The gay cure?

[britishboy]

Could a cure converting homosexuals to be hetrosexuals actually be developed? There are many options today but I'm yet to see one that is actually works.

If a gay cure was developed would it be good or bad? It would be good because those currently undergoing 'cures' are often humiliated and endangering their health. But it is bad because it may make people look at homosexuals as ill people who should be treated.

What do you think?

[Stronk Serb]

Saying that there is a possibility for a cure means that you see homosexuality as a disease. It's not a disease, so no attempts should be made to 'cure' it.

[britishboy]

Saying that there is a possibility for a cure means that you see homosexuality as a disease. It's not a disease, so no attempts should be made to 'cure' it.

Maybe cure is the wrong word, you are right it does imply that. Changing homosexuals into hetrosexuals then.

[sqishy]

As said above, a cure if for a disease. It is no disease, it's a natural difference.
If you really want a cure for homosexuality in humaity, end the human species. And you'll still not be rid of homosexuality.

[Gamma Male]

Why would it be necessary? And what's to stop the same thing from being applied in reverse to heterosexuals who want to be gay?

[Emerald Dream]

Why in the world would you want to force people to be anyone other than who they are??

There is no problem with being homosexual. Therefore, there is no need to force bullshit down anyone else's throat.

[britishboy]

As said above, a cure if for a disease. It is no disease, it's a natural difference.
If you really want a cure for homosexuality in humaity, end the human species. And you'll still not be rid of homosexuality.
There are hundreds of gays that desperately try to change themselves.
Why would it be necessary? And what's to stop the same thing from being applied in reverse to heterosexuals who want to be gay?

I have nothing against that, for example two close straight may want to date romantically as they are so close but they have no sexual attraction so would have to be converted into being gay.

Why in the world would you want to force people to be anyone other than who they are??

There is no problem with being homosexual. Therefore, there is no need to force bullshit down anyone else's throat.

Who said anything about forcing?....

[Harry Smith]

Can we have a cure for straight people as well then?

[britishboy]

Can we have a cure for straight people as well then?

I see no reason not to? I have already answered that.

[sqishy]

There are hundreds of gays that desperately try to change themselves.

They are in self-denial and/or don't accept themselves. Not hundreds but thousands of non-straight peole believe that sexuality can be changed by will, but you can't.
Have you not seen that Channel 4 documentary program 2 weeks ago?

[Harry Smith]

I see no reason not to? I have already answered that.

It's just you do know that your magical medicine doesn't exist-sexually isn't a switch that you just turn on.

You can't wake up take a pill and suddenly become gay, you do know that right?

[britishboy]

They are in self-denial and/or don't accept themselves. Not hundreds but thousands of non-straight peole believe that sexuality can be changed by will, but you can't.
Have you not seen that Channel 4 documentary program 2 weeks ago?

Or religion, I think religion is the main driving force. No I did not, should I have?

It's just you do know that your magical medicine doesn't exist-sexually isn't a switch that you just turn on.

You can't wake up take a pill and suddenly become gay, you do know that right?

Yes I do realise that.

[sqishy]

Or religion, I think religion is the main driving force. No I did not, should I have?


Fundamentalist and some conservative religions and religous ideas are what are causing this belief, yes I agree.

[Harry Smith]

What's the point of this thread?

-There's no medical proof that a gay cure exists
-There's no medical chance of it.
-It's the 21th Century

[britishboy]

-There's no medical proof that a gay cure exists
-There's no medical chance of it.
-It's the 21th Century

Correct
Incorrect
Correct

[Harry Smith]

Correct
Incorrect
Correct


Oh so there's now a medical chance? Please inform me of this wonderful straight laced drug.

for example two close straight may want to date romantically as they are so close but they have no sexual attraction

I also saw this comment earlier about a anti-gay cure and well it made me chuckle-it makes no sense at all

[britishboy]

Oh so there's now a medical chance? Please inform me of this wonderful straight laced drug

There is a difference between a chance and existence....

[Harry Smith]

There is a difference between a chance and existence....

Yes, but there's still no chance of a gay cure. Just like there's no chance to bring someone back to life after there head has been cut off

[britishboy]

Yes, but there's still no chance of a gay cure. Just like there's no chance to bring someone back to life after there head has been cut off

There is always a chance I don't have an idea how to but that does not make it impossible. Why is it impossible Harry? Difficult yes, expensive more so but not impossible.

[Bmble_B]

I find this offensive to be honest? How can a natural preference be a disease? If you're gay theres nothing wrong with you at all, its just what you like.

[britishboy]

I find this offensive to be honest? How can a natural preference be a disease? If you're gay theres nothing wrong with you at all, its just what you like.

Nobody said it was a disease.

[Bmble_B]

Nobody said it was a disease.
well wow, now I feel stupid :whoops:

[britishboy]

well wow, now I feel stupid :whoops:

Don't worry about it :P I should have worded it better :)

[Harry Smith]

There is always a chance I don't have an idea how to but that does not make it impossible. Why is it impossible Harry? Difficult yes, expensive more so but not impossible.

No there's not always a chance-that's physically wrong. Blank statements like that just make you look foolish.

It's impossible for several reasons, you've presented it throughout as a cure. This heavily implies that it's a medical treatment e.g pill, injection so on. These methods have been used in the past on people like Alan Turing-all they did was cause him to be infertile-they didn't stop him wanting a male upon male relationship. History proves you wrong

This is something you need to understand for your argument-sexually isn't just a box you tick or a button you press. It's not just about sex or about physical relationships-it's the idea that you actually want to be in a long term loving relationship with someone of the same sex, you can't just change that because that's like saying you could have a cure for Autism. You can take medication which removes your sexual urges but you can't stop the physiological desire for a relationship with medicine. Homosexuality isn't like cancer-you can't take a test to measure how gay you are at a hospital and your GP isn't going to say 'well done we've managed to kill 50% of the gay'. To put it in Leymans terms-it's too complex to cure

I'm also very concerned that someone who has claimed about 10 times on VT to be 'pro LGBT rights' is almost supporting the ideas that gays should be cured. Heck I don't even think we should be discussing it because it's such a stupid topic that belongs in the 1950's-we've legalized gay marriage in Britain in the last week-gays don't need curing. Understand?

