If homosexuality could be 'cured' ...

  1. Module
    Module
    This paragraph in the previous thread got me thinking ...
    Following such logic, homosexuality can (and, in the eyes of the anti-gay, should) be “cured” by gene therapy or hormone injections — even religious zealots, whose previous “solution” to homosexuality was to exile or murder gays, or brainwash them into “normalcy,” can argue that they have a “humane,” “scientific” solution to the “problem.”
    If homosexuality could be 'cured' in living human beings, would any of you consider doing it?
    Does wishing that you were straight imply there is something wrong with homosexuality, or do you think that it is also bad for somebody to wish to 'fit in' sexually, for the sake of ease? If 'ease' was the argument for curing homosexuality, what reasons would you have for not doing it?

    If you could make sure that your future children were all straight, would you? Why/why not? Would you disapprove of others doing that?
  2. Janine Melnitz
    Janine Melnitz
    It's sort of fun to think about the possibilities raised by the ability to futz with our psychosexual make-up on such a deep level: you could be attracted to anyone you like (probably come in handy for some relationships), presumably pedophilia or whatever it is that makes for a serial rapist would be easily cleared up, etc.

    I can't imagine "curing" myself of any gender-related deviance -- apart from liking what I am, I'd feel gross about stepping in line with patriarchy blahblahblah. I wouldn't blame anyone else for doing so though -- their circumstances might not be as easy as mine. I'm sure if the technology were introduced today, queers living in conservative areas would jump all over it; I doubt that this, in itself, would have much effect on the local climate, as those same people would surely have remained closeted, killed themselves/been killed, or migrated somewhere decent otherwise. Obviously there's the impact it would have on the idiotic question of "choice"; it's frustrating to admit that this technology would deal us such a grave tactical blow, when the real problem is that this question is granted such centrality.

    "Designer kid" questions don't interest me much at all; children don't ask to be born, they don't choose to share their parents' race, class etc.; genetic engineering doesn't raise any ethical concerns that aren't already there whenever you procreate.
  3. Salabra
    Salabra
    No, no, no, a thousand billion times NO!

    One of the reasons for becoming a communist/socialist/leftist/liberal/progressive is surely to struggle to render that choice meaningless and irrelevant both for ourselves and for future generations.
  4. Andrei Kuznetsov
    Andrei Kuznetsov
    Who would do such a thing? Gay sex is awesome. Imagine what a bummer the world would be without it.
  5. Module
    Module
    Not much of one, I imagine, boom boom

    In terms of the struggle to render that choice meaningless, how meaningless will it ever have a hope to be? Isn't the fact that your choice of potential partner is going to be narrowed down 95% always going to be meaningful to people? For people who live in small towns with little hope of finding somebody they could enjoy being with, should they refuse an opportunity to remove the barrier of their sexuality in the name of leftism? How many gay people out there simply experience isolation because of their sexuality and nothing more?
  6. Salabra
    Salabra
    In terms of the struggle to render that choice meaningless, how meaningless will it ever have a hope to be? Isn’t the fact that your choice of potential partner is going to be narrowed down 95% always going to be meaningful to people? For people who live in small towns with little hope of finding somebody they could enjoy being with, should they refuse an opportunity to remove the barrier of their sexuality in the name of leftism? How many gay people out there simply experience isolation because of their sexuality and nothing more?
    Oh, believe me, I would never condemn lesbians and gays who want to “change” in order to “fit in,” to avoid excoriation by the local god-squad or a kicking (or worse) by the local skinheads, or for any other reason. Being “the [real] only gay in the village” can be an absolute nightmare situation for anyone.

    Perhaps I should have spelled out what I meant — I want to work towards a world where heterosexuality is not only no longer “compulsory” but also no longer even “normal” (I’m speaking of “socially normal,” but I’m not a biological determinist either), and so lesbians and gays will no longer feel that they need to alter/deny their sexuality. They may choose to do so, but hopefully they will be able to make a choice that has not been distorted by a false consciousness imposed — or, if you prefer, the extreme ideological pressure exerted — by our capitalist patriarchal society.

    Yes, this is pie-in-the-sky stuff, and, yes, lesbians and gays need to live in the harrowingly homophobic present rather than the rosy revolutionary future, but, in the words of The Internationale, why not “spurn the dust to win the prize”?
  7. Bad Grrrl Agro
    Bad Grrrl Agro
    Why would I want to be straight? I'm happy knowing that penis is more fun.
  8. Outinleftfield
    Outinleftfield
    No. In fact if I wasnt bisexual and they had gene therapy to change your sexual orientation Id change to bisexual. I think of all the opportunities I get and all the experiences I've had that I wouldn't be able to if I was a monosexual and I can't imagine ever wanting to not be bi. I think if I was gay or straight I'd be curious about what it would feel like to be able to have a relationship with someone of the unliked sex and like it. I think a lot of people would feel the same way even straight and gay people and that if it wasn't for homophobia more people who change would be changing to be bisexual. Without homophobia some people might change to straight or gay or even asexual but it would probably be because they find their sexual desires to be too much or maybe they are committed and fall in love with someone of the other sex and to stop it make themselves monosexual. But this would be rare. In the future gene therapy to make you bisexual will be popular.
  9. Bitter Ashes
    Bitter Ashes
    I'm going to be the controversial one and say that if it was reliable then I'd consider it. I'm certain that genuinly straight couples can be just as happy in a relationship as gay couples. So, sex and relationship wise, I dont think I'd be losing anything. What I'd be gaining is more acceptance.

