Homosexuality a choice?

Though sexual necessities are, in some respects, on the same primal level as hunger or survival, I don't believe there's much primal instinct in the practice of sex today... so I wouldn't equate it to something harsh like sating hunger or easing discomfort. I don't really know though... maybe if I knew more about the layers of brain activity (the thing about cortex, neocortex, etc.) I'd have a better idea..

 

I think that homosexuality is based off a great many factors. However, I would say that alot of it would be the testosterone and estrogen levels that regulate in the blood is one of the biggest things, and that can be decided by habits (smoking pot increases estrogen for example, while working out specifically your legs can increase testosterone.) Aside from that, factors such as being raised with or without a father can have impact, in that having a father can give younger guys confidence with women and not have them develop a fear for women while developing interest in males. Bottom line is that I think it's something that is decided through your experiences in life.

 

I have a lot of gay friends, or friends that have been in same-sex relationships

One friend is a straight up lesbian.
Been with a guy, and was repulsed by the experience.
She hasn't been abused, nor has any reason to dislike males.
She says she has always been attracted to girls, even from a young age. She ignored it, knew it was wrong, and even made up boyfriends in highschool to fit in. I was the only friend who knew the truth.
It wasn't until recently she decided to give up the sharade, and date girls.

In saying that, I think it is something you are born with.
Whether you act on it, is up to the individual.
Some people probably are more compelled to act on it than others... hense the terms bi-curious
Not necessarily natural, as it shows no evolutionary purpose. We are attracted to the opposite sex to reproduce. We have no primitive reason to sleep with the same sex.

 

I heard if kids at the age of 2-10 play with girl toys, such as dolls, barbies,Ponys.

They have less chance of becomming gay when they get older.

 

Less? That's neat, but I'd love to see the actual study on that >.>
But yeah- the environment you grow up in could play role.

 

Why do straight men like girls?...For the Same Reason Gay men like guys..Its not optional. They just have ''The Feeling''

 

I view homosexuality as more of a fetish, because if you think of it, it really is just a fetish for the opposite sex, more or less.

 

Same could be said of heterosexual feelings as well.

 

That could be for bisexuality and heterosexuality in the same. It is innate though because you are attracted to certain people.

 

I haven't read the enitre thread, so forgive me if this has been said.

Think of it this way: If you're straight (chances are that you are), did you ever make a conscious decision to be attracted to the opposite sex? Assuming you didn't, what makes you think gay people made a conscious decision to be attracted to the same sex?

If you believe they did make that choice, why did they make it? Homosexuals are undeniably subjected to huge levels of abuse and discrimination. If they made a conscious decision to be gay, surely there must be some advantage that homosexuality holds over heterosexuality that would negate the life of persecution that inevitably follows a choice to be homosexual? As far as I'm aware, sexual relations are no more or less satisfying for gay people; long term relationships are similarly no more or less satisfying; it's certainly no easier to start a family; career prospects are not improved by being gay; there's no significant difference between gay people and straight people when it comes to quality and number of friendships.

From what I can see, there is no inherent advantage to being gay, yet there is at least one huge disadvantage; that of a life of abuse and persecution- it cannot be denied that gay people experience more prejudice and abuse than straight people.

All of this leads me to one simple question; if you had a choice, completely free of any physiological influence, why would you choose a life frought with abuse and persecution?

If anyone can think of a reason, I'd be delighted to hear it, but the only conclusion I can draw is that homosexuality cannot be a conscious choice. That isn't to say that someone's sexuality cannot be affected by environmental factors, but I do believe that there is a physiological predisposition to homosexuality (IIRC, there have been studies that have shown that sexuality can be affected by pre-natal hormone levels). Again, assuming that there are environmental factors (nothing is ever wholly nature or nurture, after all), I have no idea what they are, nor would I care to speculate.

 

It's been proven that homosexuality is not a choice. However, the debate remains whether it is nature or nurture, caused by your genes or the environment around you. I believe it is caused by both genes and one's environment as one develops.

 

I am going to say yes I believe it is a choice.

I say this not only because of my religious views, but also because, and I'm sad to say this, but my own experiences/thoughts. It's become quite clear to me that a person can choose their sexual preferences. It's like any other sin. Just because stealing feels good doesn't mean it is okay to do.

Of course things in your life such as events or people may affect you, but it's still ultimately your choice.

 

I don't know that this is definitely the case, and the mere existence of sexual regulations implies that a substantial amount of the population of ancient societies were homosexuals.

Define sin, and prove that it exists.

I don't know that this is definitely the case, and the mere existence of sexual regulations implies that a substantial amount of the population of ancient societies were homosexuals.

 

You have misunderstood. Participating in homosexual behaviors is a choice. Feeling homosexual feelings or having homosexual thoughts is not. Stealing and having homosexual relations have nothing in common. Stealing hurts someone but homosexuality does not.

True. It could have easily been genetical or cultural and we really can not know.

 

Basically my point of view as well. I do believe you are born with an inclination towards whatever your sexual orientation turns out to be, but environmental factors can and do effect the eventual outcome.

A surprising amount of people on this thread think it's a choice. I thought it was pretty well established by now that it is for the most part something that is out of our control.

My brother was a transgender (which for the purposes of this thread, is pretty similar to being gay) and I firmly believe that is something he would not have chosen for himself. Nobody would put themselves through the agony of oppression if they had the choice.

 

"Sexual fetishism, or erotic fetishism, is the sexual arousal a person receives from a physical object, or from a specific situation. The object or situation of interest is called the fetish, the person a fetishist who has a fetish for that object/situation."

You're objectifying homosexuality and saying it revolves only around sex.

"Homosexuality is romantic and/or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same sex."

Sex plays a part in all sexuality obviously but it doesn't mean that a man can't love a man or vice versa, and to think otherwise is ignorant.

 

Yes it is.

 

how the hell is it not a choice? lol

 

Do you consciously choose to be attracted to the opposite gender? If you say yes, you're most likely lying.. or in the closet even to yourself.

What makes being gay any different?

 

Finn posted this in his staff thread, and I find it good proof showing it isn't a choice, since he is a homosexual.