tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226269873507053740.post7613111258822295250..comments2024-03-29T05:22:26.118-04:00Comments on Daffey Thoughts: We don't know causes homosexualityDavid Griffeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06629314279592541401noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226269873507053740.post-52462977277398773492013-08-21T19:51:00.433-04:002013-08-21T19:51:00.433-04:00Hi Alex! Thanks for the response, and welcome to ...Hi Alex! Thanks for the response, and welcome to my humble little crawlspace in the Blogosphere. I don't usually have time for much posting during the week (jobs, family, life, etc.). I'll read through what's written (both from you?) and probably post a response on the blog Proper this weekend. Basic CliffsNotes version: With a growing cry to get the government involved on finally deciding the acceptable approach to the issue, we need more than 'we have no idea, but we're pretty sure...' If it's a battle of subjective beliefs, fine, but that does create certain problems itself. But if the narrative is 'science says being gay is like being black or white', then we need to know the science actually says it. And I want people advocating it to say one way or another. It's not a right/left or blue/red thing, but I grow tired of living in an age where we seem to be able to hold a book in our hands, insist we're not holding a book in our hands, and be assured that anyone on our side of the debate will back us up. "Short" answer. More to follow. Thanks again for the thoughtful response. David Griffeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06629314279592541401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226269873507053740.post-48649631760267154832013-08-21T08:07:29.430-04:002013-08-21T08:07:29.430-04:00Hi Dave,
My impression (and I may be wrong about ...Hi Dave,<br /><br />My impression (and I may be wrong about this) is that a lot of those who oppose discrimination against gay people do so in a way is a little like the way that people oppose discrimination against people who have sexual relationships with people of different races. Such opposition to discrimination against gay people does not imply that gay people are born that way – it simply implies that sexual relationships between people of the same sex are not the kind of things that warrant people being discriminated against.<br /><br />It might be worth considering the comment of Francis Collins, the Director of the Genome Project:<br /><br />"The evidence we have at present strongly supports the proposition that there are hereditary factors in male homosexuality — the observation that an identical twin of a male homosexual has approximately a 20% likelihood of also being gay points to this conclusion, since that is 10 times the population incidence. But the fact that the answer is not 100% also suggests that other factors besides DNA must be involved. That certainly doesn’t imply, however, that those other undefined factors are inherently alterable."<br /><br />My strong impression is that for most gay people, so called reparative therapy in its currently available forms is unable to change them from gay to straight. If it did have this power, I am sure we would have heard of some changes occurring far more often than we do hear of such changes occurring. For many gay people, sexual orientation seems currently for all practical purposes unalterable. In saying this, I am not for one moment saying that I know the causes of homosexuality; nor am I saying that I think that gay people are born that way. Yet if the argument that gay people are born that way is an argument for not discriminating against gay people, then so I believe is the fact that for all practical purposes gay orientation seems for most people unalterable.<br /><br />Thus I am puzzled that you think the issue of whether or not gay people are born that way is so important. I suspect that many people who speak of gay people being born that way mean that for all practical purposes gay orientation seems for most people unalterable. This may not be the most precise way of speaking. But imprecise ways of speaking are not in my view the same thing as lies. <br /><br />AlexAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226269873507053740.post-32894465429132965532013-08-21T00:13:03.508-04:002013-08-21T00:13:03.508-04:00On the same page where the APA says they don't...On the same page where the APA says they don't know why they also say it isn't a mental disorder.<br /><br />http://www.psychiatry.org/mental-health/people/lgbt-sexual-orientation<br /><br />Is Homosexuality A Mental Disorder?<br />No. All major professional mental health organizations have gone on record to affirm that homosexuality is not a mental disorder. In 1973 the American Psychiatric Association’s Board of Trustees removed homosexuality from its official diagnostic manual, The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Second Edition (DSM II). The action was taken following a review of the scientific literature and consultation with experts in the field. The experts found that homosexuality does not meet the criteria to be considered a mental illness.<br /><br />Here's what they say about people who are worried about homosexuality.<br /><br />Does Stigma Still Exist About Homosexuality?<br />Yes. Fears and misunderstandings about homosexuality are wide spread. They present daunting challenges to the development and maintenance of a positive self-image in gay, lesbian and bisexual persons and often to their families as well. “Homophobia” is a term that refers to the irrational fear and prejudice against homosexual persons. Public opinion polls in the United States show that in the past twenty years, feelings toward gay men, lesbians and bisexuals have moved in a significantly positive direction. Nevertheless, when compared to other social groups homosexuals are still among the most stigmatized groups in the nation. Hate crimes are prevalent. Gay men and lesbians are still banned from serving openly in the US military service. Child custody decisions still frequently view gay and lesbian people as unfit parents. Gay and lesbian adolescents are often taunted and humiliated in their school settings. Many professional persons and employees in all occupations are still fearful of identifying as gay or lesbians in their work settings. Gay relationships are not widely recognized in any legal way.<br /><br />This is why people compare not accepting Blacks or Asians with not accepting homosexuals.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com