Helen Keller -
Her Socialist Years. Writings and Speeches
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Sunday, 9 November 2014
quote [ "Arguing that gayness is as genetically fixed as race might have bolstered our rhetoric a few years ago, but is it necessary to argue that way now? I understand that the genetic argument for homosexuality is a direct response to the tired 'You weren?t born that way' rhetoric of religious people. But in my opinion, we could strip that religious argument of much of its power if we responded like this: 'Maybe I wasn?t born this way. Now tell me why you think that matters.'" ]
My comments in the extended. Headline is shocking, but read the full article. It is an interesting argument and I hope it results in some insightful discussions.
Don't know what to think of this, but the author's opinion is as worthy of time and consideration as anyone else's in the community. While a single gay author obviously cannot speak for all gay people, I also can't tell him he's being gay wrong. Whatever any of us may think, he has a right to his own thoughts and feelings about his identity, and we should consider them. So let's have at it, shall we?
It seems the difference here is whether one can feel they own their sexual identity or like it was foisted on them. It appears to be a false dilemma; the issue here is really bigots and how they respond. If being gay is not a choice, then homophobes treat it as a disease; if it is a choice, then it's a sin. The result is condescending either way. Perhaps the choice/not choice thing is a farce, an attempt to placate a bigoted group we need not concern ourselves with. It distracts us from the fundamental issue that some people are being treated shitty; arguing why they are being treated shitty or if it's ok completely misses the point. Obviously it isn't ok to treat people badly. Curious what SE thinks. "Same Love" official video for anyone who hasn't heard it yet. I was surprised to hear this song played so much on the radio even in conservative towns. This new generation, man, they give me hope.
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sanepride said @ 5:53pm GMT on 9th November
Of course anyone is free to decide who or what they want to have sex and relationships with. This does not preclude being hardwired for a particular preference. His argument is after all based on choices influenced by a belief system- just like the folks who say you don't have to be gay to satisfy some religious dictate. Luckily we do have a behavioral complexity that allows for flexibility, but I'd think that going against one's wired nature will usually be a struggle- maybe even a damaging one. Speaking as a lazy person I generally advocate the path of least resistance, but some folks do enjoy a challenge.
It's also worth noting that it's likely people aren't simply born gay or straight, but also many levels in between. Maybe this guy is somewhere in that region- and therefore better equipped to make his argument.
<-- Entry / Current Comment
sanepride said @ 5:36pm GMT on 9th November [Score:1 Funsightful]
Of course anyone is free to decide who or what they want to have sex and relationships with. This does not preclude being hardwired for a particular preference. His argument is after all based on choices influenced by a belief system- just like the folks who say you don't have to be gay to satisfy some religious dictate. Luckily we do have a behavioral complexity that allows for flexibility, but I'd think that going against one's wired nature will usually be a struggle- maybe even a damaging one. Speaking as a lazy person I generally advocate the path of least resistance, but some folks do enjoy a challenge.
It's also worth noting that it's likely people aren't simply born gay or straight, but also many levels in between. Maybe this guy is somewhere in that region- and therefore better equipped to make his argument.
