Being gay. Nature or Nurture?

Question

Please be serious with this one. Also how do you feel about gay marriage?

Answer 1

As to your first question -- nature, probably entirely:

Two things in particular I'm going to point to. A number of major studies have been done of animals. All the species studied had Homosexual behavior -- and all the species that had pair bonds at all had homosexual pair bonding TO THE EXCLUSION OF MATING WITH THE OPPOSITE SEX IN HEAT. Explain how that is even possible as a choice for animals? (the best book in this particular field is probably Dr. Bruce Bagemihl's book "Biological Exuberance" from St. Martin's Press -- from its bibliography you can find many others, and you can easily find other studies that look at the same phenomena.)

2nd -- the Fruit-fly study. The results for fruit-flies can't be denied (link below). People are trying to say that just because it applies to fruit-flies it doesn't have to to people. Alright, while I accept that the genetic mechanism is much more complex among humans -- why on earth would something like homosexuality be completely genetic in simple species and not genetic at all in the most complex species? It makes no sense, particularly given that no gay person I know EVER remembers being attracted to a female. Bisexuals are attracted to both. Gays are only attracted to same sex. So -- how is that a choice? Isn't it just the opposite of what straight people feel? An inborn automatic response. Period.

Standing against science, common sense, and logic -- you have a bronze age book that people keep telling each other is divine, but which says the earth has corners (Isaiah 11:12), sits on pillars (I Samuel 2:8), and is on top of the water (Psalms 24:1-2). The book says beetles have 4 legs not 6 (Leviticus 11: 21-23) and states that rabbits chew cuds (which they do NOT) (Deuteronomy 14:7). Given that choice, despite the emotional benefits that I'm sure some people gain from believing that the bronze age book is correct on this, just like it is on the corners -- I'll go with the logic, science and common sense.

Regarding your second question -- gay marriage:

I support governmental recognition of all marriages performed by recognized religious group, and that is the secret about the gay marriage question.

The gay marriage fight is really a battle between two groups of religious denominations - Christian and other in both cases. That battle is being missed by the media, and I believe that the battle threatens democracy in America.

One of the reasons for the Revolution, in which ancestors of mine fought -- was to establish freedom of religion in the new nation. Now, we are throwing that away, because contrary to what those on the Right would like you to think, this is not a battle between "people of faith" and "atheists" or some such -- this is a battle between two groups of people of faith, using the government to establish one sides views -- the EXACT THING that the anti-establishmentarian clause of the Constitution is there to prevent.

Of course no one should "make" those whose faiths oppose gay marriage perform such marriages, and no one ever would. So ministers from the Southern Baptists and Assemblies of God and Ultra-Orthodox Jews and Fundamentalist Muslims should never be asked to perform gay marriages, and certainly not forced to.

On the other hand, why should faith groups that support gay marriage -- such as the United Church of Christ, the Unitarian/Universalist Society, the North American Spiritualist Church, Reform Judaism, and the Correllian Tradition of Wicca -- all recognized Churches and 501c3s be barred from practicing , their religious faiths, which say it is ok to marry same sex couples?

The first group of faith groups is realistically using the government to prevent the second group of faith groups from practicing what they believe and having it legally recognized. The founders tried to prevent this, for the stability of the country. It doesn't matter that everyone "thinks" they are right and others are wrong -- it matters that we are plural as a society and the government should recognize everyone's ceremonies the same -- which means that gay marriages committed by churches and faith groups that believe in gay marriages, should be honored by the government regardless of what groups that don't like it say.

Everyone's beliefs can be honored, thus preserving the values that my 12 times removed Great Grandfather died for -- but not if we allow one side to legislate away the rights of the other side.

Since I do not believe the government should be used to control religious belief -- I think that the government should recognize gay marriage, when performed by members of clergy -- and should create a civil union equivalent for those interested only in secular marriage.

Otherwise we should stop saying we don't have an establishment of religion.

Regards,

Reynolds Jones
http://www.rebuff.org
[e-mail]

Answer 2

I think both. More so on the nature side. But I think nurture definately plays a role. Some study just came out that men with older brothers are more likely to be gay...thats nurture playing a role. Also, maybe the relationships you've had with your mother and father - I think this plays a role. If as a female you have a mother figure missing in your life, perhaps you strive for that female bond and look for it in a woman partner. Maybe the same for men and father figures. I'm not saying this is the case for all gays and lesbians, just saying that this is where nurture can play a role.

Definately think that marriage is a personal choice, whether hetero or gay. It should be down to the individuals to decide, not the government.

Two thumbs up for gay marriage!

Answer 3

I really don't think it's nurture at all, I think it's totally nature.
No one that I know of in my family is gay, I knew no one openly gay until I was an adult and had already realized that I was.
I even remember here and there in my family, and even in my circle of friends the negative gay comments. When I realized I was gay, it was in 1981. I was in college, and around that time everyone started hearing about this strange, new disease called AIDS that seemed to (at the time) be affecting mostly gay people. and ALL the Bible-thumpers starting yelling and proclaiming that this was God's punishment.
Sure, with all that going on, I admit I was afraid and closeted for quite a while, but I knew who I was and I knew I could not change how I felt no matter how much I may have wished (at the time) that it wasn't so. With absolutely no gay/lesbian influences in my life, what else could it be but nature?
It's a natural, genetic occurance...like hair/eye/skin color, being short/tall, etc.
And my partner and I hope for the day when we can legally get married. We've been together over 2 years and just had a committment ceremony last weekend at St. Louis Pridefest.
Keep up the fight, brothers and sisters! One day we WILL win!

