| warlord74 said: Your analogy between race and sexual orientation is invalid. A black man can not change his mind and become white nor can a female change her mind and become male. Those are genetic traits. Sexual activity is a choice and does change among some people. Their have been no studies to show that their is a gay gene. Thus calling someone a bigot or a homophobe over their view on sexual orientation is not valid and does not address the issue at hand. Why attack some one's character why not attack there argument. Here are links of people who once engaged in homo sexual activity and have now engage in hetro sexual activity. Even the associated press agreed not to use homophobe or biggot when it comes to people who are pro marriage between a man and a woman. http://www.conservapedia.com/Ex-homosexuals http://www.theatlanticwire.com/national/2012/11/ap-wont-let-you-call-homophobia-homophobia/59324/ |
You lost what shred of credibility you might have had the moment you referenced conservative fantasy website Conservapedia, something the most right wing nutters came up with because reality, unfortunately, has a liberal bias. And you went into negative territory when you completely misquoted that Atlantic Wire article. AP isn't ceasing the use of the word homophobia because people aren't born gay, they are ceasing to use the world because it ascribes a mental illness to bigotry. Its kind of like when the media calls a magazine a clip: they used the wrong word, so now they are just correcting their terminology. Bigotry is NOT a mental illness. So they use anti-gay instead. AP is not saying anti-gays aren't bigoted ;).
Here's a real source:
http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/sexual-orientation.aspx
"
How do people know if they are lesbian, gay, or bisexual?
According to current scientific and professional understanding, the core attractions that form the basis for adult sexual orientation typically emerge between middle childhood and early adolescence. These patterns of emotional, romantic, and sexual attraction may arise without any prior sexual experience. People can be celibate and still know their sexual orientation-–be it lesbian, gay, bisexual, or heterosexual.
Different lesbian, gay, and bisexual people have very different experiences regarding their sexual orientation. Some people know that they are lesbian, gay, or bisexual for a long time before they actually pursue relationships with other people. Some people engage in sexual activity (with same-sex and/or other-sex partners) before assigning a clear label to their sexual orientation. Prejudice and discrimination make it difficult for many people to come to terms with their sexual orientation identities, so claiming a lesbian, gay, or bisexual identity may be a slow process.
What causes a person to have a particular sexual orientation?
There is no consensus among scientists about the exact reasons that an individual develops a heterosexual, bisexual, gay, or lesbian orientation. Although much research has examined the possible genetic, hormonal, developmental, social, and cultural influences on sexual orientation, no findings have emerged that permit scientists to conclude that sexual orientation is determined by any particular factor or factors. Many think that nature and nurture both play complex roles; most people experience little or no sense of choice about their sexual orientation."
No gay gene has been discovered. But it also isn't a choice. These are things that people begin to discover about themselves as they become sexually mature, often times when they are children or pre-teens. There are countless studies showing that homosexuality isn't a choice and "can't be cured".
Here's something about a study conducted by the American Psychology Association declaring just that:
http://archive.truthout.org/081209C
" Not only does the APA warn its members against that "treatment," but it also advises them to no longer present homosexuality as an illness or a problem of personal development. That position, supported by the organization's senior leadership, will undoubtedly not be held unanimously by all psychologists. It is already rejected, in any case, by some religious milieus. Thus, according to Focus on the Family, faith remains "an anchor and a guide" for a number of people struggling with sexual problems. Evidence exists, declares the organization's spokesman, Jeff Johnson, that a person may change sexual behavior, identity, and orientation.
Faith and Therapy
The APA has ruled that people cannot change their fundamental attractions. "They may perceive them differently once they've modified their sexual identity," notes Judith Glassgold, president of the committee, "but those attractions do not change."
Again, a 40 year study from the largest scientific psychology establishment in the united states TRUMPS conservapedia.
Homosexuality cannot be cured. It is not a choice. People who hate homosexuals for their sexual orientation are bigots. People who just disagree with what homosexuals do but still respect them are NOT bigots, though.
