Debunking the “I was born Gay” Myth.

by Staff June 8, 2012 13 Comments News Opinion Weekly Columns

Like Love Haha Wow Sad Angry

(ThyBlackMan.com) This never ceases to amaze me. Have you heard the old adage that goes something like this: “If keep you repeating a lie long enough it seems true”?

Well that is the case with the “I was born Gay” mantra.

The phrase “I was born Gay” is commonly used today by the LBGT community, gay activists and many on the left and even some on the right. This phrase was first uttered in the halls of academia by intellectuals who sought to prove that same-sex orientation was caused by biological or genetic traits that are immutable, the same as skin color, eye color or gender. To date a multitude of studies in a multitude of areas have been conducted regarding same-sex orientation:

Twin Studies

Epigenetic Studies

Birth Order Studies

Female Fertility Studies

Pheromone Studies

Studies of brain structures

Chromosome Linkage studies…. by behaviorists, psychiatrists, neuroscientists, social scientists, geneticist etc. All have been done to prove some genetic connection to homosexuality, in order to get the much coveted crown of a “minority group” and by default a “protected class” status.

But time and time again each study has proven to be inconclusive, meaning it could not be replicated in a similar study or deemed erroneous based on the measurements used by the researcher. A few years ago the human genome project did extensive work in the science of genetics. The “gay gene” was ever found. This totally contradicted a 1993 study by Dean Hamer who started the “gay gene” phenomenon that the media and the liberal/progressive medical science community couldn’t wait to trumpet as proof of a genetic reason for same-sex orientation. At the time the APA (American Psychological Association) issued a statement in 1998 regarding this subject saying:

“There is considerable recent evidence to suggest that biology, including genetic or inborn hormonal factors, play a significant role in a person’s sexuality.”

But after the Genome Project and many other inconclusive studies raised significant doubts about the genetics of homosexuality, they revised their stance in 2009 saying:

“There is no consensus among scientists about the exact reasons that an individual develops a heterosexual, bisexual, gay, or lesbian orientation. Although much research has examined the possible genetic, hormonal, developmental, social, and cultural influences on sexual orientation, no findings have emerged that permit scientists to conclude that sexual orientation is determined by any particular factor or factors. Many think that nature and nurture both play complex roles; most people experience little or no sense of choice about their sexual orientation”.

Notice that the last sentence of the statement is based on opinion not science!

In essence; there is no conclusive evidence (and there never will be) for a genetic or biological reason for a same-sex attraction. But insurmountable evidence points to such things as environment, experiences, and generational pre-dispositions, all play a significant role in sexual behavior.

Yet the “I was born Gay” mantra remained a fixture in pop culture. Liberal/Progressive academic and political circles continued to advance their agenda. And this myth has permeated every area of society. In every sector it is quoted as a fact and has been heralded as a proven scientific truth by some educators, activists, clergy, entertainers, media pundits and lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle. Jurists have created new constitutional rights based on it. Politicians have passed erroneous non-discriminatory laws because of it.

Psychiatrist and therapists are under pressure from the mental health boards and commissions’ to affirm their inconclusive findings or face possible reprimands, even revoking of their licenses unless they comply. They risk lawsuits by clients, if they dare suggest that same–sex attraction is a result of choice or behavior.

Conversion-Therapy is frowned upon by the mental-health hierarchy and a proposal by the California State legislature to ban it has already passed the Senate. Why because some have said it could lead to suicide, with no substantial evidence to back that claim.

Athletes are hit with five and six figure fines if they utter the “F” word in the heat of a game. Companies are made to do PSA commercials that support gay’s rights if someone in their organization says something remotely offensive to the LGBT community. If it contains the words: choice, lifestyle or behavior, it qualifies as hate speech. Just ask one of Obama’s most trusted advisors Valarie Jarrett!

Private companies like eHarmony and Elane Photography and others are forced into court battles and made to pay fines by Human Rights Commissions because of ignorant jurisprudence and unconstitutional laws that have declared their behavior a “protected class” that trumps the First Amendment!

It is time that this myth is challenged for exactly what it is …a myth or more directly…. repetition LIES! An agenda-driven, pseudo-science myth! Pushed by those who seek to create a society based on their own perverted image of freedom. They know that if you keep repeating a lie long enough, then the truth becomes harder to recognize and to defend!

It’s time to stop this fallacious repetition…So that truth can emerge.

Staff Writer; Donald Thornton

Host of Xservativestalk – Talk Radio of The Future Today!

5pm Sundays CST on 100.7fm or online http://thewordfm.com or visit this talented brother over at; http://www.xservativestalk.com.

