Is homosexuality a choice or is it genetic?

[vyo476]

From the American Psychological Association Help Center:

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.

It's important to recognize that there are probably many reasons for a person's sexual orientation, and the reasons may be different for different people.

So it may be biological/genetic, but is probably preconditioned. Is it a choice?

No, human beings cannot choose to be either gay or straight. For most people, sexual orientation emerges 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.

Take a gander: http://www.apahelpcenter.org/articles/article.php?id=31

 

[Coyote]

WTF!

A person who does not engage in homosexual acts is NOT a homosexual for the same reason that a person who wishes to bash your skull in is not a murderer.

There is a difference between being (a noun) and behavior (a verb) -- engaging in the verb does not by itself make the noun.

Everyone feels depressed at times and happy at times. Does that make you Bi-Polar? No.

 

[Segep]

Lets ask Segep. When he was married to his wife and having children was he a homosexual? When he switched, did he make a choice, or did his genetics change? Or is he a bi-sexual. Maybe everyone is bisexual until they make a choice.

I was and am bisexual. I am happily committed to my (male) partner of 5 years this November. I still find some women sexually attractive, but I have no desire to pursue a relationship with one. Call it whatever you want.

 

[numinus]

There is a difference between being (a noun) and behavior (a verb) -- engaging in the verb does not by itself make the noun.

LOL.

Engaging in the verb automatically makes the noun. Conversely, not engaging in the verb does not make the noun.

Where in god's green earth can you find a homosexual who does not engage in a homosexual act, hmm?

Everyone feels depressed at times and happy at times. Does that make you Bi-Polar? No.

Depressed and happy are not verbs. Try harder.

 

[numinus]

From the American Psychological Association Help Center:



So it may be biological/genetic, but is probably preconditioned. Is it a choice?

Of course they would say biological or genetic. Its not like human free will and choice can be measured, now can it?

And if you have a rudimentary knowledge of matrix algebra, you can very well derive a functional relationship between the occurence of human stupidity and the full moon. Using your mathematical expression for any predictive purpose, however, is another matter entirely.

 

[vyo476]

Where in god's green earth can you find a homosexual who does not engage in a homosexual act, hmm?

There are plenty. Many do not do so for reasons of social stigma. Thankfully, that's starting to change, but even today it isn't easy for one to admit to family and friends that one is homosexual.

My cousin came out to our family about eight years ago. His mother, my aunt, told him he was "just going through a phase." His best friend from high school stopped talking to him; they haven't mended things to this day. His home was egged.

It's about as easy to find a homosexual who does not engage in homosexual acts as it is to find a heterosexual who does not engage in heterosexual acts.

 

[numinus]

There are plenty. Many do not do so for reasons of social stigma. Thankfully, that's starting to change, but even today it isn't easy for one to admit to family and friends that one is homosexual.

My cousin came out to our family about eight years ago. His mother, my aunt, told him he was "just going through a phase." His best friend from high school stopped talking to him; they haven't mended things to this day. His home was egged.

It's about as easy to find a homosexual who does not engage in homosexual acts as it is to find a heterosexual who does not engage in heterosexual acts.

A homosexual, by definition, is one who engages in homosexual acts.

Conversely, someone who does not engage in homosexual act is not a homosexual.

A homosexual who does not engage in a homosexual act is a lLOGICAL CONTRADICTION. No such person exists.

 

[vyo476]

A homosexual, by definition, is one who engages in homosexual acts.

Conversely, someone who does not engage in homosexual act is not a homosexual.

A homosexual who does not engage in a homosexual act is a lLOGICAL CONTRADICTION. No such person exists.

A heterosexual, then, is one who engages in heterosexual acts.

Conversely, someone who does not engage in heterosexual acts is not a heterosexual, in your world.

Someone ought to go tell all the nuns that took vows of celibacy that they're not straight anymore and see what they have to say about it.

 

[numinus]

A heterosexual, then, is one who engages in heterosexual acts.

Conversely, someone who does not engage in heterosexual acts is not a heterosexual, in your world.

Someone ought to go tell all the nuns that took vows of celibacy that they're not straight anymore and see what they have to say about it.

Correct.

It wasn't hard, was it? Logical thinking, I mean.

 

[gtanner79]

What an interesting question - how could I pass it up?

I believe that homosexuality and sexuality in general is related to experience, environment, love, attraction, and emotional connections.

Some people I know just happened to be open to the idea of developing connection with men as well as women - and if that connection grows then attraction and love can set it - just as it does with two people of opposing genders.

Experience and environment always play a role. Even in other ways that we don't realize. Behavior is modeled and developed during the years that we live with our family. The idea that "we become our parents" is a pretty good one to an extent. If you had gay parents - you would certainly see it as a possibility. Not that it's a given, but you would probably accept it as a choice. I also belive this is true for other behaviors - how we act around a spouse, abuse, alcoholism, drugs, violence, religion, etc.

I also think that attraction plays into it - you have to be attracted to the same sex. But I do not feel that being attracted to men/women is black and white (meaning you're always attracted to either the same or opposite sex) - for some people it's probably akin to being attracted to blondes, athletic people, huge boobs, butts, etc.

Such an interesting topic.

As a final thought - I do not think it's "genetic" - I know a set of identical twins - one is gay, one is undeniably straight. Now, I don't know all that much about DNA - but aren't identical twins supposed to have exactly the same DNA?

 

[vyo476]

Correct.

It wasn't hard, was it? Logical thinking, I mean.

So do you believe that there is no such thing as sexual orientation?

 

[Cookie Parker]

I say it is a choice but what sayest thou?

Only the religious consider homosexuality a choice..that's because they are NOT allowed to think freely and research. It's also because it gives them a false sense of power and rule over people....like they are and want to be the government.

This crushing of individual rights, our constitution and the bill of rights by the religious right in this nation makes them more dangerous to our freedoms than any foreign religious zealot group that exists today.

 

[USMC the Almighty]

Only the religious consider homosexuality a choice..that's because they are NOT allowed to think freely and research. It's also because it gives them a false sense of power and rule over people....like they are and want to be the government.

I'm not religious (though I do believe in God) Cookie and I believe that in most cases homosexuality is a choice.

This crushing of individual rights, our constitution and the bill of rights by the religious right in this nation makes them more dangerous to our freedoms than any foreign religious zealot group that exists today.

Please elaborate on this. Religion has been an inseparable part of our culture and history since this country's birth.

 

[9sublime]

Please elaborate on this. Religion has been an inseparable part of our culture and history since this country's birth.

Because you have so many more right winger, power hungry, freedom crushing religious politicians and general religious nutters thesedays.

 

[PoliticalGrrrl]

Its a Behavoral problem. The reason why Men comit those faggot acts cause theyre so damn frustrated dealing with women. Women do it cause theyre to god damn lazy finding a good man instead of taking whats offered to them.So i dont think Gay or Lersbian Marrage should be legal. I think Insurance companies should deny anyone whos gay or lesbian health insurance. And if you file an job application if the employer finds out youre gay or lesbian you dont get the job. If you turn gay or lesbian your boss finds out he has the right to fire you!

Good. Lord.

Since I'm new here and not really familiar with everyone's personality....

Are you serious?!


To answer the question: I believe it not to be a choice. I don't know of any logical thinking, sane person that would choose to be discriminated against, beaten up and worse for the sake of being a sexual deviant (as my new found friend above makes it sound). Before anyone comes at me with a red herring, let me thwart that off now: I am a heterosexual and happily married for almost 20 years.