Poll of the Day > Are you one of those people who thinks being Gay is a CHOICE or were born Gay???

(+) Yeah! (+)

this has been a divided opinion between conservatives and liberals on why a person is gay...but which is your opinion?.

http://goboiano.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Pooh-Bear-evolution.jpg
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I don't think Winnie the Pooh has romantic interests
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Your poll is missing the option: "Early childhood trauma"
For boys, from traumatic birth experiences to traumatic experiences (usually with women) possibly up to the ages of 5 or 6.

I'd say it's "all of the above" though, so any of the three individual options.
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I think it's a choice, but it should still be respected.
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If I can't make the choice or see any scenario where I could. How could I just believe everyone who is gay signs up for the social torture by choice?

BlackScythe0 posted...

If I can't make the choice or see any scenario where I could. How could I just believe everyone who is gay signs up for the social torture by choice?

We don't. It's not a choice. Unless some very small portion of people have chosen. But that would be a VERY small portion, if that portion even exist...
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Given the options I guess it's a combination of both. My theory is that sexual preferences are similar to the DnD alignment system. On one axis is natural tendency, on the other is social influence. For someone to be born a certain way would mean they are neutral in regard to social influence but greatly swayed one way or the other by natural tendency. The opposite doesn't so much mean they have choice but experience and the type of activities they engage in will shape their preferences.
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I think it's kind of a false question, shouldn't it not matter? Choice or not, who cares? Be gay, don't be gay, whatever.

Saying "they didn't have a choice" is sort of partial granting that there's something wrong with it, just that they can't fix it, so we all have to live with it.
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Neither

People are born gay.
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i think it's different for everybody and applying a 100% black and white scale to it is stupid. i also agree with sahuagin. let people be.

also @JanwayDaahl i wanna see ur opinion tho pls
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A choice and I'm pro-LGBT, so make of that what you will. I think the issue with this question is what defines "choice". Cause you can definitely choose who you sleep with and date. Nobody can force you to do that. Now whether or not there's any deeply rooted instinct or drive to persue certain partners is a different issue that to the best of my knowledge, no study or research has ever proven true or false.

Don't know, I'm not gay.

Not a choice. The reason I say this is because I'm gay. I could sleep with a woman, but I wouldn't be attracted to her. And I believe that being gay means attracted to the same sex. That's how I see it at least. And I never chose to be attracted to guys. I just always was...
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Definitely born that way, but sexuality is fluid as hell. I wont go into detail unless someone asks, but I was absolutely into women around 7th/8th grade, and I ended up exclusively attracted to other guys after that point. And I never had any big traumatic experiences that suddenly made me gay instead of straight or bi, or whatever.
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Anyone who thinks it's a choice is a closeted bisexual.

Surprise.
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LinkPizza posted...

Not a choice. The reason I say this is because I'm gay. I could sleep with a woman, but I wouldn't be attracted to her. And I believe that being gay means attracted to the same sex. That's how I see it at least. And I never chose to be attracted to guys. I just always was...

See, that's what I meant! The definition needs to be there so we're all on the same page. It could go either way based on the criteria.

Generally speaking I don't believe anyone is born as anything, it's something (not just sexual orientation) that develops as you become more aware of yourself and your surroundings.
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I honestly think your sexual preference is as much of a choice as your favorite food.

Whether or not you practice homosexuality is a choice, obviously (same as heterosexuality), but the underlying preference is obviously going to be some combination of genetic and environmental factors (like any other subjective preference). Also,
Sahuagin posted...

I think it's kind of a false question, shouldn't it not matter? Choice or not, who cares? Be gay, don't be gay, whatever.

Saying "they didn't have a choice" is sort of partial granting that there's something wrong with it, just that they can't fix it, so we all have to live with it.

That. It's entirely a moot point. Whether they chose to be gay or not, it's not like it affects anyone else, so let them be.
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Born that way, not a choice. Who would choose to be persecuted for their sexuality? You hear about Republicans railing against the gay menace but they get caught in a gay tryst. It's not a choice.

Who is more attractive Phoebe Cates in Fast Times at Ridgemont High or some dude named George (George Takei, George Wendt, George Clooney or George Jetson)? It's not the Pepsi challenge taste test, you know what you like.