[Typhlosion]

Because some people dislike homosexuality, for religious reasons or not, if one of such people happens to become what it hates then it'll search for a cure, let it be religious centers or medicine. I disbelieve in the possibility for a true gay cure, but if such is possible, let it be researched.

There would be a drawback, whole states and nations that officially repress the homosexuals would try and "vaccinate" the people. So, it should never be available cheap, like sex reassignment. The relative difficulty in getting one makes sure that only the certain do so.

No there's not always a chance-that's physically wrong. Blank statements like that just make you look foolish.

It's impossible for several reasons, you've presented it throughout as a cure. This heavily implies that it's a medical treatment e.g pill, injection so on. These methods have been used in the past on people like Alan Turing-all they did was cause him to be infertile-they didn't stop him wanting a male upon male relationship. History proves you wrong It doesn't mean that history found that something's 100% unsuccessful that it is. Alchemy, in a looser sense, is doable through particle accelerators. No one before had transformed something else into gold. R.I.P. Turing, by the way.

This is something you need to understand for your argument-sexually isn't just a box you tick or a button you press. Neither was alchemy. Still isn't!

It's not just about sex or about physical relationships-it's the idea that you actually want to be in a long term loving relationship with someone of the same sex, you can't just change that because that's like saying you could have a cure for Autism. You can take medication which removes your sexual urges but you can't stop the physiological desire for a relationship with medicine. Homosexuality isn't like cancer-you can't take a test to measure how gay you are at a hospital and your GP isn't going to say 'well done we've managed to kill 50% of the gay'. To put it in Leymans terms-it's too complex to cure Complexity is not a guarantee of impossibility. And why assume that it'd kill the gay?


gays don't need curing. Understand? See what I wrote above. Some may want curing, and it is inhumane to deny such to them if we can give such.

Whoops, double post. Remembered to fix, but Emerald Dream did before. Thanks!

[Gigablue]

I think most people have missed the point of this thread. The point wasn't to argue whether or not homosexuality is a disease. It isn't. We should all just agree on that and move on. The original post was asking whether we will ever be able to change sexuality, and what the consequences if that will be.

Could a cure converting homosexuals to be hetrosexuals actually be developed? There are many options today but I'm yet to see one that is actually works.

Cure is a loaded term, but otherwise, yes, it is possible. Sexuality is determined by the brain. As we learn more about the brain, we become more able to alter its function. I see no reason why we couldn't eventually learn about how sexuality manifests itself in the brain and potentially alter it.

Can we have a cure for straight people as well then?

It isn't impossible. Just as we may some day be able to turn gay people straight, we could potentially do the opposite.

You can't wake up take a pill and suddenly become gay, you do know that right?

Not yet, but science progresses. We may some day be able to.

-There's no medical proof that a gay cure exists
-There's no medical chance of it.
-It's the 21th Century

There is currently no way to change sexuality. However, to jump from that to saying that it is impossible is a huge leap. Flight was thought impossible, the someone did it. Going to the moon was thought impossible, then someone did it. Just because we can't do something now doesn't mean we never will be able to. Perhaps we won't be able to do it, but perhaps we will.

It is the twenty first century, and more and more people are now realizing that there is nothing wrong with homosexuality. However, that doesn't mean that there is anything wrong with changing sexuality. If someone wants to change their sexuality, and we were to have the technology to do it, let them.

It's impossible for several reasons, you've presented it throughout as a cure. This heavily implies that it's a medical treatment e.g pill, injection so on. These methods have been used in the past on people like Alan Turing-all they did was cause him to be infertile-they didn't stop him wanting a male upon male relationship. History proves you wrong

Back then, we knew very little about how the brain truly worked. It isn't surprising that they didn't know what they were doing. We know much more now, and will know even more in the future.

I don't know if we will ever be able to change a person's sexuality, but in principle it isn't impossible. I also see no problem with it. If someone wants to change their sexuality, they should be allowed to. We shouldn't force anyone to, and we should recognize that no sexuality is inherently superior or inferior to another. However, if we ever reach to point where people can choose their sexual orientation, why wouldn't we let them?

[Gamma Male]

I agree with Gigablue. If somebody really wants to change their sexuality, they should be able too. It would also be useful for curing pedophilia, an equally natural and unchangable but much more harmful sexuality.
I don't think it should ever be forced upon anyone though, not even violent sex criminals and the like. And you should have to be over 18. Parents should have absolutely no say(legally) as to wether or not their child changes their sexuality.

[Luminous]

Perhaps if a gay gene was found, a...... 'cure', as you call it, could be developed. But as of right now, no, all gay-turned-straight people are just lying to themselves and others. If I could be straight and escape the ridicule of others, I would, but I know it's not going to happen so why lie to myself and pretend it will?

[ksdnfkfr]

There are hundreds of gays that desperately try to change themselves.

That's only because of how society views homosexuality and treats homosexuals.

[Lovelife090994]

That's only because of how society views homosexuality and treats homosexuals.

I see no reason why we should be locked in our sexuality. What if someone wants to change their sexuality?

[PinkFloyd]

Saying that there is a possibility for a cure means that you see homosexuality as a disease. It's not a disease, so no attempts should be made to 'cure' it.

my thoughts exactly.

[Aajj333]

There's nothing to cure. Id be just as happy with a guy then with a girl. I suppose it could be possible if you really wanted too.

