Why gay isnt a choice matters to equality.

[FreeState]

Its often said that it should not matter weather being gay or bisexual is a choice or not. When you do not see it as anything other than another expression of sexual orientation of cource it does not matter. However a new study out today by GLAAD shows dramatically why its important that people know its not a choice.

"Those who believe people are born gay are significantly more likely to believe gay and lesbian couples should be able to legally marry. Those who believe people choose to be gay are significantly more likely to think there should be no legal recognition of gay and lesbian couples’ relationships. "

http://www.glaad.org/2008/DOCUMENTS/HarrisPoll120308.pdf

The whole study is facinating - read the PDF if your interested in seeing how LGBT persons are viewed currently in the US.

[thereismore]

1. Well duh. Understanding that sexuality is not a choice absolutely removed any doubt I once

might have had.

[daninthemoon]

2. those are numbers that one would expect, but it is stark to see.

i think there are lots of people born gay, and also some people who make a choice. I think the argument about born/choice should be set aside because there is not going to be a correct answer for every person. it shouldn't matter which individual is what, because it's pretty undeniable that at least some (probably most) self identified gays are born that way, the way that God or nature intended them to be.

[BOSSHOG]

3. I don't think its important that people "know its not a choice."

I think its important that perverted religious zealots who hate in the name of Jesus Christ stay the fuck out of other peoples pants and stop trying to use the constitution as a weapon. We live in the land of the free not the land of james dobson.

[atommom]

4. I think it's more important that people realize that being gay is not an immoral

or abnormal thing, no matter whether people are born gay or not. I don't think it's really a choice in most instances, but even it was, why is that any of anyone else's business???

[mrreowwr_kittty]

5. I have two problems with that theory

Not because I don't think that it's imperative that being gay be recognized as not a choice, I absolutely do. However, the fact that other attributes i.e., being black or female are recognized as innate does not mean that people possessing them are immune from being discriminated against. Further, I think the "gay being a choice" meme is common because it's part of the propaganda of the anti-gay movement, but it's not what causes homophobia. IOW, it's a byproduct of this particular brand of bigotry, but it's not the substance of the bigotry. While discrimination against gays would undoubtedly lessen somewhat with recognition that it's an innate trait, the bigots would find other ways to justify "othering" LGBT people, just like they do with women and ethnic minorities. Note that 46% of respondents who think people are born gay do not support marriage.

[Behind the Aegis]

7. Very well stated.

You summed it up very nicely! Well done!

[izquierdista]

6. Even if it was a choice

This is supposed to be a pluralistic society where people can enjoy life, liberty and PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS. Social conservatives seem to be hell bent on removing those sources of happiness and requiring the public to follow a strict moral code. The choice of which moral code to follow seems be "the one that most resembles the rules of my church" -- to which I say a hale and hearty Bullshit!