0 Shares

Flip

Umm Yeah says:
June 11, 2012 at 1:28 pm
Quick thoughts:
From an evolutionary standpoint, homosexuality is not practical. It has no capability of pushing genes for survival into the future.
From a purely biological standpoint it is not practical. Look at how the parts fit.
I think the author did a great job at illustrating the inconclusiveness of the ‘I was born gay’ studies. This is important because the immutability of the genetic condition is essential to many of the legal and moral arguments on the subject.
For example, when Sheryl Swoops came out and said she “chose” to be with a woman, the gay community went nuts. Because it is a political war they are fighting, and much like the arguments on abortion, it is less about rational debate, and more about propaganda in large part on both sides.
In regard to discrimination…I absolutely have no doubt that in many places gays would be discriminated against. There is a difference between being discriminated against and being a protected class that is discriminated against in the eyes of the law.
From a purely social and economic standpoint, gays tend to have higher than average per capita incomes, better access to education etc. So it is hard for me to move from single acts of discrimination, to macro consequences across the group, similar to what we see occurs with Blacks.
Now here is what I do believe. That regardless of whether it is biological or a choice, they have the right to engage in that kind of sexual behavior if they choose too. This is America. What I don’t believe however is that they should have protected class status, or be compared to historically ‘oppressed’ groups that come up under government protection.
Reply
Arthur Lewin says:
June 11, 2012 at 12:51 pm
My comments were not intended to restrict free speech but only to encourage it. For example, everyone is free to shout “Fire!” in a crowded theatre, but maybe we should not do that. All I was asking is that we be careful not to cross the line where our words might be construed to cause violence. I was not saying that you were necessarily doing that. Only that we all keep that in mind and not let this or any discussion go that far. Your use of invective in responding to me, again, that is your right. That is your free speech. But that crosses the line of civil discourse, in my estimation. So I am out of this discussion. Have a good day.
Reply
harryo says:
June 11, 2012 at 11:20 am
Mack…gay people aren’t discriminated against. I live in San Francisco and I see discrimination against gays all the time. In San Francisco there is great demand for housing; in some cases as many as 500 people applying for an apartment. I know several landlords who won’t rent to people they “perceived” to be gay, so discrimnation against gays is alive and well, particularly among those in the religious community.
You say what gays do sexually is against nature. There are hetrosexual women who like anal sex from men and many, many women love getting oral sex from men. Neither one of these practices are considered “unnatural” when it occurs in a hetrosexual relationship but for some reason it is when two people of the same sex do it.
At one time not too long ago we were told it was abnormal for people to have sexual desires for people outside of their race. Also thanks to artificial insemination, same sex couples can and do have children.
Finally the stats show that more people are victims of male-female child molestation, with Oprah just one of many women who have been molested by older men.
Reply
Mack says:
June 11, 2012 at 10:23 am
@Arthur Lewin: Now we’re rolling with restricting free speech?! Funny how you don’t ask gays to restrict their speech when they speak out FOR homosexuality. Even though to billions of Christians, Orthodox Jews, Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists: homosexuality can damn one’s soul to an eternity of suffering. So basically screw what these billions think and believe: let’s only curb what we speak and write as it might reflect negatively on thoughts about gays.
SMH
And excuse my frankness, but how in the fuck could anyone know what their child is going to be as an infant?! That’s like saying: “Yea, I knew my daughter would grow up to marry a white guy since she was an infant. The signs were already there!” Do you hear the foolishness in this? What you’re saying is that the infant has no choices in life, all things are pretty much predetermined for it. So much for free will and freedom of choice.
You can’t restrict people’s freedom to express their thoughts. Do that and America ceases to be America. People say the most vile, racist stuff about blacks all the time: whether it’s Obama, his lovely wife Michelle, or the little black girl who played in the movie The Hunger Games. But does that stop us from living life or going for our dreams? Not me! And it shouldn’t stop you from going for yours if people don’t support your stance on homosexuality.
Please stop with these smokescreens…
Reply
Arthur Lewin says:
June 10, 2012 at 9:23 pm
One day a fellow teacher asked me to cover his class for him and play a film for his students. I agreed. When the film started I was disappointed to see that it was a film about homosexuals. However, what I saw in the opening scenes changed my perspective on this topic forever.
It showed a six year old boy prancing about and modeling make-believe dresses. And then it cut to an interview with his mom who was absolutely panic stricken that someday that someone would harm, or even kill, her son because of who he was. My heart went out to her and everyone on earth who has to live with that fear on a daily basis.
Later a cousin of mine who fought for his country and who has two sons now serving in the Marines told me that his third son is gay and that he knew it from he was an infant. Though we are all entitled to our own opinions keep in mind that what we say or write could ultimately bring deadly harm to others. . .
Reply
Mack says:
June 10, 2012 at 12:42 am