[Lovelife090994]

There's nothing to cure. Id be just as happy with a guy then with a girl. I suppose it could be possible if you really wanted too.

Sadly not everyone is as sure as you are. What if someone wants to change or end the confusion?

[ksdnfkfr]

I see no reason why we should be locked in our sexuality. What if someone wants to change their sexuality?

But the thing is why they want to change their sexuality. If it's because they get treated like shit because of it, that's a bad reason.

[Lovelife090994]

But the thing is why they want to change their sexuality. If it's because they get treated like shit because of it, that's a bad reason.

Well, you never know what is in the mind of another person. Me personally I'd change to get the confusion out and for me to not feel so uncertain. I think we should let someone change however way they want as long as they are not forced to change. Homosexuality may not be an illness but not everyone homosexual wants to be and not because of what it entails or brings, they may want a legitimate change.

[ksdnfkfr]

Well, you never know what is in the mind of another person. Me personally I'd change to get the confusion out and for me to not feel so uncertain. I think we should let someone change however way they want as long as they are not forced to change. Homosexuality may not be an illness but not everyone homosexual wants to be and not because of what it entails or brings, they may want a legitimate change.

Most people want to change stuff about themselves. Like if a fat person wants to be thin just because that's what they want to be, that's great. Rather than because they get made fun of. Goes without saying.

[abc983055235235231a]

I think there is actually a legitimate scientific history of successful cognitive therapies for turning gay people straight.

[backjruton]

It's like saying for a cure for autism in my head.

I like being autistic as in some areas it gives me more confidence, slightly more patience and once I start to like something I don't get bored of it as easily as other people. I went to the screen printing room in college just because we have to use the pressure washer to clean the screens and I absolutely love getting splashed by that thing... No one should try to change things people are happy with. IF only the people who wanted it used it and they didn't force a homosexuality cure and autism cure on people I would support that but these are 2 things about myself I don't want to change. Even if I think I've clearly missed the concept of this thread subject :cool: :rolleyes:

EDIT: But I do think some straight guys should have something to atleast make them bisexual. :wub:

[Thelizzerd]

No. Unless you wanna fucking brainwash people. We all know how fucking well that turns out. I think people are so mean lol. It doesn't matter what you are!!!

I see no reason why we should be locked in our sexuality. What if someone wants to change their sexuality?

Agreed I've got a friend who thought he was gay and turned out he was bi I mean it doesn't matter.

Merged double post. -Cygnus David

[abc983055235235231a]

Even if we had some sort of 100% reliable way of turning gay people straight, we really need to make our society such that there is no reason for a gay person to want to be straight. The only reason someone would ever want to convert is because of social pressure.

[xxdrakeTxx]

to my current knowledge there are more than 450 species of animal that engage in homosexual acts . and humans being as animals will have members who are gay it is natural . the idea that gays were bad or need a cure was mainly thought up by christians. not a single species other than ours have read the bible and guess what homophobia or outcasting of homosexual doesnt occur in nature or many pagan cultures . long story short there isnt a cure for a sexuality same as there isnt a cure for being black , white , ape , horse, or goat and there isnt need for one why not cure aids cancer or 3d world hunger

[britishboy]

Even if we had some sort of 100% reliable way of turning gay people straight, we really need to make our society such that there is no reason for a gay person to want to be straight. The only reason someone would ever want to convert is because of social pressure.
You are so narrow minded, what if a gay guy wanted to be straight so he can date a girl he is close with? The same goes for straight men turning gay.
Most people want to change stuff about themselves. Like if a fat person wants to be thin just because that's what they want to be, that's great. Rather than because they get made fun of. Goes without saying.

That is true, the second I am old enough I am getting a nose job. I am getting the nose job because I don't like my nose not because of what others have said.

[Harry Smith]

, what if a gay guy wanted to be straight so he can date a girl he is close with? T

If a GAY guy want's to date a girl he's close with he isn't gay

[abc983055235235231a]

If a GAY guy want's to date a girl he's close with he isn't gay

+1 for knowing what "gay" means

[britishboy]

If a GAY guy want's to date a girl he's close with he isn't gay

Some people may want to date close friends for reasons like trust and connections but lack the sexual attraction. Two straight male friends could turn gay and date each other. In reality however the biggest driving force is religion and gays pursuing what they consider normal.

-edited. Unnecessary. -Emerald Dream

[Harry Smith]

+1 for knowing what "gay" means

I had to get the dictionary out and everything :P


Some people may want to date close friends for reasons like trust and connections but lack the sexual attraction. Two straight male friends could turn gay and date each other. In reality however the biggest driving force is religion and gays pursuing what they consider normal.

That's just no. Do you understand sexuality? I'm sure you have straight male friends who you trust-do you want to sleep with them? Sexuality isn't just a switch where you go 'I feel like a bit of gay sex tonight I'll go take the gay pill''. I don't understand the straw-man about 'gays' pursuing what they consider normal, is this some sort of jibe at homosexuality?

[britishboy]

That's just no. Do you understand sexuality? I'm sure you have straight male friends who you trust-do you want to sleep with them? Sexuality isn't just a switch where you go 'I feel like a bit of gay sex tonight I'll go take the gay pill''. I don't understand the straw-man about 'gays' pursuing what they consider normal, is this some sort of jibe at homosexuality?

Go back and read what I just said, maybe a little more slowly.

[Harry Smith]

Go back and read what I just said, maybe a little more slowly.

The whole premise of your argument ignores sexuality as something that's mentally engraved. I mean the idea that two straight people would somehow change their entire sexual preference to find someone they can trust is wrong because it ignores the fact that a male can have friends who they trust without needing a romantic relationship

[Lovelife090994]

If a GAY guy want's to date a girl he's close with he isn't gay

+1 for knowing what "gay" means

Wow you are so smart how did I miss that? Some people may want to date close friends for reasons like trust and connections but lack the sexual attraction. Two straight male friends could turn gay and date each other. In reality however the biggest driving force is religion and gays pursuing what they consider normal.

