Being Gay Is Not A Choice

For people in the LGBTQ community that identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual and pansexual, it’s pretty hard to hear the following statements: You’re confused. It’s just a phase. You want attention.

But one that really delivers the blow is when people claim that being a homosexual is a choice and “not natural.” That statement is obviously false. Here’s why.

When people say “not natural” in this context, they are claiming that homosexual people weren’t born that way. They were born straight and decided to be attracted to the same sex for who knows what reason.

Of course, it’s perfectly logical for someone to choose to be bullied, not be allowed in some countries, not be safe in some countries, have less rights, face the possibility that they might have to go to an entirely different country for the sole purpose of getting married, face the possibility of getting kicked out of their own home, and, do I really need to continue?

With all of these factors in mind, it’s only natural for parents who extremely disapprove to want to change their kid’s sexual orientation. Though, years of research suggests that people can’t change their sexual orientation/attraction, and trying to do so can cause intense mental suffering (cough, conversion therapy, cough.)

A wise man named John Pavlovitz, a pastor and writer, wrote an article for The Huffington Post, and said the following: “Yes, LGBT people are absolutely making a choice. They are choosing to be the most honest, authentic versions of themselves. They are choosing to be led by the unfiltered direction of their hearts, just as you and I are. They are choosing to relent to the things that in all of our lives, never can be chosen.”

Being gay is just who they are, and you should love them anyways. And maybe, just maybe, try to accept it.