"Homosexuality is a choice" and its paradox

[max-greece]

If it's not a choice does that mean they've made it compulsory?

Just kidding. I couldn't be gay even if I wanted to so I imagine that same thing is true for gay people trying to be straight.

[My imaginary friend is GOD]

To be clear, the most common position is not that homosexuality as an orientation is a choice, but homosexual behavior is, and that's hard to deny. I mean, yeah, I chose to have sex with a girl (a bunch of times). But my alternative is to act against my nature and either be celibate or date guys, which would be painful to me and the guys.

[Anomalocaris]

The question to my mind was never about whether any aspect of homosexuality is a choice or not.

The question is, is it ever right to shackle the modern mind in the name of a bronze age bogeymen?

[MindForgedManacle]

Aside from the irrelevancy of it supposedly being a choice, it is not in fact a choice. For starters, if homosexuality - a preference - is a choice, then that means you can choose your preferences. But what allows you to choose your preferences, other preferences which presumably are also chosen? Infinite regress from the word go. This seems a good rendition:

"Perhaps you can do as you please but you cannot please as you please." ~Bertrand Russell

Also, if you can choose to be homosexual, why don't those who say it's a choice demonstrate that by choosing to be homosexual? Why should they worry? They can always choose to "go back" after the demonstration that they have honestly and truly chosen to temporarily be gay. But as expected, they just want to decry it and pseudo-justify it.

[CleanShavenJesus]

Alright fine, homosexuality isn't a choice....but legalization of gay marriage will still lead to the legalization polygamy, pedophilia, and snuff films, so, whether or not it's a choice is invalid!

[downbeatplumb]

To be clear, the most common position is not that homosexuality as an orientation is a choice, but homosexual behavior is, and that's hard to deny. I mean, yeah, I chose to have sex with a girl (a bunch of times). But my alternative is to act against my nature and either be celibate or date guys, which would be painful to me and the guys.

What do you do to men that is painful?

[Crossless2.0]

Alright fine, homosexuality isn't a choice....but legalization of gay marriage will still lead to the legalization polygamy, pedophilia, and snuff films, so, whether or not it's a choice is invalid!

Not to mention people marrying their pets! Where, oh where, will the depravity end?

As a straight male, I have absolutely no doubt that I didn't choose to be attracted to women, any more than my gay cousin "chose" to be attracted to men. But leaving that aside, even if one's sexual orientation was somehow a choice, my stock answer to the self-appointed thought police is, "It's none of your fucking business."

[My imaginary friend is GOD]

To be clear, the most common position is not that homosexuality as an orientation is a choice, but homosexual behavior is, and that's hard to deny. I mean, yeah, I chose to have sex with a girl (a bunch of times). But my alternative is to act against my nature and either be celibate or date guys, which would be painful to me and the guys.

What do you do to men that is painful?

Well, not having sex with them. Blue balls and all.

[Anomalocaris]

I think they would not find it painful if you would have sex with another woman in front of them.

[Faith No More]

I've had the same thoughts, but I put them a little more succinctly. I just tell anyone that thinks homosexuality is a choice to go be gay for a month and videotape it to prove it.