No one is 100% anything. Even someone gay isnt 100% into the same gender. By definition labels only tell the dominant preference. Sexuality is physical and mental, it often is fluid and or secure.

[abc983055235235231a]

http://i.imgur.com/sU8aCdl.png

If you have some interest in being in a relationship with someone of a different gender, you probably aren't gay.

Really, if we are going to say things like "no one is 100% anything", it really just means that we need to reevaluate the way we look at sexuality in the first place (which is something I agree we need to do). Ultimately the point I was trying to make is that our society discourages homosexuality, and that could motivate someone to accept a "gay cure", and become straight, and that it is wrong for us to perpetuate that culture.

[phuckphace]

personally I believe that homosexuality falls into at least two main categories, inborn and pathological. in the former case, it appears to arise naturally by as yet unknown factors, and in the latter case through traumatic events in early childhood like sexual abuse. it's not a huge stretch to imagine that sexual abuse during a particularly fragile stage of mental development could have a significant impact on the person's ability to form emotional attachments later in life. Ellen Degeneres, a lesbian, is a high profile example of someone who suffered sexual assault by male relatives as a young girl.
a lot of male homosexuals are similarly emotionally detached and as a result hyper-promiscuous. there is even a certain subset called "bug chasers" who get off on willingly infecting themselves with HIV. MY BODY MY CHOICE BIGOT

I myself am gay despite being raised in a conservative and stable WASP home, as well as mentally healthy, so at least some cases can be considered natural. as for whether there is a feasible cure, that's above my pay grade.

now cue 10,000 replies that are all UGH BIGOT DID YOU KNOW THAT UM CORRELATION DOES NOT LIKE, IMPLY CAUSATION AND STUFF?!

[Miserabilia]

The word "cure" is wrong here.


cure
[kyoor]
noun
1.
a means of healing or restoring to health; remedy.
2.
a method or course of remedial treatment, as for disease.
3.
successful remedial treatment; restoration to health.
4.
a means of correcting or relieving anything that is troublesome or detrimental: to seek a cure for inflation.


--------

Homosexuals have normal health and homosexuality is not troublesome,
so the word cure is a little off here.

If you were however to find a way to alter homosexuals into being heterosexual, I think that would be impossible.
I think homosexuality is caused deep inside and not just by one cause, it would be impossible to completely change it, unless you change their whole minds;
but that's terrible.

[abc983055235235231a]

The word "cure" is wrong here.


cure
[kyoor]
noun
1.
a means of healing or restoring to health; remedy.
2.
a method or course of remedial treatment, as for disease.
3.
successful remedial treatment; restoration to health.
4.
a means of correcting or relieving anything that is troublesome or detrimental: to seek a cure for inflation.


--------

Homosexuals have normal health and homosexuality is not troublesome,
so the word cure is a little off here.

If you were however to find a way to alter homosexuals into being heterosexual, I think that would be impossible.
I think homosexuality is caused deep inside and not just by one cause, it would be impossible to completely change it, unless you change their whole minds;
but that's terrible.

You're right that the word "cure" isn't really the right word to be using (though I expect that it's the word that would be used, should such a thing come into existence). I think that unless anyone is taking offense to it, it is probably the easiest thing to use in this conversation. If you have another simply way of referring to such a thing, though, I'd happily entertain it.

I don't think that it is impossible in principle to turn homosexuals into heterosexuals. I said in an earlier comment that there is a body of scientific literature that reports success using psychotherapies to turn gay people into straight people. It's probably true that homosexuality (and heterosexuality, and any and all other sexual orientations) are caused by all sorts of interacting factors, that doesn't mean that you have to change all of them in order to get rid of homosexuality. And insofar as human sexuality is inherently fluid (which many have argued that it is), it would probably be easier to shift a person in any direction using such therapies. It's less likely that it is strictly biologically caused; but, in the case that it is, understanding that could still allow us to come up with some sort of treatment that would counteract those biological things.

[Miserabilia]

You're right that the word "cure" isn't really the right word to be using (though I expect that it's the word that would be used, should such a thing come into existence). I think that unless anyone is taking offense to it, it is probably the easiest thing to use in this conversation. If you have another simply way of referring to such a thing, though, I'd happily entertain it.

I don't think that it is impossible in principle to turn homosexuals into heterosexuals. I said in an earlier comment that there is a body of scientific literature that reports success using psychotherapies to turn gay people into straight people. It's probably true that homosexuality (and heterosexuality, and any and all other sexual orientations) are caused by all sorts of interacting factors, that doesn't mean that you have to change all of them in order to get rid of homosexuality. And insofar as human sexuality is inherently fluid (which many have argued that it is), it would probably be easier to shift a person in any direction using such therapies. It's less likely that it is strictly biologically caused; but, in the case that it is, understanding that could still allow us to come up with some sort of treatment that would counteract those biological things.

You can change them, but they won't BE heterosexual inside;
their therapy can change the way they respond to things, but it can't completely change their inner workings.

I can't relaly put it into words,
but they aren't really changed,
it's more like a new layer of heterosexual paint on their mind,
even though that sound really vague metaphoricaly xD

[Karkat]

it's the idea that you actually want to be in a long term loving relationship with someone of the same sex, you can't just change that because that's like saying you could have a cure for Autism. You can take medication which removes your sexual urges but you can't stop the physiological desire for a relationship with medicine. Homosexuality isn't like cancer-you can't take a test to measure how gay you are at a hospital and your GP isn't going to say 'well done we've managed to kill 50% of the gay'. To put it in Leymans terms-it's too complex to cure

I'm also very concerned that someone who has claimed about 10 times on VT to be 'pro LGBT rights' is almost supporting the ideas that gays should be cured. Heck I don't even think we should be discussing it because it's such a stupid topic that belongs in the 1950's-we've legalized gay marriage in Britain in the last week-gays don't need curing. Understand?

