[TomC]

I think some people are misunderstanding what the OP means. They are not suggesting that you 'choose' it. They are saying that your psychology can change as you develop.

It's an interesting debate, and no one really can say for definite why and how some people are gay.

Personally, I believe being gay can develop as you grow due to external circumstances. I think having the lack of a father figure can lead to homosexuality, as controversial an opinion that may be.

I am quite inclined to think that no one is born straight or gay, and it develops in your childhood as your hormones and sex organs start to develop etc. In fact it just occurred to me, you don't really feel attraction to people properly until early puberty, so how can someone be born with a sexuality?

I just don't know.

[Ashley.]

Originally Posted by hownwbrowncow

I think some people are misunderstanding what the OP means. They are not suggesting that you 'choose' it. They are saying that your psychology can change as you develop.

It's an interesting debate, and no one really can say for definite why and how some people are gay.

Personally, I believe being gay can develop as you grow due to external circumstances. I think having the lack of a father figure can lead to homosexuality, as controversial an opinion that may be.

I am quite inclined to think that no one is born straight or gay, and it develops in your childhood as your hormones and sex organs start to develop etc. In fact it just occurred to me, you don't really feel attraction to people properly until early puberty, so how can someone be born with a sexuality?

I just don't know.

Thank you!!

I agree with your points, too!

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by hownwbrowncow

I think some people are misunderstanding what the OP means. They are not suggesting that you 'choose' it. They are saying that your psychology can change as you develop.

It's an interesting debate, and no one really can say for definite why and how some people are gay.

Personally, I believe being gay can develop as you grow due to external circumstances. I think having the lack of a father figure can lead to homosexuality, as controversial an opinion that may be.

I am quite inclined to think that no one is born straight or gay, and it develops in your childhood as your hormones and sex organs start to develop etc. In fact it just occurred to me, you don't really feel attraction to people properly until early puberty, so how can someone be born with a sexuality?

I just don't know.

I agree. It takes a good few years for you to start feeling any sort of sexual attraction.

[Liam-]

I've had a prominent father figure all my life and I'm still a bumder

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by Liam-

I've had a prominent father figure all my life and I'm still a bumder

"Can"

[TomC]

Originally Posted by Ashley.

Thank you!!

I agree with your points, too!

Glad I interpreted you correctly!

[TomC]

Originally Posted by Liam-

I've had a prominent father figure all my life and I still turned into a bumder

I never said having no strong father figure will always make you gay and having one will always make you straight. I just meant there may be a correlation.

[Ashley.]

gays should die lol its okay i'm allowed to say that because I'm gay too lol x

no this is not justified.

[Liam-]

Originally Posted by Ashley.

gays should die lol its okay i'm allowed to say that because I'm gay too lol x

What

[Ashley.]

Originally Posted by Liam-

What

It was an exaggeration to mirror how silly people sound when they say "I'm allowed to say it because it's what I am"

[JoshBB]

Originally Posted by Ashley.

It was an exaggeration to mirror how silly people sound when they say "I'm allowed to say it because it's what I am"

Do you not understand the concept of reclaiming words used as slurs, and turning them into a message of empowerment? If not, there, I just explained it to you.

[Ashley.]

Originally Posted by JoshBB

Do you not understand the concept of reclaiming words used as slurs, and turning them into a message of empowerment? If not, there, I just explained it to you.

Well no because it's not like that isn't it, it's just an excuse to offend.

[Liam-]

Originally Posted by Ashley.

It was an exaggeration to mirror how silly people sound when they say "I'm allowed to say it because it's what I am"

Yes, because me using derogatory words to describe myself is completely comparable - even when exaggerated - to a gay saying all gays should die.

Gay people are allowed to say those words if they want to, just like black people are allowed to use the N word if they want to, I don't use the words to describe other people, just myself, normally when I'm being sarcastic or trying to pove a point, social immunity is great that way.

[TomC]

Originally Posted by Ashley.

It was an exaggeration to mirror how silly people sound when they say "I'm allowed to say it because it's what I am"

I agree. If the word is heard being banded around, it loses it's potency, it becomes acceptable, and everyone says it, and that's wrong IMO.

[JoshBB]

Originally Posted by hownwbrowncow

I agree. If the word is heard being banded around, it loses it's potency, it becomes acceptable, and everyone says it, and that's wrong IMO.

That's the whole point.

Then the word can't be used in an abusive, hateful, or offensive manner.. the words then lose their power. Reclaiming words is an important aspect of empowering any group that faces prejudice.

[Northern Monkey]

Filthy hetero scum should all die a slow death.Specially me!
It's ok though cos i'm straight.

[Lostie!]

Originally Posted by Ashley.

I somewhat disagree with people who say that you're "born" gay. While this is the case for some people, I think some people can "develop" homosexuality in their later life and begin to show an interest for the same gender over a certain period of time.

What are your thoughts on this?

Yeah, I think it varies depending on the individual. Some identify as gay from a younger age, and I absolutely believe some only develop those feelings later in life.

There isn't a simple yes / now answer to the debate that applies to all gay people.

[TomC]

Originally Posted by JoshBB

That's the whole point.

Then the word can't be used in an abusive, hateful, or offensive manner.. the words then lose their power. Reclaiming words is an important aspect of empowering any group that faces prejudice.

I disagree to be honest. People will still use it as abuse - although we don't really have racism against black people in this country any more, regardless of the fact black people casually call each other the N word, it can still be used as a highly abusive term.

[JoshBB]

Originally Posted by hownwbrowncow

I disagree to be honest. People will still use it as abuse - although we don't really have racism against black people in this country any more, regardless of the fact black people casually call each other the N word, it can still be used as a highly abusive term.

Yeah but eventually it would get to the point where if someone used it as abuse then it would have far less impact on the person and they would be far less upset/angered by it

[Marsh.]

I find this thread deeply deeply upsetting.

[Liam-]

Not my self shaming being deleted

[TomC]

Originally Posted by JoshBB

Yeah but eventually it would get to the point where if someone used it as abuse then it would have far less impact on the person and they would be far less upset/angered by it

Your point just doesn't make sense to me. Because gay people use derogatory words to describe themselves, it stops being derogatory when others say it? Like I said, this has happened before which ethnic minorities and indeed sexual minorities and nothing changes - the word remains as offensive, regardless of whether it's taboo or not.

[JoshBB]

Originally Posted by hownwbrowncow

Your point just doesn't make sense to me. Because gay people use derogatory words to describe themselves, it stops being derogatory when others say it? Like I said, this has happened before which ethnic minorities and indeed sexual minorities and nothing changes - the word remains as offensive, regardless of whether it's taboo or not.

You're going to have to google the concept, I'm not very good at explaining it but it makes sense to me and I think it would for you too.

[Glenn.]

I find anyone that thinks being gay is a choice, to be extremely ignorant. I'm a bit offended tbh.

[Glenn.]

I just realised who the op is and I'm shocked that someone with supposedly high intelligence to be a solicitor/lawyer etc can have such stupid opinions.