Answer 4

Some people are born with defects, e.g., cleft palette, blind, etc. Parents try to find a way to correct these defects. So, even if it is true that being 'gay' is genetic, it doesn't mean it shouldn't be fixed. On the nurture side, there are all kinds of theories as to why this comes about. As a young woman I 'thought' I was a lesbian; but I was part of the theater at the time and it was the 'thing' to do. People can be convinced of anything if they are in the right environment for a long enough time. Look at the various cults that have convinced people to give up their wealth to the cult. Given the right circumstances people can be convinced of anything especially if it's 'in.' There have always been people who have been homosexuals; that is why it is not allowed according to the Bible. If it hadn't existed, G-d wouldn't have forbidden it.

Answer 5

that is a hard question to answer-is being gay nature or nuture. i knew at an early age that i was different, and i know that my mom and dad didn't raise me to be gay, otherwise why wouldn't all my other siblings be gay too? i know there are documented cases of gay sheep and gay penguins, as well as bisexual behaviors of many species in order to obtain food, and as a way to solidify relationships with the "tribes". and there are more and more studies out there proving the theory that homosexuality is more nature than nuture. so if you're asking my opinion, i'm going to have to lean more towards nature. i know that the uber-religious people are going to try to tear that apart, but all i have to say to that is if god has a plan for you, knows your past, present, and future-then how do you know that it isn't god's plan for me to be gay? and when you can prove to me-set in stone, not just a bible verse that could be translated in any way by many different readers, then i might take an interest. sorry about that- it was getting off the subject.
what do i feel about gay marriage? i think we should have the same rights as straight people. if the word marriage bothers you, fine we'll call it something else. if you think we're going to make a mockery of the church, ummm...i think that the many of the churches are already doing a good job of that already. besides, if gay marriages were legalized, churches could still use the right they have to say, "sorry,but due to our beliefs, we won't commit you're ceremony here." of course it would mean a lot more justice of the peace and vegas weddings, but hey if the churches don't want our money, there will be others who will.
and for those of you who are going to be like-gay marriage will damage everything marriage stands for-i think the high rates of divorce has already done that.

Answer 6

I think it's both nature and nurture, but never a choice. I think some people are born with more inclination to turn out to be gay or bisexual than others, but the environment in which they are raised also has some impact on sexual orientation.

I believe that gay marriage should be universally recognized. Because sexual orientation isn't chosen, I don't think that straight people should get to have their marriages legally recognized while gay people don't have the same privilege. It's discrimination.

Answer 7

Both. It depends on the person, and what their experiences have made them, as well as how they were born.
I think that marraige has never been the "sacred institution" the far right claims it is. Until this century, it was no more romantic or Godly than a property exchange. The rights gay couples want now are simply legal ones - very few are concerned with a church-acknowledged wedding.
There's too much hate in the world, a statement on which we can all agree - why propogate hatred and censor real love?
Have a pleasant day.

Answer 8

Nature. You are who you are born to be. And I play such a grey role when it comes to gay marriage. I am gay and have no desire to be married. I think gays getting marrried is well plainly put stupid. Why do we need a heterosexual union to prove that we love each other. I look at marriage to be good for one thing and that is to be leagally married so that you don't have children out of wedlock, because according to the bible it is wrong. I don't understand why gays want to be apart of a ceremony that was religiously created, especially since that religion condems us for being gay. However, there are gay couples that want this, so why should they be denied it? Its their choice. They are the ones setting them selves up for divorce and dissapointment. And the ony reason I am voting this november on the marraige admendment (of course against it) is because if we let the government try to define what love is or isn't, what else will they try to define against us? So in the best way we can.......we have to fight. And if not for everyother gay person, then yourselves. Because one day who knows what they will take from us, or what they will try to do to us. We are no less then any other human being.

Answer 9

I think BOTH. Some people are born with it, some become it. I absolutely believe that homosexuality is some sort of neurological disorder of the brain.

As far as marriage goes, that would be a hoot. I've said this before and I'll say it again. With gay marriage comes gay divorce. Not many gays stay in a committed relationship for any substantial length of time...(I didn't say all) My mom & dad have a very successful Family Law firm. They'll be multi -millionares as soon as gay divorce is leagalized.

Answer 10

I'm not gay but I am bi -- I don't believe it can be taught, it is nature. You cant teach someone to be straight - its a feeling (or desire or whatever you know what I mean).

I support gay marriage - you love who you love and should be able to become the legal partner with that person. People say that the purpose of marriage is to have children but 1) not all straight couples have children (I'm married to a man and I don't want kids) 2) straight couples may not be able to have children so adopt 3) gay parents can also adopt....... Why should that be an issue?? Marry who you love.