Phoebe Cates "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" Pool Scene

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ovqke9RiMXs" data-time="

Come Out As Gay With George Takei - CONAN on TBS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNjuB_lwgQE" data-time="

botsrule posted...

Born that way, not a choice. Who would choose to be persecuted for their sexuality?

No one chooses to be persecuted, but that doesn't mean sexuality is not a choice.

wah_wah_wah posted...

botsrule posted...

Born that way, not a choice. Who would choose to be persecuted for their sexuality?

No one chooses to be persecuted, but that doesn't mean sexuality is not a choice.

Avoiding persecution is a choice. Thinking/feeling that a female/male is desirable is not a choice. I can't remember any straight person who ever thought, should I chase women or men? Have you sat down and thought about the pros and cons about being gay or straight? For me someone having a penis would be a deal breaker, a huge con. lol

The heart wants what the heart wants. Or maybe a different organ.

Seinfeld Not that there's anything wrong with that

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oj3VphK9AMk" data-time="

Most people, if given the choice when they were younger would definitely choose straight. You wouldn't be an outcast or think differently than you friends. And growing up and having a family is much easier. You would be able to love the person you love without people thinking it's gross or wrong. I can't ever believe it's just an easy choice. Or that anyone can just choose. You can choose to have sex with anyone, but you don't just choose who you are just attracted to...
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LinkPizza posted...

Most people, if given the choice when they were younger would definitely choose straight. You wouldn't be an outcast or think differently than you friends. And growing up and having a family is much easier. You would be able to love the person you love without people thinking it's gross or wrong. I can't ever believe it's just an easy choice. Or that anyone can just choose. You can choose to have sex with anyone, but you don't just choose who you are just attracted to...

Bingo!

mrduckbear posted...

Do you believe that someone is gay because it was a choice or they were born gay?

I don't believe anyone is born with a sexuality but as the brain develops and whatever folk become attracted to people not out of choice.
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Want to drive the anti-gay people nuts? When they say "it's a choice!" ask "when did you choose to be straight?". Hilarious watching them stutter for a comeback.
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TyVulpine posted...

Want to drive the anti-gay people nuts? When they say "it's a choice!" ask "when did you choose to be straight?". Hilarious watching them stutter for a comeback.

That is one that people use a lot. I'm surprise they haven't thought of a decent comeback yet...
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TyVulpine posted...

Want to drive the anti-gay people nuts? When they say "it's a choice!" ask "when did you choose to be straight?". Hilarious watching them stutter for a comeback.

I don't get why anyone would care about someones sexuality unless they are interested sexually in said person.
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LinkPizza posted...

TyVulpine posted...

Want to drive the anti-gay people nuts? When they say "it's a choice!" ask "when did you choose to be straight?". Hilarious watching them stutter for a comeback.

That is one that people use a lot. I'm surprise they haven't thought of a decent comeback yet...

If you are ever dealing with a religious zealot bring up the sin of Sodom, it will drive them nuts. Sin of Sodom is the lack of hospitality to ones fellow man.

http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/16-49.htm
New Living Translation
Sodom's sins were pride, gluttony, and laziness, while the poor and needy suffered outside her door.

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it (Hebrews 13:2).

botsrule posted...

LinkPizza posted...

TyVulpine posted...

Want to drive the anti-gay people nuts? When they say "it's a choice!" ask "when did you choose to be straight?". Hilarious watching them stutter for a comeback.

That is one that people use a lot. I'm surprise they haven't thought of a decent comeback yet...

If you are ever dealing with a religious zealot bring up the sin of Sodom, it will drive them nuts. Sin of Sodom is the lack of hospitality to ones fellow man.

http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/16-49.htm
New Living Translation
Sodom's sins were pride, gluttony, and laziness, while the poor and needy suffered outside her door.

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it (Hebrews 13:2).

This too. :3
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I'm pretty sure I didn't choose to be this way, yeah.
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RazorX2003 posted...

Your poll is missing the option: "Early childhood trauma"
For boys, from traumatic birth experiences to traumatic experiences (usually with women) possibly up to the ages of 5 or 6.

