Today, I was told that being gay was a "choice". This is probably a statement that offends me the most because straight people are so quick to make their own assumptions about our community. Like, how would you know what being gay feels like? So freaking ignorant....Anyway, discuss.

**I think this thread is extremely important because many people fail to acknowledge that many people believe that being gay is a choice.

I heard my mom say this once

...

Yes and I want to punch them

I hate how straight people think they can speak for us

Seen trolls say it on the internet, but not in real life. They bloody well can try it in my presence.

It depends on the situation... Some ppl say that but don't really mean the litteral sense. Some just want to say "they choose to fully accept it".

Yes. I asked my best friend what she thinks of gay rights and she said she doesn't have anything against gay people and that it's their choice to be gay.

I was really disappointed too because I remember I explained ages ago it's not a choice

No it doesn't... It's the most insensitive thing a person can say. Have you ever met one person who said that they "chose to be gay". I hate it so much

Yes, of course. My favorite response is dropping the most recent scientific progress from geneticists on them and watching them turn beet red.

http://www.wbur.org/onpoint/2015/08/...kes-people-gay

To be honest I think most are closeted Bisexuals, Gays and Lesbians who said this. They repressed coming in terms with their own sexuality and so they think Openly Gay people can do the same.

I have heard this irl before and it's usually coupled with "I don't agree with that lifestyle" which is another mess.

Yes or that it was caused because of sexual abuse. I lost my close relationship with a cousin because he is so ignorant and hates gay people obsessively (i dont even identify as lgbt). The thing is, even if it was a choice.. who f*cking cares. No one is getting harmed. Two people consent to LOVE each other. Why does that cause so much hate and anger. Why is it anyone else's business.

Why do people not understand that ITS NOT A LIFESTYLE. Like wtf.

There's a lot of insensitive pple out here

Some of them just can't "feel" what it's like to be gay I guess. Really it depends on the situation, on the person, etc. but if the guy doesn't have bad intentions I can't blame him.

no, actually, not directly. i think my friend's dad implied it like 5 years ago, but he's been really supportive of gay people recently, so i doubt he still thinks that.

Yes.

I don't personally mind depending on the context like if someone's defending gay ppl and they say "it's their choice let them be".. it's factually wrong but it's not something I'd complain about bc either way they're helping me. However I can understand why other ppl would have a problem w it and I'm fine with that!

If it was a choice, do you think we would pick this choice to be harassed, killed, and told that the way we live is a sin all the time? Who would "choose" that if it was such a choice? I certainly am proud of the fact that I am gay and have accepted it for quite some time after being in denial for so long. People who think that being gay, trans, bi, queer, etc. is a choice is severely misguided and closed-minded. The world will always be infested with fools like them and it makes me angry.

Yes It is such a nonsensical belief as well. Don't get me wrong, I love being gay and the LGBT Community/culture as a whole but in reality, if it was a choice why would so many people actively choose to part of a commonly demeaned, derided and discriminated minority. Especially in the past when circumstances were worse for non-heterosexuals.