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Homophobia? Now that IS a CHOICE!

In response to Lisa and Allison’s posts regarding homosexuality, it is clear sexual orientation is a trait people are born with. We’ve decided homosexuality is not a choice, now homophobia? That IS a choice. Homophobia is the fear of being gay and homosexuality in general. Phobias are individual opinions and feelings of fear that people choose. Those who choose to be homophobes are against homosexuals and what they represent, they go out of their way to push gay people away. It is a personal choice people make everyday to abuse and discriminate against homosexuals. It is a choice that people make to fear homosexuals for being different, segregating them from living a normal lifestyle in our “equal” society. Homophobia is a huge on-going problem in schools, work, and communities.

I found the above documentary on homophobia extremely relevant and interesting because it incorporates how homosexuals are affected by homophobia, along with the different interpretations and misconceptions of homophobia. As the narrator states in the documentary, “discrimination of sexuality is no different than any other acts of hatred” Homosexuals suffer from bullying, rape, harassment, gestures, violence, and name-calling. “That’s gay” or “you’re gay” are derogatory phrases that sadly have become so over-used they are a part of everyday language. People may not even realize the negative connotation in what they are saying or how hurtful it is to people who are gay because of how homosexuality is negatively portrayed in our society.

It is funny how those who say that homosexuality is “morally” wrong are the same hypocrites who harass, humiliate, and stereotype innocent homosexuals. Isn’t that just as “morally” wrong? Homophobia is a sad excuse for those who are so prejudice and unwilling to open their minds and hearts to accept homosexuals. I think those who claim they are homophobic show a sign of weakness. If they are afraid of people being different then they are too scared and insecure about their own orientation to have the capability to face homosexuals and reach out to them as equal individuals. In today’s world, people should realize that we are all different, but created equal. Homophobia is strongly offensive to homosexuals and is not going to help homosexuals feel any more equal or welcomed in our society when people are categorizing them as “freaks” or people to be scared of.

Is Homosexuality a Birth Defect?

While searching the web, I found some pretty interesting articles on whether or not homosexuality is a choice or biological. I personally believe that homosexuality is NOT a choice. I am heterosexual and did not choose it so how can we say homosexuals choose it?

I found an interesting article discussing differences in brain structures for homosexuals compared to heterosexuals. When comparing both sides of the brain, homosexual males have symmetrical brains and homosexual females have asymmetrical brains. These results were also compared to heterosexual males and females showing the homosexual male brain was similar to the heterosexual female brain (symmetrical) and the homosexual female brain is similar to the heterosexual male brain (asymmetrical).

These results are significant and contribute to the belief that homosexuality is in fact biological. However, the article continues to analyze these results and discusses the negative effects of homosexuality being seen as biological because then it will be labeled a “birth defect” and scientific technology will be put to use in attempt to reverse the differences. A Southern Baptist, Rev. Albert Mohler Jr. states, “If a biological basis is found, and if a prenatal test is then developed, and if a successful treatment to reverse the sexual orientation to heterosexual is ever developed, we would support its use.” If homosexuality is considered a birth defect, all people will do is try to discover a way to “fix” it when there is nothing to fix in the first place. Homosexuality should NOT be considered a birth defect. There is nothing biologically wrong with being gay and it especially does not need fixing.

If homosexuality is considered a birth defect shouldn’t stupidity, obesity, and laziness also be considered defects since these are also considered undesirable qualities in society. There are a lot of worse individuals in our society that should be “fixed” such as pedophiles, rapists, and murders. These individuals are the true threat to society.

When will science stop trying to make everyone “normal?” Normal cannot be defined in today’s world. There are too many different cultures, beliefs, and traditions in our society. Society teaches us to focus on finding the differences in each other and stereotype individuals instead of accepting each other and embracing everyone’s differences, which is what we should really be doing.

References:

http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/gay-brain-science-homosexuality-a-birth-defect/

Genetics of Homosexuality

After reading the last blog I agree with Allison. No one controls whom he or she falls in love with. Love can’t be explained nor should it ever have to be. One of the main questions that arise throughout society today is if being gay is due to a “ gay gene”. Dr. Alan Sander, M.D. talks about in the article Molecular Genetic Study of Sexual Orientation, “ Understanding the origins of sexual orientation will enable us to learn a great deal about sexual motivation, sexual identity, gender identity and sex difference. Our primary goals are scientific, but we also are hopeful for greater societal understanding”.

This may be beneficial on a societal level by enhancing individual’s acceptance of the gay community. However this could also have negative affect on society. First and foremost, it would play a role in the elimination of individuality. This is because sexual orientation is one of the main characteristics that define who each one of us is. Finding a gene relating to sexual orientation could have negative affects on an individual by choosing whom they will fall in love with. This could also cause parents to neglect their future children based on a genetic test that reveals the child’s sexual orientation.

The video above documents a boy who has wanted an explanation for why he is gay. He explains that he always knew he was different. The video also interviews Dr. Sanders M.D. about the study he is conducting. This documentation explains that the concept of gay gene may one day become reality. This is when society should question what is morally right about judging people based off of sexual orientation?

What's Morally Wrong With Homosexuality?

