Homosexuality

ROUND 4: HOMOSEXUALITY AND MORALITY The debate over homosexuality, in general, is far broader and more controversial than most debates. In fact, the sheer scope of the debate is too large for me to adequately address every argument. Therefore, I’ll provide only one argument to reason the assertion that homosexuality is not immoral and therefore should be accepted: Homosexuality is something you are inherently born with, thus you should not be criticized and/or discriminated against because of it. Since this topic directly responds to my opponents assertions in round 2, I’ll take this moment to refute them. In his opening argument, my opponent said “Let me just start off with the fact that it is a choice, but not in the sense one chooses to be gay. Basically, there has been no scientific proof that you are born gay, the so-called "gay gene" has been disproved over and over again. It happens in your childhood and in the environment in which you were raised, and therefore can be changed.” His assertions are mistaken for a multitude of reasons, including the fact that he does not address additional evidence besides the gay gene. To cannibalize on an earlier debate I had on this topic, I’ve requoted a few select sources I feel get my point across. “Humans aren't the only species that has same-sex pairings. For instance, female Japanese macaques may sometimes participate in energetic sexual stimulation. Lions, chimpanzees, bison and dolphins have also been spotted in same-sex pairings. And nearly 130 bird species have been observed engaging in sexual activities with same-sex partners.” [1] “Scientists have found even more evidence that sexual orientation is largely determined by genetics, not choice. That can undermine a major argument against the LBGT community that claims that these people are choosing to live unnaturally.” [2] “We know, from many twin and adoption studies, that sexual preference has a genetic component.” [3] “Scientists have uncovered the strongest evidence yet in the debate of whether people are ‘born gay’.” [4] While these articles may appear subjective and speculative, they provide sufficient reasoning that people are born gay. Another compelling source, one that actually provides scientific data, is the widely groundbreaking study Psychological Medicine. In the study, the abstract concludes the following: “Conclusions Results, especially in the context of past studies, support the existence of genes on pericentromeric chromosome 8 and chromosome Xq28 influencing development of male sexual orientation.” [5] While there is no irrefutable evidence that a person is born gay, as scientific studies continue to evolve, the validity of this notion because more and more accepted. Let’s look at the facts: attraction is something developed without outside influence. (hypothetically, someone cannot make another person inherently attracted to something they did not originally find attractive.) Hence, attraction is naturally occurring and cannot be dictated by society. Homosexuality is the sole attraction to someone of the same gender. Since attraction is naturally occurring, homosexuality is also naturally occurring. Now, there are cases in which people assert that society allotted them to be gay and have relations with members of the same sex. This is true. However, the notion that their attraction was a choice is not. Their sudden attraction to someone of the same sex simply means they’ve realized they can find someone attractive. In more specific terms, it means their sexuality has developed further. For someone to say that homosexuality is a choice, they must also concede that heterosexuality is a choice. This suddenly introduces the argument that gays can chose to be straight and straights can chose to be gay. However, nearly all heterosexuals will assert that they cannot be gay because they cannot find it in themselves to be attractive to someone of the same gender. To make a long story short: people can chose to carry out a homosexual act, but cannot chose to be homosexual. Attraction is something developed over time that has nothing to do with the nurture aspect of society. It is something people are inherently born with that develops as they explore their inner being, because of this, people should not be viewed as abominable. They should be accepted for being who they are. Citations: 1. http://www.livescience.com... 2. http://www.natureworldnews.com... 3. http://www.huffingtonpost.com... 4. http://www.pinknews.co.uk... 5. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov... ________________________________________________________ With my arguments for this round complete, I turn the debate over to my opponent. See you in the final round!