Most religions and the majority of cultures would have it that this young man is fundamentally flawed, that he has more Original Sin than most, and that in order to redeem himself he will have to deny and disown a fundamental part of who he is. Unlike the majority of individuals, he is homosexual. Homosexuality is a favourite point of moralising for many people, leaving a significant minority of the human species despised, mistrusted, or condemned. Certainly this is most often packaged with religion, an institution Objectivists are quick to criticise. Yet many Objectivists have not been innocent of similar irrationality as regards homosexuality.
Homosexuality describes an orientation toward the same gender in sexual and romantic attraction.
Just as a heterosexual has deep, basic feelings toward certain members of the opposite sex, so a homosexual has the same feelings toward those of his own gender. Whatever the causes of sexual orientation, it is clear that such a fundamental response is not a matter of choice. With genetic and physiological evidence now accumulating which points to sexual orientation being determined before birth or soon thereafter, it is quite doubtful that a person can significantly alter his orientation. If homosexuality as such is not a matter of choice, it cannot be a moral issue. Thus, Objectivists should be at the forefront of condemning the condemnation of gays and lesbians as such, just as we speak out against racism and collectivism in general.