Study seeks DNA clues on homosexuality

[alisaeyes]

I guess there still trying to figure us out...What do you think about it...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071015/...44ITH_.c.s0NUE

[Alecto]

I almost took part in that one, actually. But then I didn't (travel + I was REALLY unsure about where I stood about the politics involved: why so much research on the "why"?)

[kimmyd]

Originally Posted by Alecto

I almost took part in that one, actually. But then I didn't (travel + I was REALLY unsure about where I stood about the politics involved: why so much research on the "why"?)

I have always been a believer in genes as being a (though not THE) reason for sexual orientation. Most of my gay friends have gay relatives tracing back centuries.

However, I also believe in simple preference, no reason behind it other than that.

This said, I agree: why all the research? It's not as if there is a study as to why people are straight. These are the times you feel like a lab rat under a spotlight because of sexual preference.

And that's just wrong.

[Alecto]

More importantly, I feel that this is one of the biggest red herrings within the greater movement. They always throw out "it's a choice" (which, in my experience, it most certainly is not). We always say "No, it's gotta be genetic" (I say maybe it is sometimes, but I don't like the idea of generalizing my experience to someone else's; we don't all have to be the same, and we don't all have to have gotten where we are in the same way).

Ultimately, my point is that it shouldn't matter. If it's a choice, then on a legal basis anyway, it should be a choice we're allowed to make. I've stated before why I stay out of religious arguments (and I don't really know if this becomes more important there), but on a legal basis, it shouldn't matter.

[kimmyd]

Originally Posted by Alecto

More importantly, I feel that this is one of the biggest red herrings within the greater movement. They always throw out "it's a choice" (which, in my experience, it most certainly is not). We always say "No, it's gotta be genetic" (I say maybe it is sometimes, but I don't like the idea of generalizing my experience to someone else's; we don't all have to be the same, and we don't all have to have gotten where we are in the same way).

Ultimately, my point is that it shouldn't matter. If it's a choice, then on a legal basis anyway, it should be a choice we're allowed to make. I've stated before why I stay out of religious arguments (and I don't really know if this becomes more important there), but on a legal basis, it shouldn't matter.

No it should not. At all.

[Mia14]

I've never felt it was a choice - in fact, I tried to "choose" the straight path for a while and it led me to a bad place.

Why isn't there as much research on lesbians (as stated in the article)?? I think they're wonderful...

I actually used to babysit for a set of identical twins who are now in high school. One is openly bisexual while the other is openly hetero.

[Alecto]

In general, society likes to full on ignore lesbians. Mostly because we're still set in a hetero-patriarchy, where straight men find male homosexuality repulsive (hence the focus from opposition on gay MEN and certain activities that are usually only performed by gay men) while they tend to find lesbians tittilating. Instead of saying "it's ok for lesbians", they just say "gay is bad. lesbians? What lesbians?"

Also, lesbians face the extra cultural baggage placed on all women.

[Tinkerbell047]

It's actually quite repulsing. The way lesbians are treated in today's culture really makes me sick. It's one of the biggest double standards I can think of. Gay men are pigs, but lesbians are hot.

And what is it with straight men wanting to "fix" us?

-Tink

[Unmasked]

I'm going to resist the impulse to make a sexist joke and just let you know how much I love you Tink. I'm still trying to define my sexual orientation, for my own self, but I know that I get sickened by hetero males. The cultural double standard is irritating. We have so many sexual double standards. A promiscuous hetero male is celebrated in the locker room. A promiscuous hetero woman is called a whore. A promiscuous gay male is seen as an affront to the American family, and lesbians just aren't talked about unless they're in a pornographic movie. I'm not sure what to say about this study, but I hope that whatever happens, it leads to better understanding of the community.

Men like the chase. Pure and simple. Lesbians provide the ultimate chase. I hit on my friend Zoe all the time, who then hits me. It's a wonderful relationship. It's the forbidden fruit concept though. Men always want what they can't have.