Flappy
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Grrr! But not really....
Posts: 577
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Post by Flappy on Dec 19, 2010 17:15:27 GMT -5
Just what the title says. Are people born gay?
I'm looking for opinions and evidence.
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Post by Sean on Dec 19, 2010 18:06:30 GMT -5
No, it is their choice. Probably some mix of environmental.
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Post by Ricky on Dec 19, 2010 19:28:16 GMT -5
No, it is their choice. Probably some mix of environmental. ^ you are joking, right? O.o
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Post by austkyzor on Dec 19, 2010 19:36:21 GMT -5
No, it is their choice. Probably some mix of environmental. You best be trollin'
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Xanast
Star
Just keep staring...
Posts: 598
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Post by Xanast on Dec 19, 2010 19:44:32 GMT -5
Actually, I think some people are, due to hormonal imbalances that give them more estrogen.
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Post by SwimFellow on Dec 20, 2010 1:05:18 GMT -5
It's not a choice. Think about it, with all the crap gay people go through regularly, why wouldn't everyone choose to be straight? Just sayin.
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Post by Freddy on Dec 20, 2010 1:53:08 GMT -5
It's not a choice. Think about it, with all the crap gay people go through regularly, why wouldn't everyone choose to be straight? Just sayin. Exactly. It would be a choice between been accepted and being rejected. A no-brainer if you ask me.
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Post by marypo on Dec 20, 2010 4:52:24 GMT -5
It's not a choice. Think about it, with all the crap gay people go through regularly, why wouldn't everyone choose to be straight? Just sayin. Exactly. It would be a choice between been accepted and being rejected. A no-brainer if you ask me. Yeah because nobody fights the norm when they have a choice, right?
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Post by marypo on Dec 20, 2010 5:07:29 GMT -5
As a foreword: Regardless of it being a choice or otherwise, it should be respected. www.springerlink.com/content/w27453600k586276/The above link is about several studies of the Nature v. Nurture debate regarding homosexuality. I personally believe that it is a combination. Nobody is destined to be homosexual though some are more inclined to follow this way of life. There is a study that I read about, unfortunately I do not know the link, that supports my belief in some ways. Males have a better chance of being homosexual for every older brother they have.
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Flappy
Star
Grrr! But not really....
Posts: 577
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Post by Flappy on Dec 20, 2010 10:56:30 GMT -5
Well, I've talked to a psychologist about the subject, and essentially, they said it is: "A combination of genetic structure and environmental stimulation." [sic] Another unrelated, but related note should be that "the first five years of a person's life are the years when a person learns more than they ever will in their life. They learn to walk, talk, interact, etc." (So I believe, initially, a person's sexuality is not decided in the first five years, but I think the first five years play a big part.)
I believe that a person's sexuality is not innate, but is also not a choice. It's mostly a subconscious interpretation of our environment (I do believe our genes play a part, but I honestly don't think it plays a very big part.)
I also believe that a person's sexuality can and does change. Me being the prime example. I was straight up until I was about 16, when, after a while, I became bisexual, and then recently, I realized I'm actually pansexual. I believe that everything we experience says something about our sexuality even if it's just a tiny minuscule amount. (I'm not saying everyone's sexuality is guarantee'd to change, I'm just saying it's possible. I'm also saying that aspects of your sexuality can change, what you're into and what you look for in a partner.)
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Post by Freddy on Dec 20, 2010 11:35:13 GMT -5
Yeah because nobody fights the norm when they have a choice, right? Of course they do, but it'd be a really small percentage of people. And yeah. They deserve respect.
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Post by SwimFellow on Dec 20, 2010 11:54:56 GMT -5
Yeah because nobody fights the norm when they have a choice, right? Of course they do, but it'd be a really small percentage of people. And yeah. They deserve respect. They definitely do deserve respect. But this isn't an issue about political views or philosophy. That IS a choice. You can go against the norm, and if you aren't hurting anyone, most people will be ok with it. And the scary part is, while most people are ok with gay people now, this wasn't true 35 years ago. And at least in my perspective, it's not really moving forward the way it should be because of the talking heads. So, 35 years ago. Would you choose being beat up, and people making fun of you constantly? Or would you choose a normal life, and the opportunity to have a child (35 years ago there didn't seem to be to many surrogate moms lining up to give a gay couple a baby.) On whether it's environmental or genetic? I actually think it's mostly genetic, but environmental plays a part. While you learn a lot in the first 5 years, you can't help but wonder. All of your personality traits and things you enjoy come from your genes. Environmental may also play a part, but since it isn't as large, I don't really know what it is. Anyone know? And, yes. Sexuality can change.. Hasn't happened to me, but I know people who have had that happen.