Where’s the discrimination taking place against gays on such a wide scale? Show me the stats. Do gays get discriminated against? I’m sure there are isolated cases where this is true. Systematically across the board though: not at all. That argument is actually a red herring.
Gays can live anywhere and where ever they choose; they can work where ever they qualify to work at, and for whatever company. In fact, being gay actually has it’s privileges in some industries, such as the music and motion picture industry. All this talk about discrimination is bullshit.
Where the disconnect between gay and straight happens at is when those who have a proclivity for doing things that are sexually against nature attempt to normalize it to the public. It is abnormal for same genders to sexually desire one another. Nothing biologically fruitful can come from such a union.
What I would really like to see is the research on how sexual molestation at a young age by someone of the same sex affects one’s decision to become gay later on in life. Because of all the gay people I know, when you talk to them and get right down to it, most if not all have this one thing in common.
Reply
Brian Murphy says:
June 9, 2012 at 11:04 am
Whether people are born gay or not doesn’t even matter. It’s a complete red herring to provide people justification to discriminate.
People choose their religion and change it, often several times in the course of their lives. We don’t suggest that religion shouldn’t be a protected class under the US Constitution because it’s chosen.
Reply
Brian Murphy says:
June 9, 2012 at 10:55 am
@Mack – you are conflating two different things and hiding the truth of one inside the truth of the other.
People experience their sexual orientation, the people they are attracted to, organically and without cognition. Even before we understand what gay or straight is or understand sex, we already have feelings and emotions telling us who we are attracted to.
Quoting from the research mentioned above “Many think that nature and nurture both play complex roles; most people experience little or no sense of choice about their sexual orientation”. The first part of this statement speaks to researchers in the field and the public (third-person) understanding, but the second part speaks to the results of the research – the overwhelming majority of people don’t experience any sense of choice over their sexual orientation. It’s not up for debate.
You are right that people choose whether they have sex with a person they’re attracted to. However, pretending that choosing *whether* to have sex, which is clearly under some cognitive control, is the same as choosing the gender of the person you are *involuntarily sexually attracted to* is nonsense.
Choosing not to have sex isn’t the same as changing the gender you’re drawn to have sex with.
Reply
Derrick Kardos says:
June 9, 2012 at 5:03 am
oh– i almost forgot.
your argument is that laws against discrimination towards gays should be repealed based on the fact that no one is actually born gay.
then by the same logic, and because i know youre a man of valor and consistency,
youll have to agree with me when i say that all laws barring religious discrimination be repealed, because we know for an absolute fact that though one may be born into a christian family, as they get older and are able to make the choice for themselves, they often do choose a different religion, or no religion, or to remain with the same religion.
ones religious preference, beyond dispute, is a choice. our constitution in face guaranteea our freedom to choose it. but therefore religion, by your logic, is not eligible for discriminatory protection.
Reply
Derrick Kardos says:
June 9, 2012 at 4:53 am
im gay and i agree with you that no one is born gay. no one is born straight either.
but that doesnt mean that gay people have chosen our sexuality and more than a straight person has chosen theirs.
we are neither born with a predetermined sexuality nor is it in our control.
it is shaped within us by social, cultural and perhaps epigenetic means which are beyond our control.
Reply
Mack says:
June 9, 2012 at 3:52 am
Kudos to the author for daring to tackle such a sticky subject. To the two gentlemen who responded before me: to say that a person has no choice in who they decide to get physical with is nonsense. Everyone has a choice in who they decide to have sex with. And gays are not exempt from this.
Your point makes it sound as if when it comes to sex, humans have no power over what they do with their own bodies. As if two gay dudes suddenly blank out and find themselves naked in bed together, wondering how they got there. Nah homie: that is definitely a choice!
Reply
Nicholas says:
June 9, 2012 at 1:58 am
This article failed to live up to it’s title, all it did was illustrate that there is no evidence to support either position. So, until someone can point out to me, why anybody would chose a life-style that is hated and constantly under attack by the majority of people in this world, I will continue beleive being gay is not a choice. I was born black and there is nothing I can do to change that, nor do I want to.
Reply
Ron Donaghe says:
June 8, 2012 at 4:18 pm
Let’s reverse this article. Let’s determine if being heterosexual has a distinct genetic connection. Are people born heterosexual? Is it a choice that one makes sometime early on in life? Or is it inborn? Can you use reparative therapy to “cure” heterosexuality? Further, why would a heterosexual “choose” to turn gay? And if this is a choice that one can make, why is it so difficult, nay even impossible to reverse this choice? Why do those who have “chosen” to be gay spend countless years fighting their “gay” urges if it is merely a choice? Every argument posed by anti-gay people who presume that being gay is a choice, rather than an inborn predisposition, must ask themselves the reverse. Is heterosexuality likewise a choice? Further, the anti-gay person who thinks being gay is a choice must think that, while they themselves are immune from making this decision, others who have chosen to be gay must be more subject to influence than they are. The not-born-that-way argument is patently ridiculous.
Reply