    The reason I didnt say that I'd outright put my name to it though is because if such a thing existed then I'm sure it'd lead to a resuregence in homophobia, as the whole "gay is a choice" thing becomes true, thereby legitimising hatred, as bieng gay would cease to be a biological identity and become a political identity which is open to critism. So, I'm unsure whether I'd be able to live with the guilt of knowing that I was partly responsible for that.
  10. BorealStorm
    In an overpopulated world, homosexuality IS a cure.
  11. Salabra
    Salabra
    And in the spirit of the previous post, here are some questions that we've all heard ... but turned base-over-apex.

    Questions for Straights

    1. What do you think caused your heterosexuality?
    2. When and how did you decide you were a heterosexual?
    3. Is it possible that your heterosexuality is just a phase that you may grow out of?
    4. Is it possible that your heterosexuality stems from a neurotic fear of others of the same sex?
    5. Do you parents know you are straight? Do your friends and/or roommates know?
    6. Why do you insist on flaunting your heterosexuality? Can't you just be who you are and keep it quiet?
    7. Why do heterosexuals put so much emphasis on sex?
    8. Why do heterosexuals feel compelled to introduce others to their lifestyle?
    9. A disproportionate majority of child molesters are heterosexual. Do you consider it wise to expose children to heterosexual teachers?
    10. Just what do men and women do in bed together?
    11. Bearing in mind the current divorce rate, why are there so few stable relationships between heterosexuals?
    12. Considering the menace of overpopulation, how could the human race survive if everyone were heterosexual?
    13. There seem to be very few happy heterosexuals. Techniques have been developed that might enable you to change if you really want to. Why aren’t you prepared to try them?
  12. Il Medico
    Il Medico
    To OP:
    Not so much. I rather like the way I am and can really imagine only finding the opposite sex attractive, the whole concept seems foreign to be now.
  13. ÑóẊîöʼn
    ÑóẊîöʼn
    Being bisexual is one of the things I like about myself, so no.
  14. Angry Young Man
    Angry Young Man
    Who would do such a thing? Gay sex is awesome. Imagine what a bummer the world would be without it.
    Pun unintentional?

    Anyway, I probably would if it was easy enough. Not out of homophobia, I'd just get my willy wet alot more
  15. AmericanRed
    AmericanRed
    No, I wouldn't. Being bisexual makes life more interesting. At the very least, it means I can enjoy more types of pornography.
  16. Angry Young Man
    Angry Young Man
    I'd probably go bisexual if it could do that, but 'curing' sets a bad precedent.
  17. Mendax
    Mendax
    It pretty much depends on my mood as to wether I'd take the "cure" or not although I've had conversations liek this on other sites and the trend seems to be as you get older you become less likely to say yes (not sure why - more sure of yourself? had more sex? more mature?).
    Although If I could I'd probably go Bi-sexual - one fairly big dis-advantage of being gay is the significantly smaller errrr "Target market" (?(Couldn't really think of a suitable word.)).

    and on a side note Salabra thoose questions made me laugh
  18. Summerspeaker
    Summerspeaker
    The notion of sexual orientation itself and the gender distinction that it relies on are what need to be cured.
  19. kombatwombat
    kombatwombat
    I wouldn't. I don't want to be like everyone else. Plus I like kissing guys too much
  20. TheGodlessUtopian
    TheGodlessUtopian
    I don't care what my children turn out to be but I personally love being attracted to guys.I honestly cannot imagine being attracted to a woman.
  21. jaki cold
    Hell no, the sex is too good.
  22. ericksolvi
    I wouldn't change my sexuality, and I'm a full Kinsey 6, never had the slightest desire for women.
    However I certainly wouldn't blame another who wanted to do so. I'm six feet tall 250lb and intimidating (not on purpose, and I kind of wish I were more approachable), I've been punched once in my entire life, and that was for being a drunken ass. In short I have no fear of any kind of violence befalling me. Others might seek shelter in conformity, and that is their choice to make.
    I would not alter my children's sexual development in any way, assuming this sort of thing existed they could make a choice as adults. I would very much like to have children, if I could find a genetically compatible woman who's comfortable with an unusual arrangement I would. Surrogacy just doesn't feel right to me. I would want my children to have a real solid relationship with both me, and their biological mother.
    I come from a particular Nordic culture that has an emphasis on the importance of blood ties. And yes I'm able to reconcile my traditional culture with my political beliefs, my scientific beliefs, my sexuality, even my aesthetic preferences.
  23. Trap Queen Voxxy
    Trap Queen Voxxy
    Absolutely not, I am fine and content with who I am and I don't think there is anything that's needs to be 'cured.'
  24. Valdyr
    Valdyr
    I would absolutely not "cure" myself. It's society that needs to be changed, and I like to think that my openness about sexuality in general is a subtle form of protest (though it is nothing compared to real protest, of course).
  25. El Oso Rojo
    El Oso Rojo
    I am happy with myself, despite being in situations that would and had made me feel bad to be gay.
  26. Zannarchy
    Zannarchy
    Why change who I am?
  27. The Vox Populi
    The Vox Populi
    A cure? That implies a disease.
  28. Captain
    Captain
    I would agree with the Vox
  29. Salabra
    Salabra
    ...and on a side note Salabra thoose questions made me laugh
    Glad to hear it!
  30. Salabra
    Salabra
    I would agree with the Vox
    Me too.
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