Sexual orientation is a hot topic that is constantly talked about in our society, especially the argument of homosexuality being biological or a choice. Lisa and Devon have very good arguments that I completely agree with. Choosing a homosexual life style comes with many hardships and difficulties you will face on a day-to-day basis and it is hard for me to believe that any one would chose a lifestyle like this if they were not born that way or could change how they feel; forcing me believe that homosexuality is NOT a choice but biological. There is a great deal of well-supported research that proves homosexuality is biological with evidence of hormone levels discussed in the article “Homosexuality and Biology” by Chandler Burr (1997) Lisa cited earlier. Sexual orientation is not something you can choose just like you cannot choose your eye or hair color, you are just born with it. And besides, why does someone have to justify why they like a specific gender? Why should it matter when it doesn’t affect anyone else?

No one controls who they fall in love with and no one can explain why they are attracted to certain individual. Homosexuals should not have to explain why they love who they love. Love is a beautiful thing and we need more of it in this world. Who you chose to love should not be judged upon but should be celebrated. With divorce rates sky rocketing for heterosexuals, who are we to tell homosexuals they should love a specific type of person or gender when it clearly is not working for us? We should embrace love and happiness no matter what shape or form it comes in.

I think the main issue involving homosexuality is that people constantly say it is morally wrong and threatens society because it goes against the norms. But there is no logical explanation to how it is morally wrong. I found a great video on You Tube that discusses the moral issues behind homosexuality. I think he does a great job covering all the major moral topics that come up with the subject of sexual orientation and homosexuality. This video allows you to understand the other side of the argument and see how absurd it is to say homosexuality is morally wrong. The video gives great examples on resolving misconceptions of homosexuality and think it is important for everyone to listen to how homosexuals feel and respond to threats against their sexual orientation. I really like the part in the video where he talks about people only focusing on the sex issue with homosexuals, not any other aspects of their lives or relationships. Sex should not define homosexuality, how someone lives their life and treats others should be focused on.

"I HATE BEING GAY"

I agree with Lisa that being gay is not a choice. Many people assume that sexual orientation is a choice, and that homosexuals choose their lifestyle. However, people fail to consider why someone might “choose” to put themselves through the pain, humility, and discrimination that many homosexuals endure. Sexual orientation is definitely not a choice. In fact, many homosexuals hate themselves for their sexual orientation, and struggle with all the stereotypes and difficulties that come with it.

The following video is a clip from the Tyra Banks show when Tyra interviews 3 different gay men who ironically hate gay people. It is a “self hatred” emotion that they feel toward their orientation. They each feel that gays are “disgustingly weak, terrifying, and that homosexuality is a shameful disorder.” One might question how that is possible? Or if they hate that lifestyle, why don’t they change it? But that is the point I am trying to make, these men have no choice, They were born this way, they didn’t choose to be gay, it is a feeling inside them that they have to accept, there is no switch in their body that they can turn on or off to be straight, as many people think there is.

Being gay is not an easy lifestyle, it is a struggle that homosexuals face every single day. One man on the Tyra show even has a goal for a deadline to “stop being gay”. He is hoping that it is just a phase because he despises himself and the stereotypes that come with his sexual orientation. Not to mention that he wants to eventually settle down, marry a woman and start a family. The other man is terrified of his orientation, and the thought that he has disappointed his family, he discusses the struggles of “coming out of the closet” and facing the public with who he is. People look down among homosexuals for who they are; they place a label on them as if as a “threat” to society, as if they are some kind of criminal. Homosexuals are not a threat to society; they are innocent people just trying to live their life like everyone else. Instead of being so concerned with homosexuals lifestyles, society should be more concerned about the real threats- the terrorists, rapists, pedophiles; people who actually deserve to be discriminated against and leave homosexuals alone.

Homosexuals should not be afraid to live their lives because they do not fit the “normal”. Homosexuals should be accepted in society as equal human beings rather than looked at as “weird” or “sinful”. As research proves, they didn’t “choose” to be different, and they should be credited for facing the struggles that society inflicts upon them just for being different.

References:

http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=Pup-0dBhRsc&feature=related

It is not a choice!!!!

The raging debate about gay rights ultimately turns on one simple question is it a Choice?. Does someone choose to be gay? Or are they just born that way? There has not been one single cause for sexual orientation that has been demonstrated, however research demonstrates that it arises from genetic, hormonal, and environmental influences. For example in the article written by Chandler Burr called "Homosexuality and Bioloy" discovered that " Such research in animals has led to hypotheses that hormones are, in some way, a cause of homosexuality in human beings" (Burr,1997, pg 8). The experiment demonstrated that when female rats were injected with hormones there actions were altered.

Personally I believe that it is not a choice. When I was growing up and playing with my male cousin he loved to play house and barbies. At the time I really didn't think much about it. When my family was informed my father commented that it was very evident when he was younger because of his actions. This made me think back to how much he loved to play girly games with me and my friends. This clearly demonstrates that he didn't choose to be gay because it started at such a young age.

Honestly it is hard to even consider the fact that someone would choose to be gay. The lifestyle is not easy and is very hard on a single individual. Many homosexuals are currently looked down upon even though it is not there choice. In this video the young man gives a first hand opinion expressing how he did not choose to be gay nor does any one. He stresses that a desire is something that can not be taught. He gives an example that young kids don't have the mental capacity to understand what homosexuality is but they may posses homosexual desires, tendencies, or feminine traits such as playing with dolls, but they don't even know what it means so how can it be learned? If a child knew it was "wrong" or what it meant to be homosexual, I'm sure it wouldn't be a lifestyle they would purposely choose at that young age, it is an innate trait, something they are born with and it is they only lifestyle they know, to them it is normal.