-Er, sexuality and love aren't entirely related. Nor are sexuality and romantic attraction. Some just don't care about relationships, but want sex. Some want relationships, but not sex. Some are in-between. There's really more than one thing involved here.

-Good comparison to autism for a few reasons. For one thing, like autism, there are some who are ok with who they are, and there are some that aren't. However, part of the thing with autism is it affects quality of life biologically- whereas the quality of life of homosexuals is affected by society. One can be changed within the person, the other can't.

-I agree. It most likely is too complex to cure. There are a lot of different factors to it- sexuality seems to be a blanket term for a few different things, for one. And for another, it's just complicated. We haven't cured autism, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, homosexuality is not in the same league for priority, it's different than the above, and it's also less finite.

-I don't think the discussion should be banned, I think in terms of theoretics it's a debate to be had. Almost everyone in here seems to only look at their side of the deal, you're all taking this way too seriously.

I agree with Gigablue. If somebody really wants to change their sexuality, they should be able too. It would also be useful for curing pedophilia, an equally natural and unchangable but much more harmful sexuality.
I don't think it should ever be forced upon anyone though, not even violent sex criminals and the like. And you should have to be over 18. Parents should have absolutely no say(legally) as to wether or not their child changes their sexuality.

Aye, good point- sexual attraction to animals and children should be something that is chemically looked into, if possible.

I mean, psychopaths and sociopaths are natural, they have something going wrong in their brain, I feel that while paedophiles are sick, people tend to misunderstand them.

Wrong kind of sick. Mental illness ≠ bad person.

That's only because of how society views homosexuality and treats homosexuals.

Not necessarily. For the most part, I agree, but like, I wish I could change my sexuality. For a few reasons.

1. It's freaking complicated, I feel like labels don't accurately describe me, and I'm constantly confused and bewildered
2. I wish I was more sexual.
3. I can't relate to anyone, and while the names I get called/etc are hurtful, I just don't particularly like where I stand. It's not a matter of understanding or being understood so much as I feel like a part of me is dead.

I think most who want to change their sexuality are influenced by society, but I think some have other reasons.

I see no reason why we should be locked in our sexuality. What if someone wants to change their sexuality?

Well if it's genetic, it's clearly not that simple. However, it's ok to question one's own sexuality, you discover what you like, and are interested in, and what you don't.

I think most who 'change' their sexuality (who aren't force-fed therapy, that is) just didn't realize it to begin with. Or were experimenting, more than anything.

But the thing is why they want to change their sexuality. If it's because they get treated like shit because of it, that's a bad reason.

Exactly.

It's like saying for a cure for autism in my head.

I like being autistic as in some areas it gives me more confidence, slightly more patience and once I start to like something I don't get bored of it as easily as other people. I went to the screen printing room in college just because we have to use the pressure washer to clean the screens and I absolutely love getting splashed by that thing... No one should try to change things people are happy with. IF only the people who wanted it used it and they didn't force a homosexuality cure and autism cure on people I would support that but these are 2 things about myself I don't want to change. Even if I think I've clearly missed the concept of this thread subject :cool: :rolleyes:

EDIT: But I do think some straight guys should have something to atleast make them bisexual. :wub:

I think there should be ways to cure PARTS of autism- I mean, it can be disabling. Sure, there are ways to help certain things with therapy, but at the same time, sometimes it isn't enough.

But I don't think autism should be cured entirely. Most of us are perfectly content with who we are- it's just working out the kinks can be crazy sometimes. (And sometimes, that's putting it lightly)

But I agree- if it wasn't forced, I would be for...Treatments for at least parts of both.

Even if we had some sort of 100% reliable way of turning gay people straight, we really need to make our society such that there is no reason for a gay person to want to be straight. The only reason someone would ever want to convert is because of social pressure.

Agree entirely. I mean, aside from the last sentence- though I might be misunderstanding you.

I don't feel pressured by society to change, I feel pressured by the fact that my life is already complicated, and I'm not happy with who I am. Not because of society, but because of my life in general. I couldn't give two fucks about society- hell, I'm bigender, and that's one thing I wouldn't change.

why not cure aids cancer or 3d world hunger

Bingo. Priorities.



That's just no. Do you understand sexuality? I'm sure you have straight male friends who you trust-do you want to sleep with them? Sexuality isn't just a switch where you go 'I feel like a bit of gay sex tonight I'll go take the gay pill''. I don't understand the straw-man about 'gays' pursuing what they consider normal, is this some sort of jibe at homosexuality?

Do YOU understand sexuality? While I agree that it's absurd to think that someone can or should be able to switch from one thing to the other constantly, this kind of sounds like you're writing off any orientation other than straight or gay.

No one is 100% anything. Even someone gay isnt 100% into the same gender. By definition labels only tell the dominant preference. Sexuality is physical and mental, it often is fluid and or secure.

Pretty much. You still identify as gay and find some girls attractive, or have had a relationship with a woman if you're a man. If you don't feel that a label is right for you, don't use it. If you can't find a label at all, forget 'em.


Really, if we are going to say things like "no one is 100% anything", it really just means that we need to reevaluate the way we look at sexuality in the first place (which is something I agree we need to do). Ultimately the point I was trying to make is that our society discourages homosexuality, and that could motivate someone to accept a "gay cure", and become straight, and that it is wrong for us to perpetuate that culture.

Exactly.

You can change them, but they won't BE heterosexual inside;
their therapy can change the way they respond to things, but it can't completely change their inner workings.

I can't relaly put it into words,
but they aren't really changed,
it's more like a new layer of heterosexual paint on their mind,
even though that sound really vague metaphoricaly xD

Agreed. Though to be fair, in my instance, I'll take a fucking coat of paint over nothing.

