Why do so many accepting straight people use the term "preference" when they should use "orientation"?

Question

Preference implies a choice wheras orientation describes a state of being. I feel these folks should catch up on terminology. Words carry power. It makes a big difference in social acceptance.

Dan Ryan, thanks for your comment, however, you are using the wrong definition of the word, "orientation" You can research here and then maybe try to answer again. -thanks

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual_orientation

Answer 1

Because many heterosexuals and even many of our own brothers and sisters haven't yet realized that 1.a person doesn't prefer one thing over another as though they made a choice between the two and 2.because to say someone prefers one over another has always been easier then saying they made a choice or I am what I am.but you're right.We need to stop this cycle of assuming people make choices about something that clearly they don't and thus do not prefer but have a developed orientation.

Answer 2

because it very much is a choice. i had one week of orientation at work last month to teach me my job and skills i need to do that job better. so what your saying is that when you went through your "orientation" you were taught how to do that job, thus giving you a choice! to either do that job or walk off that job, go home and make the good all American choice.


lewie. i would love the opportunity to talk to you more in depth about my feelings towards this but it is my belief that you have a choice whether you "go" one way or the other and you wont change what i think so ultimately it is pointless.... now let me be clear on something. I'm not some bible thumpin as s ho le or any other out there crap like that. just a hard work in married man that thinks what he wants and tells everyone i can what my opinion is, whether you want it or not.

sincerely,
Dan Ryan

Answer 3

That's a good point. I bet that they haven't really thought it through, but are just parroting the accepting-sounding words that they have most often heard. It can be tough to be exactly politically-correct all the time, even if you're well-intentioned. Plus, some people are offended by extreme correctness because it could imply that they are too tight-wound to appreciate a person's good intentions over their casualness of language. I'm sure if they thought about it, though, they would use "orientation."

Dan - Woah! Patriotism is not at issue here. Your parallel with an at-work seminar is amusing, but makes no sense in this context! Unfortunately, our sexdrives come with no intro class. There is no teacher telling us what to do. We have to figure it out for ourselves (not for each other).

Answer 4

Some straight people still think that it is a preference rather than an orientation. Hopefully, with education and time, straights will become better educated.

Answer 5

maybe because alot of people like to think it's a preference so they can have it make sense to themselves (if they don't agree or are not comfortable)
i agree with you, words carry much power. but, i don't think for those who oppose the gay population, that words will make a difference to them.

Answer 6

Preference seem to fit the situation BETTER>

Answer 7

Hmmm good point. I never use either- it makes no difference to me what sex someone is attracted to, period. I just call my gay friends Jeffery, Estelle, Evie, Damon and so on, and they call me Tom.

Answer 8

It doesn't occur to straights that it's a problem. Acceptance should be enough.

Answer 9

Politely explain to them what you just explained to us.

Answer 10

don't know. but good question