Running head: BORN GAY OR CHOICE

Community Problem Report: Born gay or Simply a Choice?

Salma Ikhlail
The University of Texas at El Paso

BORN GAY OR CHOICE

Abstract

Debating whether a human being is born gay or not is a controversial topic that will never end, it
will keep Americans guessing until eternity. Religion believes it is merely a choice, meaning that
the individual has the control over his or her own body and mind, that homosexuality can be
reversible and is just a form of brainwashing or bad parenting. While science, on the other hand,
believes that it is possible to be born attracted to the same sex, and impossible to be able to
change an individuals own sexual preference, that sexual orientation is determined by natural
and biological factors that resemble genes or hormones. Science and religion never work
together and are best known to bump heads in every subject theyre both involved in, they both
stand strongly by their own biased beliefs and opinions, and its difficult to even consider that
science and the church will ever go hand in hand.

BORN GAY OR CHOICE

While it is not the most important controversial topic, it is one of the most argued about.
Being born gay or having the choice to be gay has been debated over the decade, just like
evolution and creation. Religion and science are known to butt heads in various situations,
causing many protests and movements in America. Frequently asked questions rise up about this
controversial topic, such as wondering if sexual orientation can be determined at birth, is being
born gay natural, can someone change their sexual preference, or if there is such thing as a gay
gene. This paper will answer and inform you about this topic from both sides of the
controversial fence.

Can Sexual Orientation be Determined at Birth?

Having brown hair and blue eyes can be easily determined at birth, but can that
individuals sexual orientation be noticed as
well? According to The American Psychiatric

Figure 1: Example on having many older brothers

increases the chance of homosexuality (Stern M. 2013).

Association, most scientists today agree that sexual

orientation is most likely the result of a complex
interaction of environmental, cognitive and biological
factors (ProCon.org. 2010). This is stating that there are
many different reasons to a persons sexual orientation
and each reason can be different to each individual.
Rahman and Wilson also state that there are two main
correlates of sexual orientation that point to an early
developmental genesis, they are childhood gender nonconformity and fraternal birth order

BORN GAY OR CHOICE

(Rahman, Q., & Wilson, G. 2002). The first reason, for example, explains that homosexual men
realized that their childhood was feminine, while lesbians childhoods were masculine. The
second reason points more towards to men, it involves them having more older brothers in their
family, which increases their chance to be gay, but only by a small percentage. Take figure 1 as
an example, it shows that the younger brother has many older brothers, which then according to
Stern, causes that young individual to have more of a chance to be homosexual (Stern M. 2013).
Although, some do disagree, like the Citizens for Community Values, they explain that
homosexuality is not genetic and there is no legitimate research to support it, they also say that
many individuals had overcome their desire of homosexuality and are now in heterosexual
relationships (ProCon.org 2010). Thats where our next question begins; can somebodys sexual
preference change over time?

Can Sexual Orientation be Changed?

There are many different opinions about this question, meaning that it cannot just have
one answer. Sorba, the author of The Born Gay Hoax uses a variety of famous people to
explain that a humans sexuality can be changed multiple times (Sorba, R 2007). Author, Deem,
also explains about a survey he found on his website godandcsience.org, this survey shows the
percentage of women that changed their sexual preference more than once during the survey
period (Deem, R. 2013). On the other hand, a US Surgeon, General David Satcher, had
something else in mind, he stated "Sexual orientation is usually determined by adolescence, if
not earlier, and there is no valid scientific evidence that sexual orientation can be changed
(ProCon.org 2010). " Dr. Satcher is using science as his main source and explaining that the

BORN GAY OR CHOICE

individual is born that way and there are no ways of changing it. It is something natural, they will
be who they really are, deep down inside.

Is Being Born Gay Natural?

Many arguments rise from this question, like debating if its natural or not. Some include
the concept that even animals have homosexual tendencies, so that makes it natural because it is
natures way of saying that it doesnt matter what sexual preference you prefer. But others, like
Medinger, stated in his website freeministry.org, that two men or two women cannot
reproduce, which contradicts nature, making it not natural or normal (Medinger A. n.d). On the
other hand other people believe that since you are born that way it shouldnt be considered a
mental illness, it is natural and shouldnt be influenced to change. The Ontario Consultants on
Religious Tolerance, states, "We recommend following the lead of most physical and mental
health professionals, and consider homosexual orientation to be normal, natural, unchosen and
fixed (ProCon.org)." Here the religious organization explains that it doesnt matter who or what
you are as a human being, it is natural because it was the way they were born, it is in their genes
and they are also a natural person living on Earth.

Is there a Gay Gene?

First and foremost, what is a gay gene? While there is no exact definition for this term,
some believe that homosexual individuals can be born with this gene, in which then explains
their homosexuality behavior and sexual preferences. This leads us to the final question, is it
possible for homosexuality to be found in an individuals genes? According to Joseph
Osmundson, author of I Was Born This Way, he states that males and females are born with

BORN GAY OR CHOICE

hormonal disorders. Males are born with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), which causes an
excess of androgens while the fetus is developing in the wound. CAH causes a different effect on
women born with the disorder, they can have an enlargement of the clitoris so severe that
their sex is misassigned at birth. (Osmundson, J, 2010). These hormones then affect the
individuals brain development and sexual activity or preference during birth. Others have
a different opinion on this subject, like Rich Deem, he believes that there is no real scientific
proof on the gay gene, Deem states If homosexuality truly has a genetic component, DNA
microarray studies would not only definitively prove the point, but would identify specific
gene(s) or loci that might be associated with those who express a homosexual orientation
(Deem, R. 2013). Since the gay gene hasnt been scientifically proven or announced in
this case, Deem believes it is merely a theory and nothing more.

There is no right or wrong answer to these questions that were stated. Whether or
not there is a gene that affects individuals in certain ways, or if homosexuality is natural
and can be determined at birth, or merely just a choice on that individuals behalf. Many
different people express diverse feelings and beliefs towards this subject. It is a
controversial topic that will keep the world, especially America guessing until we find an
answer. But the true question is, does it really matter in the end?

BORN GAY OR CHOICE

References

Deem, R. (2013, November 25). Genetics and Homosexuality: Are People Born Gay? The
Biological Basis for Sexual Orientationby Rich Deem. Retrieved October 6, 2014.
Medinger, A. (n.d.). Homosexuality and the Truth: Is it Natural and Normal? Retrieved October
22, 2014.
Osmundson, J. (2010, January 1). Home LGBTQ Policy Journal at the Harvard Kennedy
School. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
ProCon.org. (2010, August 10). Is Sexual Orientation Determined at Birth? Retrieved from
http://borngay.procon.org/view.answers.php?questionID=001335
Rahman, Q., & Wilson, G. (2002). Born Gay? The Psychobiology Of Human Sexual Orientation
Personality and Individual Differences, 1337-1382. Retrieved October 8, 2014.
Sorba, R. (2007, January 1). The Born Gay Hoax. Retrieved October 6, 2014.
Stern, M. (2013, June 28). Scientists May Have Uncovered a Biological Basis for
Homosexuality. Is That Good News for Gays? Retrieved October 22, 2014.