[britishboy]

The whole premise of your argument ignores sexuality as something that's mentally engraved. I mean the idea that two straight people would somehow change their entire sexual preference to find someone they can trust is wrong because it ignores the fact that a male can have friends who they trust without needing a romantic relationship

It is a road I would never go down. The main source of those coming forward will be religious people and those who have fell to peer pressure.

[backjruton]

I think there should be ways to cure PARTS of autism- I mean, it can be disabling. Sure, there are ways to help certain things with therapy, but at the same time, sometimes it isn't enough.

But I don't think autism should be cured entirely. Most of us are perfectly content with who we are- it's just working out the kinks can be crazy sometimes. (And sometimes, that's putting it lightly)

But I agree- if it wasn't forced, I would be for...Treatments for at least parts of both.

Haha... HI :D

The only thing I have a problem with is how angry I get sometimes, other than that I'm perfectly fine. I know this is partly bad for my health but if I wasn't autistic I probably wouldn't be able to spend so long sat at the computer without getting bored... My obsession with a certain skill on RuneScape has got even more since last April. There are some advantages to it. I like being weird, even if it causes me big problems when I'm around people I don't know and the ability to be really awkward and confident when I do know people... but funnily enough; I wouldn't be able to speak with them outside of college, and I can't speak to people I used to be friends with in school, because I somehow now think I'm only comfortable speaking with people I've known in real face-to-face. This is my random social anxiety that seems to be getting worse even though I have more friends than I did in school and am able to talk to more people. I recently took another online test (http://rdos.net/eng/Aspie-quiz.php) on autism because I've been diagnosed with it clearly and I want to know what the internet thinks, and I think what it came back with is that I'm 85% autistic and 15% neurotypical, I'm perfectly happy with that because at least it makes me different to everyone else :D There's also this too (http://archive.wired.com/wired/archive/9.12/aqtest.html) if you're interested and want to answer them both to see what it says :)

I love how I've always been able to connect easier with younger people because of it and how people always have described me as interesting, likeable, funny and friendly (once I get to know them). I could do with something for my random anxiety issues, slight anger problems and something to do with my weight because even though I look good from the front I look horrible from the sides (haha), and if this could be provided in something with no negative side effects I would be perfectly happy. I would probably be happier to take meds for some of my issues (as long as they didn't change me too much) if there weren't any negative side effects, because on some days I get headaches enough already...

And as for these 2...


Do YOU understand sexuality? While I agree that it's absurd to think that someone can or should be able to switch from one thing to the other constantly, this kind of sounds like you're writing off any orientation other than straight or gay.

Wow you are so smart how did I miss that? Some people may want to date close friends for reasons like trust and connections but lack the sexual attraction. Two straight male friends could turn gay and date each other. In reality however the biggest driving force is religion and gays pursuing what they consider normal.

I think you're right here but I don't really understand. Like my signature says, I think I'm now calling myself a homosexual biromantic after going through everything in my head once again as I could consider a relationship with my friend if we didn't have too much physical contact. I prefer the kinda cheeky way we are with eachother, I wouldn't want any hugging or anything else atleast for a very long time. You can be gay in the one aspect but still have romantic attractions towards girls too, that's one thing I've started to realize. He did clearly ignore the point. Although; I don't really trust my friend, I have big trust issues with a lot of people, but we are quite close with eachother and a lot like eachother so I guess I could use that as a reason to. As long as we weren't too invasive on eachother, I'd be happy with that.

[Karkat]

Haha... HI :D

The only thing I have a problem with is how angry I get sometimes, other than that I'm perfectly fine. I know this is partly bad for my health but if I wasn't autistic I probably wouldn't be able to spend so long sat at the computer without getting bored... My obsession with a certain skill on RuneScape has got even more since last April. There are some advantages to it. I like being weird, even if it causes me big problems when I'm around people I don't know and the ability to be really awkward and confident when I do know people... but funnily enough; I wouldn't be able to speak with them outside of college, and I can't speak to people I used to be friends with in school, because I somehow now think I'm only comfortable speaking with people I've known in real face-to-face. This is my random social anxiety that seems to be getting worse even though I have more friends than I did in school and am able to talk to more people. I recently took another online test (http://rdos.net/eng/Aspie-quiz.php) on autism because I've been diagnosed with it clearly and I want to know what the internet thinks, and I think what it came back with is that I'm 85% autistic and 15% neurotypical, I'm perfectly happy with that because at least it makes me different to everyone else :D There's also this too (http://archive.wired.com/wired/archive/9.12/aqtest.html) if you're interested and want to answer them both to see what it says :)

I love how I've always been able to connect easier with younger people because of it and how people always have described me as interesting, likeable, funny and friendly (once I get to know them). I could do with something for my random anxiety issues, slight anger problems and something to do with my weight because even though I look good from the front I look horrible from the sides (haha), and if this could be provided in something with no negative side effects I would be perfectly happy. I would probably be happier to take meds for some of my issues (as long as they didn't change me too much) if there weren't any negative side effects, because on some days I get headaches enough already...

And as for these 2...





I think you're right here but I don't really understand. Like my signature says, I think I'm now calling myself a homosexual biromantic after going through everything in my head once again as I could consider a relationship with my friend if we didn't have too much physical contact. I prefer the kinda cheeky way we are with eachother, I wouldn't want any hugging or anything else atleast for a very long time. You can be gay in the one aspect but still have romantic attractions towards girls too, that's one thing I've started to realize. He did clearly ignore the point. Although; I don't really trust my friend, I have big trust issues with a lot of people, but we are quite close with eachother and a lot like eachother so I guess I could use that as a reason to. As long as we weren't too invasive on eachother, I'd be happy with that.

