I should also mention that I’m a freak and can’t bend my right pinky finger without moving the juxtaposed ring finger in tandem. This would greatly hinder my playing if I played a lefty guitar.
Everybody has that. From a guitar standpoint it’s really a non-issue.
I don’t have that on my left hand. I can move all the digits independently. It can certainly be an issue with guitar playing. It can complicate fretting chords and scale runs if the ring fingers moves when it’s not supposed to. I’m sure it could be worked around, but it sucks.
Django managed just fine without the use of either pinky or ring fingers on his left (fretting) hand. I put in 4 times the effort with twice as many fingers to sound half as good as him.
Maybe I’m misunderstanding something, or maybe I just play the guitar wrong. 
But most people can’t bend their ring fingers in the way I think you’re describing. I see that I can bend the pinky on my fretting (left) hand much further without moving the ring finger, though.
Let me attempt to illustrate my freakishness:
If I tape my pointer, middle, and ring finger of my right hand together and splint them straight, I am completely incapable of moving my pinky finger above the first knuckle. It doesn’t curl. This isn’t the case with my left hand.
Le Ministre, touche. There are some amazing players who don’t (or can’t) use all of their fingers. He’ll, I’ve seen a guy play with his damn feet!!
In my right hand, palm facing down and outstretched, I can move all the fingers completely downward from the second knuckle (counting from the finger tip) independently. That is I can bend my ring finger over 90 degrees downward without moving my pinky and vice versa.
With my left hand, I cannot bend my pinky down without also bending my ring finger.
I believe this is what Flander is describing.
Bingo. 
Learn to play right handed. Starting out fresh as you are, it won’t be THAT much harder and will pay off in the long run. For one thing you’ll be able to play other peoples guitars. If they’re inclined to let you that is!
You will also be able to walk into a guitar store and test drive whatever you want.
Really stick with right hand playing.