| | SexualityPage 1 of 2 (1, 2) | This morning I had a very curious idea jump in to my head. I don't know if anyone else has noticed, but since homosexuality has become 'acceptable' it seems apparent that actually there really are a lot of people being born this way.
I personally feel that you can't deny the way you are meant to be and shouldn't try and fight it, especially if it is a genetic decision made before you were even born.
My question is... If it is genetic, is it something that can be detected before birth and corrected? If this is or was possible would people prefer this to happen? Ie as the parent or the child themselves?
Myself as a woman, if I had been born to be lesbian, I think my main concern would have been having a baby. As someone who has been asked to have bi-sexual activity and couldn't do it as it's just not the way I am; I know I couldn't have had sex with a man purely to produce a baby and as being a mother is fundamental to who I am, this would have been problematic to me and I think ultimately would have led to me wishing to be heterasexual.
What is your opinion? Should someone be researching how to correct the gene that is creating sexual differences or should it be left well alone?
ps. I'm sorry if I have offended anyone, but no one ever seems to discuss this and i'm curious. | |
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Posted: 5/13/2007 2:11:59 AM | I dont think it really matters, if they were born this way or decided it was the way for them!
We are who we are ... wether we decide or not.
If it is genetic, is it something that can be detected before birth and corrected?
Why should this be corrected?!
I think not!!
Some men fancy women .. some men fancy men ..
Vise versa, some both! Not a problem in my eyes!
Simple as that!
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Posted: 5/13/2007 2:19:39 AM | I think 'corrected' is a bad word to use - as if it is wrong.
Like this new test where you can find out the sex of a baby...
I have quite a few gay friends and it makes no odds to me that they are gay in the least, they are human beings and great people to know, just the same as all my other friends.
I do feel sorry for those who grow up realising that they feel like a woman in a man's body - that must be hell to go through... | |
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Posted: 5/13/2007 2:21:34 AM | if it could be detected at birth that my son might be gay when he is older then i would not want that changed, i love my son for who he is not who is might turn out to be.
why should people be ashamed of the sexuality just because a few narrow minded people dont like it | |
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Posted: 5/13/2007 2:24:05 AM | So it wouldn't bother you if you couldn't have grandchildren?
I've already told my son (who is now a teenager) that I will love him always regardless of his sexuality etc, he looks at me like i'm nuts, but wanted him to know that he has nothing to fear if he did go that route, but I would like to be a gran one day. Although there is no guarantee of that even if he is heterasexual as he may not find someone to have a family with.
I think the answers are showing a misunderstanding of my question. It's more about reproduction and having 2 people create new life. If your life partner is the same sex then that pleasure is denied you. A woman who is lesbian still has the maternal urge. So when it comes to reproduction there is a problem. Why ignore that fact? Yes you can have artificial insemination, but then we're happy to tamper with nature then, but it's wrong to do it before then?
No one (least of all me is saying that 'gay' is wrong) It was actually a conversation I had with a cross gender friend I have that stimulated this question. He/She was very knowledgable of the scientific reasons for why he was like he is and found it easier to accept himself for knowing it was out of his control.
So... this is not about judging peoples sexuality and please don't let it go that way. It's about the way it effects people's lives. | |
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Posted: 5/13/2007 3:13:19 AM | I now see where the emphasis in your question lies.
I've never wanted nor ever want children.
In my view though isn't it seen as a 'gift' to have children or grandchildren?
At the end of the day - my niece for example - I want to see her happy in her life and how ever she lives her life - that's the most important thing for me.
It's a tough question though... | |
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Posted: 5/13/2007 3:41:50 AM | | as long as my son is happy i dont mind never having grandchildren | |
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Posted: 5/13/2007 3:50:19 AM | Msg 1, by the wording of your OP you're suggesting there's something wrong with homosexuality by offering the idea that it needs correcting. That in itself is offensive to anyone who is gay/bi. All these people who bang on about gay people being unnatural ought to go research just how many creatures in the animal kingdom display homosexual behaviour.