I've taken both of those at one point. My therapist writes it off as "bullshit" and says there's "no way I could be autistic", but this is because I don't talk in a monotone and occasionally appreciate humour.

Which also writes off practically every other autistic person I've met. So if I'm going to seek out a diagnosis (or lack of one), I'm going to go to someone who is an expert in that area...

Yeah, sexuality is a complicated thing.

[backjruton]

I've taken both of those at one point. My therapist writes it off as "bullshit" and says there's "no way I could be autistic", but this is because I don't talk in a monotone and occasionally appreciate humour.

Which also writes off practically every other autistic person I've met. So if I'm going to seek out a diagnosis (or lack of one), I'm going to go to someone who is an expert in that area...

Yeah, sexuality is a complicated thing.

Yeah... I'm not quite sure if the woman we're speaking to right now is properly specialized. She's more of a counsillor, someone people go to when they're having emotional problems, which is partly why we're seeing her now... My mum noticed around December I've been getting more stressed recently so she called an appointment which we had on 5th March but instead of speaking about the stress thing (as I was actually a lot more happier at the time of the appointment... I'm still feeling the anger but I'm trying to control some of it more) we're talking about the weight instead as it's something my parents are worried about and I could certainly do with being thinner, although they will probably want to change me properly when I only want to drop around 5 or 6 stone and they probably want me to drop the actual healthy-ish 9 or 10. She must be specialized if she was the person to diagnose me with it and also be partly involved with getting the money too. Someone like that is better because it's nice to have the emotional support as well as having someone who knows what you're going through in that aspect, we probably spent more time talking about my general feelings as I definitely was more depressed back then than the time we spent actually trying to work the other thing out.

In a way I personally think everyone at a certain age should be tested because they could all be missing out on the extra help and stuff that they're entitled to; I didn't get any proper help in school until year 10 when we found out I actually had these problems... I think I was always on the look-out list anyway but not so much until we actually knew what was going on. Your therapist shouldn't try to pass anything YOU think is there just because you don't speak in that way; I'm not even sure if I have a monotonous voice but that's because I've never really asked anyone. I appreciate some humour, although I don't really find some things as funny as other people do and I get more annoyed quite often at things people say to me. I've recently started to look up for more information on sensory overloads because I think mine are getting triggered quite often recently.

[Karkat]

Yeah... I'm not quite sure if the woman we're speaking to right now is properly specialized. She's more of a counsillor, someone people go to when they're having emotional problems, which is partly why we're seeing her now... My mum noticed around December I've been getting more stressed recently so she called an appointment which we had on 5th March but instead of speaking about the stress thing (as I was actually a lot more happier at the time of the appointment... I'm still feeling the anger but I'm trying to control some of it more) we're talking about the weight instead as it's something my parents are worried about and I could certainly do with being thinner, although they will probably want to change me properly when I only want to drop around 5 or 6 stone and they probably want me to drop the actual healthy-ish 9 or 10. She must be specialized if she was the person to diagnose me with it and also be partly involved with getting the money too. Someone like that is better because it's nice to have the emotional support as well as having someone who knows what you're going through in that aspect, we probably spent more time talking about my general feelings as I definitely was more depressed back then than the time we spent actually trying to work the other thing out.

In a way I personally think everyone at a certain age should be tested because they could all be missing out on the extra help and stuff that they're entitled to; I didn't get any proper help in school until year 10 when we found out I actually had these problems... I think I was always on the look-out list anyway but not so much until we actually knew what was going on. Your therapist shouldn't try to pass anything YOU think is there just because you don't speak in that way; I'm not even sure if I have a monotonous voice but that's because I've never really asked anyone. I appreciate some humour, although I don't really find some things as funny as other people do and I get more annoyed quite often at things people say to me. I've recently started to look up for more information on sensory overloads because I think mine are getting triggered quite often recently.

Yeah, I generally have to speak out if I want my issues resolved during therapy. :P

Yeah, I agree with that as well. Had I known I had ADHD or bipolar EARLIER, I could've been saved a lot of grief.

I have serious problems with sensory overload. Especially if it involves sight or sound. :|

[Landbuscus97]

Can we have a cure for straight people as well then?

Lol love this response

[imthomas]

Let people be who they are

[StrangerDanger]

There is always a chance I don't have an idea how to but that does not make it impossible. Why is it impossible Harry? Difficult yes, expensive more so but not impossible.

I'm getting some homophobic vibes from this post. You seem to want a 'cure' for homosexuals, as if we aren't living in the 21st century. I won't be surprised if you want to know if there's a cure for black people.

[mrmee]

The gay cure= give any guy an opportune moment to "get busy" with a girl and nature should kick in.

[Star Wolf]

Why do people choose to be homophobic? D;

Christianity itself says to love thy neighbor and leave judgment up to God, so people cannot use religion as an excuse. Those conversion camps don't help people, it just makes them lie to themselves, and says it is wrong to be who they are. One in every ten people are born gay, so whether people like it or not, it is normal.

I wish we all could just look past our differences and accept each-other as human beings, instead of discriminating against an entire group and making them second class citizens.

[Gigablue]

The gay cure= give any guy an opportune moment to "get busy" with a girl and nature should kick in.

This is quite possibly the most ignorant thing I've seen in a while. Gay guys, by definition, don't want to have sex with girls. They aren't unnatural is any way, they simply aren't in the majority.

Consider the opposite argument. 'The straight cure = give any guy an opportune moment to "get busy" with a guy and nature should kick in'. This probably sounds completely ridiculous to you, but what you said is just as absurd.

There are plenty of gay people who have had sex with members of the opposite sex, either to try to 'fix' themselves, to try to seem normal, to try to figure out their own sexuality, or for other reasons. If what you are saying is true, any gay guy who has sex with a girl should become straight. This is demonstrably untrue.

Ugh! OMG!

What is it with people and homophobia? Those conversion camps don't help people, it just makes them lie to themselves.

