Posted on 07/12/2006 2:07:22 PM PDT by carlo3b
No scientific basis for 'born gay' theory By David Clarke PrudenAlthough the simple "born gay" theory has faded from the science scene, activists continue to misrepresent scientific findings. When you assert that individuals are born gay and cannot change, people naturally jump to the conclusion that same-sex marriage is the only rational choice for same-sex attracted individuals.
However, the innate-immutable theory of homosexuality has no basis in science. The simplistic biological theory has been dismissed by all of the researchers whose studies have been cited to support the notion that homosexuality is so deeply compelled by biology that it cannot change.
Let's examine the words of just one of those often incorrectly cited as providing evidence for a "gay gene." Simon LeVay notes, "It is important to stress what I didn't find. I did not prove that homosexuality was genetic, or find a cause for being gay. I didn't show that gay men were born that way, the most common mistake people make in interpreting my work."
A new research study by a University of Illinois team, which has screened the entire human genome, reported that there is no one gay gene. Writing in the journal Human Genetics, lead researcher Dr. Brian Mustanski noted that environmental factors were also likely to be involved.
Of the innate-immutable argument, Dr. Richard C. Friedman and Dr. Jennifer Downey, noted, "At clinical conferences one often hears . . . that homosexual orientation is fixed and unmodifiable. Neither assertion is true . . . The assertion that homosexuality is genetic is so reductionistic that it must be dismissed out of hand as a general principle of psychology."
And the fluidity of homosexual attractions is well-established. Dr. Ellen Schecter of the Fielding Institute studied women who had self-identified as lesbian for more than 10 years and who after age 30 were now in intimate relationships with men lasting a year or longer.
Even more prominent was the research by Robert Spitzer, the very psychiatrist who led the charge to remove homosexuality from the psychiatric manual. His study of 200 gay men and lesbian women who had undergone re-orientation therapy concluded: 44 percent of the women and 66 percent of the men had arrived at what he called "good heterosexual functioning" and 89 percent of the men and 95 percent of the women reported that they were bothered slightly or not at all by unwanted homosexual feelings.
Mainstream gay-affirming publications like The Advocate are changing their terminology to embrace the concept of fluid sexual attractions. Matt Foreman, of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, summarizes what the gay movement has done.
"We as a movement can take pride that we opened the door for young people to be much more fluid about sexuality, gender, gender roles, orientation and sexual behavior than any other generation in history. That's what the gay movement has contributed to society, and that's a tremendously good thing."
But is it? If the innate-immutable theory of homosexuality has no basis in science then why do so many activists still insist that individuals are born gay and cannot change? LeVay provided the answer. He notes " . . . people who think that gays and lesbians are born that way are more likely to support gay rights."
This is not to say that anyone chooses homosexual attractions nor do most of us choose many of the other challenges we face in life, but we do choose how we respond.
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David Clarke Pruden is the executive director of Evergreen International, a nonprofit Latter-Day Saint organization that provides resources and educational services for same-sex attracted members.
>...he's never had any feelings of sexual attraction to women but has to men since he was in middle school<
Middle school tells me he "made his discovery" after the mid '60's. The feminist movement was in full bloom then, thus perhaps many young men simultaneously became "femalefobic." Note the girls these days are extremely aggressive, and that could turn a young fella off. :o)
"...but I believe some people are just born gay."
Yeah, and some are born with a tendency to violence, sexually attracted to kids, or a desire to rape; But we sure don't tolerate them in society, much less condone and affirm their behavior!
Saying that Homosexuality should be condoned because these people have abnormal feelings for each other that they "can't" control, is like justifying Sin because of Temptation!
My understanding is that there is a normal attraction to the same sex at some point in the tween years (or it might be earlier). I heard that this was a normal progression of development and that most people pass through it. And I'm not even sure it is a real sex thing. Perhaps someone more educated in the area can explain further. Anyway, I'm thinking some people may never pass through it and with today's agenda are actually told at that age that since they have those feelings they must be gay. I think that is why they want to get to the kids at such a young age.
I also think that in the past there were effeminate boys but it wasn't automatically associated with being a homosexual. Now an effeminate boy doesn't have a chance as he is labeled quickly.
The game plan is to make the lifestyle seem normal through TV, schools, movies, laws.. Don't kid yourself, the next generation will not find being Gay is anything but a simple choice, it will be up to their parents to set the record straight.. It is never too soon to have this conversation with your children and friends..
Not really. But many people want things that will harm them. Addicts will die taking their drugs. Alcoholics will drink until their health is ruined or lives lost. They weren't born that way either. You, of all people, should know that human nature is sin. And it deeply hurts people. It's also painful to watch their hurt. My brother has left the gay lifestyle because a belief in God. Is he straight? No. He found the strenghth to love God more than himself.
A well reasoned response, and I agree that we need to put the political correctness aside and be open minded so we can find the cause.
Because it may not be a 'choice' in the normal sense.
It may be more of a physical or emotional trauma at a very early age. Even school mates 'taugnting' may make someone rebel against the 'norm'.
Such as 'Billy likes Suzie, Billy Likes Suzie!'
Billy: "No I don't. I'll show you!'
And proceeds to kiss Marty!
As you say, if 'science cannot prove it is genetic' then the only conclusion is, that is isn't!
I have a gay daughter. She was raised in church and she struggles mightily knowing that God disapproves of her lifestyle. She doesn't really believe that she was born gay, per se, but she cant recall too many instances where she has been attracted to boys. (though there has been a few) What she does have is an incredible, irrational FEAR of men. There were several circumstances that caused this that I wont go into here but I do think that it was trauma that sent her to where she is, and so does she. She hates being attracted to women, claims to me (maybe because I'm her momma) that she's a virgin and counsels her friends that it isn't "cool" or "sexy" that it is actually very difficult to be gay.
Anyways, this rambling is to explain that I truly believe that, for the very most part, some trauma, molestation or incest or ingrained distrust of the opposite sex plays a MAJOR roll in sexual identity, even if the instances cant be remembered. I might would try getting to the bottom of that if I were you.
WTF?
"... how to "adequately" respond to those types of statements.
Anybody got a clue?
I recently came upon this handout and web site that will probably help...
https://www.sbministries.org/tracts.html
But this is impossible! You can't stop being homosexual. I know, because they say so!
Are you sure about that?
First of all, I'm confident there is no such gene. But, if there were, it wouldn't necessarily be eliminated by "evolution" (or survival of the fittest).
Think recessive vs. dominant, as with blue eyes vs. brown eyes. I'm no expert, but I know there are genetically-transmitted abnormalities which are so recessive that only a rare genetic combination will cause the abnormality to appear, when both seemingly-normal parents (as well as the siblings, and some or all of the grandparents, etc.) are carriers.
It makes not one whit of difference to me. Since July 7th. 1981, I have chosen not to drink an alcoholic beverage.
It is my choice to not drink.
"but my feeling (I know sounding like a lib) is this cannot explain all gays."
And it probably doesn't. But without knowing the individual reasons why someone is 'gay' it is nothing more than conjecture, since science doesn't back the 'genetic' theory.
It may also have been a 'life style' choice based on 'example' as well.
But deviating from the norm is nothing new, and probably will get a lot worse before it gets better.
queer is a choice just like bisexuality is...
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