I'd say it's "all of the above" though, so any of the three individual options.

Wait Im confused

You think boys become gay due to trauma but not girls?
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lol
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It's definitely not a choice. And I never experienced any childhood trauma or anything like that to influence how I feel.
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Depends how you define it, as you do have a choice to not act on your sexual desires so you can be not gay by not doing gay things (assuming things in your head hold no weight until expressed).
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botsrule posted...

Avoiding persecution is a choice. Thinking/feeling that a female/male is desirable is not a choice. I can't remember any straight person who ever thought, should I chase women or men? Have you sat down and thought about the pros and cons about being gay or straight?

There is such a thing a situational sexuality. Happens in prison.

wah_wah_wah posted...

botsrule posted...

Born that way, not a choice. Who would choose to be persecuted for their sexuality?

No one chooses to be persecuted, but that doesn't mean sexuality is not a choice.

They don't choose to be persecuted, since that decision falls on the persecutors, but they can choose to do something that they know will result in being persecuted. If avoiding homophobic attacks were as simple as choosing not to be homosexually attracted to anyone, why would anyone be gay?
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adjl posted...

wah_wah_wah posted...

botsrule posted...

Born that way, not a choice. Who would choose to be persecuted for their sexuality?

No one chooses to be persecuted, but that doesn't mean sexuality is not a choice.

They don't choose to be persecuted, since that decision falls on the persecutors, but they can choose to do something that they know will result in being persecuted. If avoiding homophobic attacks were as simple as choosing not to be homosexually attracted to anyone, why would anyone be gay?

It is a pitying argument. Oh who would CHOOSE such a horrible fate as to be gay? I mean, maybe people who are gay dont see their sexual orientation as this resentful curse. Just a thought. The persecution says more about the person doing it than it does about them. This also defines all those who engage in gay sex acts to be cowards if only given the opportunity.

wah_wah_wah posted...

adjl posted...

wah_wah_wah posted...

botsrule posted...

Born that way, not a choice. Who would choose to be persecuted for their sexuality?

No one chooses to be persecuted, but that doesn't mean sexuality is not a choice.

They don't choose to be persecuted, since that decision falls on the persecutors, but they can choose to do something that they know will result in being persecuted. If avoiding homophobic attacks were as simple as choosing not to be homosexually attracted to anyone, why would anyone be gay?

It is a pitying argument. Oh who would CHOOSE such a horrible fate as to be gay? I mean, maybe people who are gay dont see their sexual orientation as this resentful curse. Just a thought. The persecution says more about the person doing it than it does about them. This also defines all those who engage in gay sex acts to be cowards if only given the opportunity.

And that's why the whole "it is/is not a choice" thing is pretty dumb, since saying "you can't hate them because they don't have a choice" carries the implication that it'd be okay to hate them if it were a choice. it really doesn't matter if it's a choice or not. Hating people for reasons that don't affect you in the slightest is just bad in general.
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wah_wah_wah posted...

botsrule posted...

Avoiding persecution is a choice. Thinking/feeling that a female/male is desirable is not a choice. I can't remember any straight person who ever thought, should I chase women or men? Have you sat down and thought about the pros and cons about being gay or straight?

There is such a thing a situational sexuality. Happens in prison.

To be fair though a rapist is a rapist they'll carry out their sick actions in or outside of prison regardless of who their target's gender is. For people like that it's less about sexuality, and more about domination and fear/control. As for the others in prison if it's not a rapist it's typically a victim that's forced into it one way or the other.
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It's definitely a choice. My best bud of over 30+ years bangs dudes exclusively now. But banged girls until the middle of high school. When asked, he just says "I like dudes more."
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wV1FrqwZyKw" data-time="&start=0

longnuts posted...

It's definitely a choice. My best bud of over 30+ years bangs dudes exclusively now. But banged girls until the middle of high school. When asked, he just says "I like dudes more."

but dude likes both to begin with, of course he can choose which one he likes more.

dioxxys posted...

longnuts posted...

It's definitely a choice. My best bud of over 30+ years bangs dudes exclusively now. But banged girls until the middle of high school. When asked, he just says "I like dudes more."

but dude likes both to begin with, of course he can choose which one he likes more.

