Choice and Moral Imperatives

[La Lioness Priyanka]

I know that as a community we have had to defend ourselves many, many times saying that being gay is not a choice. And ofcourse the homophobes insist this is a choice.

I am sick and tired of this 'argument'.

I don’t care if this is or is not a choice. I refuse to believe that there is a moral imperative that says if we had a choice in this we HAVE to pick heterosexuality.

If black people could go white, do they have a moral imperative to do so?

Muslims can convert to Christianity, is there an imperative to do so?

I find this whole idea that we would have picked heterosexuality, because its ofcourse SO MUCH a better option to be nauseating.

The homophobes are always going to think we are lesser than them. Whether there is choice or no choice. No matter how many studies prove that there are genetic links to homosexuality, that homosexuality exists in nature etc.

So my question to you is: Do you think there is a moral/categorical imperative upon us that states, if we had a choice we should practice heterosexuality?

[galledgoblin]

1. no way

but you're asking a biased group :P

the only choice involved is to come out

the only religious/scientific backing against gays is flawed

[La Lioness Priyanka]

2. its true about the biased group. i guess i could post this in gd and start a flame war

[Maven]

3. No, I don't, and this is what social constructionists have been saying for years

Of course, I think they go to far in saying that sexual orientation is socially constructed. I happen to think that the orientation itself is biological and that the categories and identities we impose are socially constructed. That's another argument for another day. ;)

However, the endgame of their theory is basically personal freedom. The point is that even if there were a choice, as you say, one should be free to determine one's sexual identity anyway.

[closeupready]

4. No, and I don't know or care whether there is such an imperative.

I will continue to be gay, and I will never take a magic "straight" pill, if one were to be created. Personally, I'm not even interested in being bi.

Someone's perverted interpretation of some book of mystical fairy tales is not going to form the basis for any moral set of beliefs around which I, as an adult, am going to live my life, period.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

5. agreed