When we start meddling with genetics to create a 'perfect' human being with no traits that we deem undesireable, we may as well wave our individuality goodbye and join the Nazi party in our quest for the master race. | |
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Posted: 5/13/2007 3:51:25 AM | | Personally I don't believe you are born homosexual I think it is the influence of the people around you as you are growing up. This is based on a comment a gay friend made to my sister when he said if he had his time again he wouldn't choose to be gay. Now this doesn't strike me a being something decided by your genetic make up. Granted some men/women do appear to have more of a leaning towards the opposite sex in their mannerism and perhaps this could be genetic but some of those people are also straight and happily married for years. | |
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Posted: 5/13/2007 4:14:49 AM | ^^ i fully agree. i'm still waiting to see this conclusive evidence proving that you are born gay. i have an up to date abnormal psychology book in front of me and even a brief review of the subject, shows that there is no conclusive proof. for every bit of reasearch claiming to have found something there's other research to refute the claim.
i think (as with most things of this nature) that the truth probably lies somewhere in the middle. homosexuality is most probably the result of an interaction between genes and environment. (nature and nurture) | |
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Posted: 5/13/2007 4:41:57 AM | Im not sure about being born gay or being genetic.. but My daughter is a lesbian and she has known for years...We have a joke about it as a lot of people on the street where she grew up(girls her age) are also Gay...I say its in the water...
We have a very good relationship and we can talk about anything...
I think as it is accepted more people are admitting to being gay/bi Its been something that has happend for years but due to the stigma it was hushed up.. | |
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Posted: 6/2/2007 11:04:02 AM | I agree with you about the Stigma Jules and personally i'm glad that it is changing as I have no time for anyone who judges some one for a difference, be it colour, sexuality or disability.
I have found the responses really interesting and thank you to those that didn't assume the question was meant as any form of insult.
With the huge steps forward in medical science these days the thought had crossed my mind. After all, they have been telling expectant mums if there was a possibility of down syndrome etc for decades. You could argue the same point with that about Nazi's.
I'm not sure if it is a choice. I've been chatted up by women on the net myself and most of them have been beautiful and I think extremely attactive, but not one bone in my body felt like I wanted to get involved. Perhaps as teenagers we all have crushes and at a tender age of discovery it's not always with the opposite sex, maybe it is this that fixs our path?
One of my best friends at Uni like myself had been married for several years and was seperated. We became very close and one day she told me she had something to tell me. Some how I new what she was going to say. She told me that she hadn't been dating a guy (she had said this a few weeks earlier) but was dating a girl. I could see the concern on her face and I do feel for her as no one should have to worry that people who care about them will reject them for something like this. I smiled and said, 'Is that all'. The ice was broken and she told me all about it. I felt honoured that she felt she could tell me. Her gf was lovely too. | |
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Posted: 6/2/2007 12:10:50 PM | Like some people have already mentioned, it’s controversial weather sexuality comes from genetic rather than environmental causes, i.e.: Nature not Nurture. It’s also likely (and they’re studies/experiments to prove this) that the brain of a foetus is moulded or hardwired to be either male or female due to different levels of circulating hormones (Androgens and Estrogens). This explains differences between males and females, i.e. females can multi task better, are usually better at using language, are more socially and emotionally sensitive, where as men are usually better at maths, logical/reasoning, visual/special tasks, and concentrating on one thing at a time. During this process sexuality could be hardwired as well.
Msg: 12 (bootielicious)
You could argue the same point with that about Nazi's.
It's called eugenics, and you better start getting use to it. It already exists in the form of sperm banks. Potential mothers screen sperm donations by the donor’s attributes, i.e.: smart, tall, this hair colour, that eye colour, etc.
Assuming sexuality is purely genetic, correcting the gene is not possible in a foetus or born baby. It would have to be done at the beginning (the first little cell that's made by the sperm and egg) - It's called a zygote if anyone cares for terminology. Modern medicine may be great, but we're a long way off altering the developed brain to change sexuality as we please.
I'm not sure if it is a choice.
It’s never choice, you don’t choose what happens to you as an infant any more than you choose your genes. | |
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Posted: 6/2/2007 1:26:20 PM |
as long as my son is happy i dont mind never having grandchildren Most gay people do have a couple of hetrosexual relationships though. And many have children, especially women. | |
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Posted: 6/2/2007 2:13:55 PM | I read somewhere that sexuality is part genetic, partly hormonal - on the part of the mother (IE mum's hormones made you what you were)
Incidentally I agree about how the proportion of gay/straight people in society has become a lot more obvious since the 90s, now that most humane people recognise a need not to discriminate on orientation.