That sounds more like he was bi, then decided that while he liked having sex with both, maybe he had better sex with guys. Not that he switched teams or anything. Like he may still like girls.

Or he was gay to begin with and only fucked girls because it was "what he was suppose to do". One of my close friends had a dad who was gay. He had like 5 kids with his wife before he realized he wasn't straight and that it wasn't for him. He sure did try, though...
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If being gay was a choice then there would be less gay people.
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wah_wah_wah posted...

botsrule posted...

Avoiding persecution is a choice. Thinking/feeling that a female/male is desirable is not a choice. I can't remember any straight person who ever thought, should I chase women or men? Have you sat down and thought about the pros and cons about being gay or straight?

There is such a thing a situational sexuality. Happens in prison.

I've heard that claim by Ben Carson, the dude who thinks that grain was stored inside of the pyramids. Joseph from the Bible (Coat of Many Colors) interpreted a dream where the the King had dreams of 7 healthy cows being eaten by 7 skinny cows. Joseph knew that God was telling the King that there would be 7 years of plenty followed by 7 years of famine. The King stored grain to survive the times of want.

There isn't room in the pyramids to store grain. Grain silos are tall and have a lot of volume, great for storing grain. Stone pyramids,not so much. I'd be extremely cautious about anything that Ben Carson believes in. LMAO

Ben Carson was referring to a single study in a max prison about some prisoners who switched. Even the author of the study, Christopher Hensley disagrees with Ben Carson's ideas about sexual conversion.

In prison you can be coerced into sex. Have debts. Be looking for protection from other predators while locked up. Could wants some extra commissary. Weird thing about that study, one dude went in gay and apparently turned straight. That proves nada.
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2015/mar/04/ben-carson/ben-carson-many-prisoners-go-straight-come-out-gay/

Since you think that being gay is a choice, that means that you have had to struggle about your own sexuality. I don't care if you are gay, straight, bi, in the closet, etc. Not really 100% accurate, I'd care if you were or anyone was in the closet, I'd never out anyone but I'd feel a bad for them. Me personally I easily see the white picket fence. On one side there are guys who are gay and are happy to be gay, that's fine. On the other side are straight people and they are happy to be on the other side of that white picket fence, that's fine. There are others who don't care about the white picket fence and are happy to "date" gays or straights, that's fine too.

You are adamant about sex being a choice. I'd like to hear how you decided to be straight!

I've heard that gay people are afraid that they might be secretly straight or possibly lean straight. There was an actor on the BBCA cable channel who was getting tested in an MRI about his brain being aroused by males or females. (((Watch video first, don't look at spoilers, cool video.))) They played a prank on John and they made think he might be straight or possibly lean that way. John Barrowman isn't straight, not in the least and he was happy as a clam to find out there weren't some stray random heterosexual thoughts lurking in his skull. lol

Brain scan results - Making of Me: John Barrowman - BBC

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pe58_vd_5g4" data-time="

botsrule posted...

wah_wah_wah posted...

botsrule posted...

Avoiding persecution is a choice. Thinking/feeling that a female/male is desirable is not a choice. I can't remember any straight person who ever thought, should I chase women or men? Have you sat down and thought about the pros and cons about being gay or straight?

There is such a thing a situational sexuality. Happens in prison.

I've heard that claim by Ben Carson, the dude who thinks that grain was stored inside of the pyramids. Joseph from the Bible (Coat of Many Colors) interpreted a dream where the the King had dreams of 7 healthy cows being eaten by 7 skinny cows. Joseph knew that God was telling the King that there would be 7 years of plenty followed by 7 years of famine. The King stored grain to survive the times of want.

There isn't room in the pyramids to store grain. Grain silos are tall and have a lot of volume, great for storing grain. Stone pyramids,not so much. I'd be extremely cautious about anything that Ben Carson believes in. LMAO

Ben Carson was referring to a single study in a max prison about some prisoners who switched. Even the author of the study, Christopher Hensley disagrees with Ben Carson's ideas about sexual conversion.

