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Being celibate, although a challenge, is far from impossible. Furthermore, if a person dwells on "forbidden fruit" in the form of fantasy, daydreams, and above all, pornography, then it is very difficult. Instead, if a person realizes that their desires are harmful to themselves and others, and focuses their attention on other aspects of life (and there are yogic methods that help in this regard) it is not only possible to be celibate but to experience a great freedom in celibacy.

People have to ignore or rise above all kinds of desires - the illicit desire for others' spouses, even relatives, desires to have sex with other kinds of inappropriate people, or even the desire to overeat or steal. Just because a desire flits across the mind doesn't mean we have to chase it and do it. The mind is constantly filled with desires. To be human means we choose which desires to follow and which to ignore. We don't have to entertain every desire, just like we don't entertain unwanted guests.

Just because a few people may remember struggling with desires for the same sex since early childhood doesn't at all indicate that they are "born that way". Early childhood experiences are extremely influential and not always remembered. Relationships with parents start from birth and influence us for our whole lives. Did you read my post about my alcohol use and family upbringing? A lot of people say alcoholism is to a great degree genetic. Does this mean I or someone else is destined to be an alcoholic no matter what?

Additionally, there is a great deal of evidence (not just speculation, like the aricle that begins this thread) that homosexuals who WANT to change often can. There is living proof in the fact that there are many people today who used to identify as "homosexual" in attraction and action, who now are either married or experiencing heterosexual attraction, or are peacefully celibate.

I urge you to read the links. There is great information available, and unfortunately the mass media does not want people to know a great many things - not just the homosexual issue.

You make some very good points. I will say that I have no doubt anyone can be celibate if they really want to be, but very few people want to be. As far as a great freedom in celibacy, I wouldn't know, and frankly, I don't think it is natural or healthy. The urge to procreate is extremely powerful. Whether this urge is as strong in homosexuals, I don't know. I have no doubt that environment plays a very strong role in many people's lives. At the same time, biology has a lot to do with it too. I'm sure that you are aware scientists have similar debates over whether intelligence is mostly affected by biology or envirnoment. When it comes down to it, you are admitting people are born gay. What you are saying is that they could resist if they wanted to.

dwells on "forbidden fruit"

I agree. Sex is a desire, not a need. Food is a need. Big difference. And tough to discern in our society. From advertising, you would think toothpaste and sex are closely related. In our society, some can't tell the difference between a need and a desire. Others take a thought, turn it into a desire, then a need, then a right, then a protected status. All from 1 warped thought that we all have, but most of us throw it out before letting it take control of us.