As I understand it the natural incidence rate for homosexuality is between 1 child in 8 and 1 in 15, and the figures ain't gonna get any more definite until we know what proportion lie to themselves... | |
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Nergal
| | Joined: 4/29/2007
Msg: 16 | |
| Sexuality
Posted: 6/2/2007 2:19:36 PM | | It may be part genetic and part maternal hormones but the reason its more common these days is its downright trendy. I cant stand the overly camp screaming queens, find them just plain annoying. A mate of mine who has been out of the closet for about 35 years is of the same opinion, in a lot of cases its not queer-bashing its bashing the guy for being totally annoying and in your face with some made up act. | |
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Posted: 6/2/2007 2:22:23 PM | Are you seriously suggesting that people are turning into annoying "screaming queens" because it's trendy?
Go into any town and ask a load of teenagers if they'd like a gay experience. Once your knife wounds are healed you'll have a better understanding of how stupid your last comment was. | |
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Posted: 6/2/2007 2:24:12 PM | Many of my gay friends were not always gay & at least 3 of them have had long lasting & loving relationships with members of the opposite sex before they came out/realised they were gay...
In fact my ex fiancee is now gay, although I'd say more bi-sexual as he still propositions me (albeit in a jokey manner!! hehe)
He is worried about never being a father & I know a few of my female friends who happen to 'dig girls' are also thinking about possibly having children in the future...
I know that a lot of lesbian women turn to their male friends for sperm in an attempt to get pregnant (the ole turkey baster route!!!) and some are thinking about adopting so not ALL gay people will remain childless and as Stonecastle pointed out some gay ppl have children from previous r'ships with members of the opposite sex... So fear not for the future possible grandchildren!!!  | |
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Nergal
| | Joined: 4/29/2007
Msg: 19 | |
| Sexuality
Posted: 6/2/2007 2:29:02 PM | | It wasnt stupid actually, it reflects the opinion of a lot of mainstream gay males. A fair proportion of the population have some measure of bisexuality as with all animals. Young students in particular see it as fashionable to come out as gay and then take it over the top. A lot of gay males fancy men for being real men and not for being camp and mincing about. The screaming queen type is typified by the wannabees that crop up on Big Brother .. its not about sexuality its about being the centre of attention. | |
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Posted: 6/2/2007 4:08:33 PM |
since homosexuality has become 'acceptable'
That's a big presumption and, as became apparent in the last thread on this, usually reflects the views of the female gender rather than the male.
Personally the term I'd use is "fashionable"
(I'm joking before all the women start shouting at me btw!). | |
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Posted: 6/2/2007 4:15:32 PM | It is more acceptable nowadays to be homosexual.
However, as long as people keep banging on about the rights or wrongs of it we will never truly be equal.
We are all just animals co-existing on a large rock.
I don't expect anyone to pass judgement on me if I decide to play mr wobbly hides his helmet with a consenting female, so why should I tell another bloke he can't enjoy a little botty luvin with another bloke.
After all homosexuality isn't compulsory or even mildy contagious.
Live and let live. | |
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Posted: 6/2/2007 4:50:28 PM | | Do you think it could be down to the fact that there are alot of single parents now and maybe there isn't enough influence from both male and female parents for children to have a balanced view of their sexuality? I have never been in any doubt that I am straight but I have always had a very stable family background. | |
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Posted: 6/2/2007 5:21:56 PM | Allegedly...
Since the advent of the contraceptive pill, women have been urinating synthetic hormones...& scientists have noted a vast increase in hermaphrodite fish...which lead them to further studies...they believe the amount of hormones we drink through tap water is affecting humans sexuality too, also, certain plastics have contents that are accepted as a hormone into the body, such as carrier bags & food "take away" containers.
Yes, I'm being serious. 
 <-------- that fish looks camp as Christmas to me  | |
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Posted: 6/2/2007 5:24:24 PM | if you like sprouts up you gary glitter then thats up to you!
i like women therefore
shupupdyaface  | |
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Posted: 6/3/2007 5:05:02 AM | <-------- that fish looks camp as Christmas to me << That is funny Lily
It is very interesting what you have written though. I wasn't aware of any of that. This thread was never about if we should accept different sexuality or not or if we should on mass try and irradicate certain variations, just on the fact there does seem to be more or we are more aware and accepting and would you change sexuality if it was medically possible.
I had never considered that the increase could be caused by something we have done ourselves to upset the balance.
which kind of changes the question slightly to do we stop using things that release synthetic hormones or continue as we don't care about the consequences? | |
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