Conversion camps do absolutely nothing to a persons sexual orientation, and are likely to cause severe psychological problems, but it is possible that there could be some way to change sexuality. We haven't found any way to yet, and it could very well be impossible, but sexuality is just another trait determined by the brain' structure and biochemistry. It isn't impossible that we could change it.

[darkangel91]

It's almost certainly possible, and quite certainly evil. I like being gay. I don't want to change that, ever.

[mrmee]

This is quite possibly the most ignorant thing I've seen in a while. Gay guys, by definition, don't want to have sex with girls. They aren't unnatural is any way, they simply aren't in the majority.

Consider the opposite argument. 'The straight cure = give any guy an opportune moment to "get busy" with a guy and nature should kick in'. This probably sounds completely ridiculous to you, but what you said is just as absurd.

There are plenty of gay people who have had sex with members of the opposite sex, either to try to 'fix' themselves, to try to seem normal, to try to figure out their own sexuality, or for other reasons. If what you are saying is true, any gay guy who has sex with a girl should become straight. This is demonstrably untrue.



Conversion camps do absolutely nothing to a persons sexual orientation, and are likely to cause severe psychological problems, but it is possible that there could be some way to change sexuality. We haven't found any way to yet, and it could very well be impossible, but sexuality is just another trait determined by the brain' structure and biochemistry. It isn't impossible that we could change it.
First and foremost, calm yo self. Second, the purpose of sex is for reproduction, and obviously, gay sex deos NOT have any chance to reproduce. Conside your tangent on a sarcastic response partially disproven.

I really hope you are sarcastic.
I really really hope that.

And yes, it was sarcastic. I'm not homophobic, but I do catagorize gay people different than straight people. It's because they simply are different. And before you criticize me saying I'm a dumbass and don't know what I'm talking about, just do yourself a favor, and think. Country people and city people; they're different. I dispise a lot of how city people live, but I don't hate them or want to change them. I live in the country. It's what I grew up around, and its what I know and love. I dispise what gay people do differently, which is significantly little, but I don't hate them and don't want to change them.
However, if a gay person wants to be straight for whatever reason, and there might be a "cure" out there somewhere, what's so bad about trying to find it? Be yourself, with a tweak if personally wanted.

-edited. Unnecessary. -Emerald Dream.

[Gigablue]

First and foremost, calm yo self. Second, the purpose of sex is for reproduction, and obviously, gay sex deos NOT have any chance to reproduce. Conside your tangent on a sarcastic response partially disproven.

Sex is not purely for reproduction. Ever since the invention of contraception, sex has been divorced from reproduction. People have sex very often purely for pleasure. There are many circumstances where heterosexual sex does not have any chance of reproduction either.

[Harry Smith]

First and foremost, calm yo self. Second, the purpose of sex is for reproduction, and obviously, And yes, it was sarcastic. I'm not homophobic, but I do catagorize gay people different than straight people. . I dispise what gay people do differently, which is significantly little, but I don't hate them and don't want to change them.


I mean your argument rests on the fact that sex is for reproduction-how come old people have sex? Or sterile people? How come people do foreplay?

-edited. Unnecessary. -Emerald Dream

[Emerald Dream]

Let's please calm down with the thinly veiled attempts at insulting each other or being a smartass with the sarcasm. Either stay on topic and be civil, or this thread is being locked and I will deal with it further.

[Karkat]

I'm getting some homophobic vibes from this post. You seem to want a 'cure' for homosexuals, as if we aren't living in the 21st century. I won't be surprised if you want to know if there's a cure for black people.

Frankly, I'd love to tweak my sexuality. There are ways that topics like these CAN be homophobic, but I don't see why "what if someone wants to change themselves" should turn into "you're all homophobic".

And, you know, it's sad, but sometimes darker people DO want to be lighter. THAT is entirely due to societal pressure- skin color affects very few things. Sexuality affects a person's life, whereas looks are fairly superficial.

The gay cure= give any guy an opportune moment to "get busy" with a girl and nature should kick in.

Funny, I have sex with my boyfriend, but still find boobs arousing. My sexuality isn't changed by my encounters with one sex or the other.

Also, put me in the room with a random naked guy or girl and I will most likely do nothing to them.

Well that's a lie- I might talk to them.

[Cpt_Cutter]

My personal belief is while it is not necessary, it will at some point in the future become readily available.

[Snydergate]

Saying there is a cure, would mean you think homosexuality is a disease. Its a choice of life. If something was developed, which it never will, it would be something that changed how people think and act. Thats mind control....thats wrong. VERY WRONG.

[Karkat]

Saying there is a cure, would mean you think homosexuality is a disease. Its a choice of life. If something was developed, which it never will, it would be something that changed how people think and act. Thats mind control....thats wrong. VERY WRONG.

For all intents and purposes, so are mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, antidepressants- while mental illness is different from homosexuality in just about every way possible, the 'mind control' you described is very much already happening now. On a wide scale. And as someone who is being medicated for bipolar disorder, for the most part, it's a good thing.

As far as treatment for sexuality (considering the fact that homosexuality is not the only factor here), society is certainly not ready for something like that. It would ABSOLUTELY be misused. However, that's not going to stop extremists from trying to find/develop something. I like how no one here who says it's impossible is a scientist of any kind, and that very few who have said it's impossible have come even close to explaining why.

A couple of you have succeeded in coming up with a reasonable, hypothetical reason as to why it probably WON'T happen, and I agree, but it amuses me that a discussion that should be based so much in science has mostly referenced politics.

What have I said about science and politics? They do not like to work together. Thus the politicians who say that the female reproductive system can shut down in case of the so-called "legitimate rape". (Because I'm pretty sure most rape is legitimate? Sure, you have the girls who cry wolf and perpetuate rape culture, but the last time I checked, most rape actually goes unreported.)