Sexual Preference vs Sexual Orientation
I've always believed the latter: that being gay is a sexual orientation, not a sexual preference. Too anal*, too PC? A little bit, yes. But the distinction is important--some folks actually believe that people choose to be gay.
Can we prove that being gay is not a choice? No. However, I have never seen any convincing, non-anecdotal studies showing that it is a choice. All evidence that exists points to it not being a choice, but rather a result of genes or environment (probably both, actually). Here is the latest: gay men respond to pheremones differently than straight men. From what I gather, they respond in the same way that straight women do. And of course, this difference could either cause homosexuality or be the effect of it.
*edit: Upon further reflection, this comes off as a rather tasteless joke.
posted by Marie Antoinette at 11:30 AM
3 Comments:
My two best friends for the past 15 years are a gay couple. Both men are candid with me and answer my questions. They say choice is what you do when you say you'll have the carrots over the peas. Sexuality is part of your very being and if they could choose, they wouldn't choose being gay. As they say who would want to be reviled and spat upon for the fun of it.
Bisexuality is one thing I'd like to know more about. If there's choice involved in sexuality, perhaps this is the only arena for it.
I've heard the same thing from all the gay people I know. Bisexuality is something I know nothing about, though. I don't even hear of a lot of studies being done on bisexuals..
My idea is whether anyone chooses to be gay or is gay due to biological reasons should not matter as we all should respect each other irrespective of who does what in her/his bedroom.
But I think these types of studies might help to change the ideas of fundamentalists.
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