]

In my eyesight, if a group of people are born a certain way, then all of them must be born that way for it to be true. I've used the analogy before, but all black people are born black.

Umm....I realize that this is a controversial issue in the black community, but still I'm sure you are aware of people who claim it's more complicated than that. What about people who identify as half-black/half-white? What about blacks who look so white that they "pass"? In that case, why is it that they are still considered black and not white?

By which I mean to say, even for race it's more complicated than "black and white." (Pardon the pun. )

There is no percentage of black people who became that way later.

Sexual orientation is not something that can be identified at birth. And too often kids are socialized to believe that being straight is the way to be, which can confuse their perceptions of themselves. Plus, sexual orientation is a continuum, not a binary. That doesn't mean that it's a choice, tho. Not anymore so than being of mixed-raced is a choice.

As an asside, when I was growing up, the rainbow was a symbol of racial diversity and harmony. (And for Jesse, it still is. ) Somewhere along the line it became a symbol of diversity and harmony for sexual orientation. I'm not quite sure how that happened but I think it's cool that there's another thing in common.