In prison you can be coerced into sex. Have debts. Be looking for protection from other predators while locked up. Could wants some extra commissary. Weird thing about that study, one dude went in gay and apparently turned straight. That proves nada.
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2015/mar/04/ben-carson/ben-carson-many-prisoners-go-straight-come-out-gay/

Since you think that being gay is a choice, that means that you have had to struggle about your own sexuality. I don't care if you are gay, straight, bi, in the closet, etc. Not really 100% accurate, I'd care if you were or anyone was in the closet, I'd never out anyone but I'd feel a bad for them. Me personally I easily see the white picket fence. On one side there are guys who are gay and are happy to be gay, that's fine. On the other side are straight people and they are happy to be on the other side of that white picket fence, that's fine. There are others who don't care about the white picket fence and are happy to "date" gays or straights, that's fine too.

You are adamant about sex being a choice. I'd like to hear how you decided to be straight!

I've heard that gay people are afraid that they might be secretly straight or possibly lean straight. There was an actor on the BBCA cable channel who was getting tested in an MRI about his brain being aroused by males or females. (((Watch video first, don't look at spoilers, cool video.))) They played a prank on John and they made think he might be straight or possibly lean that way. John Barrowman isn't straight, not in the least and he was happy as a clam to find out there weren't some stray random heterosexual thoughts lurking in his skull. lol

Brain scan results - Making of Me: John Barrowman - BBC

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pe58_vd_5g4" data-time="

You're caught up in an argument that doesn't even matter, is my point. Even if it were a choice, why should adults not be allowed to make their own choices?

@wah_wah_wah

......."doesn't mean sexuality is not a choice." (You didn't quite state any opinions or facts.)

There is such a thing a situational sexuality. Happens in prison. (The author of that prison study disagrees with you.)

You're caught up in an argument that doesn't even matter, is my point. Even if it were a choice, why should adults not be allowed to make their own choices?

(I'm stating my opinion, I'm straight. Gays are expressing their opinions, they are gay. I never said that people can't choose who to have sex with or be attracted to and neither did you. The OP didn't even ask if people should be allowed to have choices in their sexual partners.)

......doesn't even matter.........
On that point we do have a bone of contention. I've lost two friends to suicide, they died way too young. Neither was gay both were heterosexual teen males. Both went out horribly, they were neither quick nor painless. I get emotional thinking about them suffering and the foolish decisions they made. It wasn't until months later that I found out about their deaths, I had moved away earlier in the year. If I had been there maybe I could have spoken to them, given them a shoulder to cry on but I wasn't there and that haunts me. They thought their lives were not worth living over teenage bullshit.

Being a straight heterosexual teen isn't the easiest thing in the word. The number one way for teens to die is being young and stupid behind the wheel of a car. Number two way for them to die is young and stupid teens killing themselves.

For LGBT teens the numbers are far far worse than for heterosexuals. Homelessness, helplessness, despondency, depression and suicide are way too common. I salute every LGBT person who has to stand up to alienation and persecution. Life is hard enough without having a target on your back.

Here's a good one for ya. The more brothers you have means you are more likely to be gay. Science thinks they know why. Antibody production with each male child, it becomes stronger every male birth.
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2156010-we-may-know-why-younger-brothers-are-more-likely-to-be-gay/

Gays are more likely to be left handed than straights, especially lesbians.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2000/07/000710071931.htm

You even observe fetuses having a preferred hand for sucking their thumbs in the womb.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3912943.stm

Then again maybe Dave Foley is right and there is an invisible man in the sky, who has poor gay quality control, every 10th creation is gay. lol

Dave Foley - God's Production Problems

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjkobobYahU" data-time="

botsrule posted...

There is such a thing a situational sexuality. Happens in prison. (The author of that prison study disagrees with you.)

There is a Western notion that sexuality is this fixed, eternal thing. In my own life, I've seen and heard so many examples of the opposite, that I cannot believe this is true anymore. Even outside of prison where it regularly happens (even outside of rape). I think people's sexual choices are far more effected by their environment than many would like to believe. I mean, people can point to a life of missionary-only Christian-approved heterosexual sex and be like, See Im straight!... but thats not proof of something eternal about them. They cant really say that in all situations ever, they would always be straight or have straight impulses, because they havent been in all situations ever. How can they really know?