I am one of those who actually knows a few homosexuals. They did not choose, nor did they out and out say Hey, pick on me, hit me, throw me out of my family, tease me, kick me, spit on me, throw me out of my church and call me every name but my own. Oh and don't forget to leave me out of my rights as well. I and my spouse believe that gays should get the same rights as we do. No ifs, ands or buts. I assure you that this is not a choice, but an inborn trait--not a chosen behavior. Gays may act like that is the case, but I have been someone who has held them while they cry. No, this is no choice, choice would be to be normal. This is how it is, and people would be much more at ease if they only came to terms with this.

Really, if it were nineteen or twenty people that claimed they were gay, I would agree that it was all in their heads. But doesn't it just seem a tad strange that a couple million people are homosexual in this country? Do you think millions of people would lie or have that all in their heads? Come on. Ignorant, prejudiced bible-thumpers like yourselves seem to have either ignored this or maybe don't believe it. IT's TRUE. Look it up. Homosexuality no where near behavior as you call it.

While I don't agree homosexuality is a choice, I do agree that special rights should not be granted. I do, however, think everyone should have access to the same rights as everyone else.

I know quite a few gays,and I do not believe for one minute they chose their attraction to people of the same sex.Why would someone wish to risk being disowned by their family,beat up in school,and otherwise abused and discriminated against throughout their life? It's not an easy life,from what I've seen.In the past,medical and psychological professionals have tried to cure homosexuality- and failed miserably.There has always been gays and there always will be- get over it for Gods sake! (If God made them-only God should judge them.)

I chose to be gay just as you chose to be straight.

This is kind of a two-part argument, so I'll have to break it down. Regarding the argument that homosexuals choose to be gay: while I am in no position to know personally (I'm straight, and I don't know that many people that are gay, nor do I care to ask such a personal question to them), I would find it odd that someone would have an opportunity to choose to be gay if I surely didn't have to choose to be straight. Secondly, the phrase Special Rights in this context: while I think that no one should have special rights, I don't believe the freedom to marry the person you love is a special right, but it is a right withheld from certain groups of people on the basis of sexual preference. That, to me, appears to be discriminatory. Now, when you look into why this would be a special right by those who oppose the legalization of gay marriage, the argument generally revolves around the definition of marriage 1) being between a male and female and/or 2) being a religious ceremony, therefore it should have limitations set by the religion. So, for 1) marriage being defined as being between a man and woman . . . , it wasnt that long ago that many people also added to the end of that phrase, . . . of the same race, a condition that we now have thankfully done away with. Seeing this slightly-altered argument used in the case of gay marriage as it was used against interracial marriage (which has not caused the downfall of society, except in the eyes of a few extremists) makes for a weak argument. For 2), defining marriage as a religious ceremony, my marriage to my husband was a non-religious one, and I would have serious issue with anyone who would devalue my marriage on that basis. Marriage can be, but does not have to be, religious. While the government should not force any religious group to perform the ceremony that would be against their definition, I dont see a problem with homosexual couples getting married in a courthouse or something. In summary, the first part I wouldnt be able to know, but the second part of the argument seems weak.

I think that those of us that actually know gay people know that this argument is an absolute crock. If you folks lived where I live, know the people that I know, there would be absolutely no doubt in your mind that the vast majority of people in homosexual relationships don't choose to be gay. They just are. And it sort of makes sense, right? If you could choose to be the member of a broadly despised group - a group that is apparently going to hell - would you choose to do that?? Really?? My view is only reinforced by the posts on this topic - reasonable people like PBeavr seem to view homosexuals in the same category as child molestors, rapists, serial killers, and people that practice bestiality - it just strikes me as odd that 13M-26M Americans would choose to be so despised.

ive said it before and i will say it again, honestly, who would ever choose a life of being treated unequally, made fun of, possible physically abused, possible rejection from family and former friends, over being straight. No one. Its just not logical. Being gay isn't the cool thing to do Its a sexual preference no one has control over. No one voluntarily chooses to be the mistreated minority. and i have yet to see someone back up the claim that is a chose with any evidence, every time i ask the question it is avoided.

Having a brother who is gay, and having grown up watching his struggles dealing with it, I am certain that not all gay individuals choose their sexual orientation. They may have a choice regarding how they live their life, but the drive is their from childhood.

I think most of the arguments boil down to this fundamental difference in the way people look at it. When lance was talking the other day about how it is disingenuous (forgive me if I spelled it wrong, Lance uses big words) to equate somebody's race with homosexuality because race cannot be controlled and behavior can. It all comes down to how you look at it. Obviously, if you think that homosexuality is inborn, how could anybody be agianst giving these people equal rights. The argument that says homosexuals would not choose to do this because the consequences of doing so is a weak argument at best. The Germans certainly chose to execute millions of Jews and embark upon the worst war of this century eventually causing their people to be despised by the world not to mention also causing an enormous amount of toil and strife for posterity. Forgive me, but I think homosexuals in this country have suffered far less. HOWEVER, I am not saying that I think homosexuality is a controllable desire. I have spoken to a gay friend who says he thinks that he could be straight under different circumstances, but I have also heard a lot of testimony that says just the opposite. I have heard it said that many gays find the idea of having sex with a woman as disgusting as I find the idea of having sex with a man. If they do feel that way, I honestly feel sorry for them. I dont know what turned their minds towards perversion, but I do believe that it is wrong. I do believe that it can be overcome and I have seen people overcome it. I do not wish to impose this view on others. It is largely a product of my faith. But, this is why I feel the way I do.