Discussion Board Post: Homosexuality
Personally, I don’t believe that the answer to sexual orientation is as easy as defining it as a biological predisposition, or a conscious choice. Because of this, I consider it to be a nature vs nurture issue. People may be biologically susceptible to developing an attraction to members of the same sex, but that doesn’t mean they will. An example of a similar concept (not to in any way portray homosexuality as a mental illness or dysfunction in ANY way) is depression. In many cases, the chemical imbalances that are recognized as clinical depression are hereditary, but do not always manifest themselves. But if a person does carry the genetic predisposition for depression, a trigger (such as a traumatic experience) can cause them to become depressed. (Not to say that anybody can’t become depressed.) Similarly, a dormant tendency for homosexuality may remain dormant, whether due to conscious suppression or unconscious repression. But a trigger, such as a pleasurable homosexual encounter, or cultural acceptance, may cause this dormant tendency to emerge. Though biology does play an important factor, sexual orientation is a part of a person’s identity, and when it all comes down to it, it is one’s own conscious that decides how they wish to define themselves as a person.
Ke said,
February 5, 2010 at 7:22 am
Completely agree with this view. I also for some reason view sexuality as a spectrum, where I find it hard to believe anyone is completely gay or straight. Well written! ^_^
nekachubz said,
February 6, 2010 at 3:31 am
This is an interesting take on homosexuality. Unfortunately, thinking of it as a biological predisposition has caused this find-and-irraticate-the-gay-gene mentality amongst some anti-homosexual groups. I highly doubt that there is, in fact, a “gay gane,” but of course… I’m in IT not bio. I personally feel like it is just a personal preference, like how some artist prefer to paint and others prefer to sculpt– both end up making something beautiful just in different ways, not to say that they wouldn’t dabble in the others media, there fore agreeing with Mr./Mrs. Ke who commented before me.
You stated that its all about the trigger, and I totally agree [minus the preset biological base for it]. It’s all about what is acceptable around you and whether you decide to surpress/repress or go for what you want based on that.
So I guess what I’m trying to say is, I agree on your overall view but not with the biological preset for homosexuality. The end. Well said opinion, my friend.