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Post by Lex on Dec 20, 2010 12:49:19 GMT -5
Born that way or not, it's not a choice -- period. That is an established fact. And, as an LGBT individual, I can say this with absolute certainty.
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Flappy
Star
Grrr! But not really....
Posts: 577
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Post by Flappy on Dec 20, 2010 20:39:30 GMT -5
...most people are ok with gay people now... I don't actually believe this. I do believe that more people are okay with it than in the past, but I honestly don't think the majority of people are. Not to be rude, but almost every Christian I've talked to will actually argue against equal rights for gays. (Gay marriage mainly) and will say that homosexuality is a sin. (Now I don't believe in sin, but most people find sin to be something wrong or bad.) I'm not saying it's just Christians, it definitely isn't. Anyway, I do think this conditioned belief that homosexuality is a sin is a terrible thing, and it is one of the biggest reasons I hate Christianity (hate as in the beliefs of, I find the religion fascinating). I don't hate Christians, I just hate the Christian religion. Sorry, this isn't meant to be a religious debate, but this point is relevant.
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Post by qooqǝɯɐƃ on Dec 20, 2010 22:36:19 GMT -5
I'd argue that you are born with those feelings, just as the majority of people are straight but they don't choose it, they genuinely feel that way. Although I also believe there are a number of people out there that actually choose to be gay for some reason, maybe they wanna be a rebel or what have you, but the vast majority of LGBTs are genuinely lesbian or gay or bi and/or transexual.
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Post by SwimFellow on Dec 21, 2010 12:52:47 GMT -5
...most people are ok with gay people now... I don't actually believe this. I do believe that more people are okay with it than in the past, but I honestly don't think the majority of people are. Not to be rude, but almost every Christian I've talked to will actually argue against equal rights for gays. (Gay marriage mainly) and will say that homosexuality is a sin. (Now I don't believe in sin, but most people find sin to be something wrong or bad.) I'm not saying it's just Christians, it definitely isn't. Anyway, I do think this conditioned belief that homosexuality is a sin is a terrible thing, and it is one of the biggest reasons I hate Christianity (hate as in the beliefs of, I find the religion fascinating). I don't hate Christians, I just hate the Christian religion. Sorry, this isn't meant to be a religious debate, but this point is relevant. Well, let me clarify. About 55% of the US is ok with gay people, but that's just the US. There are still countries where it is illegal to be gay.
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Post by Joey on Dec 21, 2010 15:13:17 GMT -5
Again, Ill repeat. My religion is retarded when it comes to this. We are prejudice and judgmental about it. And really. The church teaches is that it is a sin. So is cussing. We dont ban people who cuss from the military. Why does this worse?
FYI I dont think its a sin, its a trait. Its the same as the favorite color, I really dont care. Its there life, let them be any sexuality they want.
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Post by Freddy on Dec 21, 2010 22:39:03 GMT -5
I don't think its a sin, it's a trait. It's the same as the favorite color, I really don't care. Its their life, let them be any sexuality they want. Couldn't have said it better.
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Post by stephen5000 on Dec 26, 2010 1:23:43 GMT -5
I also think that sexuality is fluid and can change over the course of one's life, especially during childhood in adolescence. I don't think really young kids to be said to even have a sexuality. (This is a different topic, but I think sexuality is often thrust upon many kids before they're developed, potentially skewing their views and behaviour.) Culture certainly affects the expression of one's sexuality if nothing else.
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Post by Ryan on Dec 26, 2010 10:19:44 GMT -5
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinsey_scaleAlso - why does it matter if people are born gay or straight? if they are are you going to try to change it? if their not, does it matter why they are gay or straight? Why is such a debate made into such a big deal? Instead of focusing on the how, we should instead focus on something more useful like promoting awareness and acceptance.
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